Can AS26 Fully Replace Form 16 When Filing Tax Returns? Let's Discuss!

AS26 as a Substitute for Form 16

AS26 could be a complete substitute for Form 16 at the time of filing the return.

Regards,
Abhishek Sharma
HR Department
Hindustan Press

Kindly explain how we can submit if we do not have Form 16, including that the organization is not providing the Form 16 in any way.

Regards,
Abhishek Sharma
HR
Hindustan Press.

Dear Pon, we must consider different situations, as AS 26 shows how much income tax or TDS has been deducted from your salary and deposited into your PAN card account number by the organization for income tax purposes. However, AS 26 should not be considered a substitute for filing the Income Tax return.

The current income tax rules do not require a TDS certificate (Form 16). In any case, Form 16 does not apply to anyone who does not have a taxable salary. You can match your TDS from Form 26AS while filing your returns and input the relevant amount. You do not have to send Form 26AS since it's already with the department.

Form 16 is a good practice at the moment because it enables the employee to know the figures in a format they are used to. Please note that companies now have to provide Form 16 that is electronically generated from the income tax site. Manual TDS certificates are not allowed.