Spotting Fake Form 16s: How Can You Tell If It's Genuine?

Hi all, can anybody please tell me how to identify a fake Form 16?

Identifying Fake Form 16 Documents

Firstly, you can't identify a fake Form 16 against the original easily, but I would suggest that you read the clauses carefully and compare them to the original one. Look out for the official seal if it's already been executed.

Secondly, collect the company-related original details of deductions and ask for the verification slip from the company. In case of huge fraud or misrepresentation, you may seek assistance from the Income Tax Department by providing the employee tax code details to them and lodge a complaint.

For more details, call the toll-free number [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons] and inquire about the steps taken to prevent fraud and how to distinguish between a fake and an original. (It's a Toll-Free Government Official Number, Ayakar Seva Kendras).

In fact, I did call them up. The first call was disconnected. The second time, I spoke to a person who could not grasp the question and said he would transfer the call to his senior. After waiting for a few minutes, he informed me that the senior was busy and there is only one Form 16. I thought there was no point in continuing the conversation, so I said I would call them later. Funny and weird experiences! Relying on official sources in many matters is often just a waste of time.

Cross-verifying with the company that issued the acknowledgments is the best way to differentiate between fake and original documents.

Visit the tin-nsdl website, then click on the Verification of TDS certificate column. Next, choose Click here to verify Form16. A new window will open, requesting the following details:

- TAN of Employer
- PAN of Employee
- Certificate Number
- Amount Deducted
- Image Input

After entering these details, click on Submit. There you go...

Visit the tin-nsdl website, then click on the Verification of TDS Certificate column. Next, choose Click here to verify Form 16. A new window will open asking for the following details:

- TAN of Employer
- PAN of Employee
- Certificate Number
- Amount Deducted
- Image Input

Then click on Submit. There you go...

This is the verification of TDS transactions when the execution of Form 16 is done, to know the status of the transaction. One good way suggested, thank you... "Common sense is not so common."

Verification of Form 16 and Form 16A

From last year onwards, all Form 16 and Form 16A are generated from the TIN-NSDL site and have 6-digit alphabetical numbers. If you enter the same in the verification of Form 16 in Form 16A on the left-hand panel of the Income Tax India site, you will get all details, i.e., name, address, amount paid, TDS deducted, etc.

Hi all,

I received this link from the Income Tax Department, and it clearly states that one should always ask for a Form 16 with the official logo and never accept it manually.

Link: http://contents.tdscpc.gov.in/images/third-party-form-26AS.png

Thank you.