Last Date for Tax Filing: Form 16 Explained & How to Use It

The last date of filing IT for every individual in this country is July 31 for the assessment year 2024-25. Both salaried and self-employed individuals can start filing their IT from June onwards. Form 16 is a vital document for Indian taxpayers and employees. It plays a crucial role in tax filing, loan applications, and other financial transactions.

What is Form 16

Form 16 is a certificate issued by employers in India to their employees. It provides a detailed record of the employee’s earnings and the amount of tax deducted at source (TDS) and deposited with the government during the financial year. The form 16 includes employees PAN (Permanent Account Number), the employer’s TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account No), Salary Income, Deductions, under various sections of IT act, and TDS.

It serves as the proof of the TDS deducted by the employer. It is generally issued to the employee by the employer before June 15.

Form 16 has two parts – Part A and Part B

Form 16 – Part A

• PAN Number
• TDS collected and TAN deducted and deposited every quarter
• Book Identification Number if the tax is deposited by the government without challan
• Chalan no, if the payment is made through bank

Form 16 – Part B

• Employee’s Income with their salary details
• Deductions from the salary approved under Chapter VI-A
• Other Information: Details about any other income earned by the employee, such as house rent allowance, etc.

Uses of Form 16:

1. Income Tax Filing: It simplifies the process of filing income tax returns by summarizing salary details and TDS information.
2. Proof of Income: Serves as a legal proof of income, useful when applying for loans or credit cards.
3. Tax Calculation: Helps in verifying the accuracy of tax calculations and ensuring that the right amount of tax has been paid.

Form 16 is crucial for both employees and employers to comply with tax regulations and maintain financial transparency. It is an important document for salaried employees as it helps them claim tax refunds

Important Points:

• Verification: Always ensure that the details mentioned in Form 16 are correct and match your salary slips.
• Digital Form 16: Many employers issue Form 16 digitally, which you can access through their online portal or HRMS system.
• Multiple Forms: If you have worked for multiple employers during the year, you will receive a separate Form 16 from each employer.