ITR Filing Season Begins! When Will You Receive Form 16? Here’s What We Know So Far About Timeline

As the ITR filing season begins, salaried employees across the country are eagerly awaiting their Form 16, a crucial document for filing income tax returns. Whether you are a first-time taxpayer or a seasoned filer, understanding the key details mentioned in Form 16 and knowing when it is expected to be issued can help ensure a smooth and hassle-free tax filing process.

What is Form 16?

Form 16 is a crucial tax certificate which is issued by employers to salaried employees in India. It serves as an official proof that a taxpayer's employer has deducted Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) from their salary. It also acts as an essential document when filing your Income Tax Return (ITR).

How Form 16 Is Generated?

Form 16 is not uploaded by the Income Tax Department for employees, rather it is generated by employers through the TRACES portal and then they share it with staff. That's why salaried individuals track their office emails and payroll systems around June to access the certificate for timely ITR filing.

Form 16 and ITR Filing: What Is The Role of TDS Certificate?

Form 16 work like ready document that can help you eliminate a lot of your time while filing ITR. It also complies salary income, exemptions, deductions and tax deducted at source in one place. Form 16 also helps in matching data with the department's records and reducing reporting errors.

Can You File ITR Without Form 16?

The certificate also helps taxpayers in confirming whether employers have correctly deducted and deposited tax. Filing an income tax return without Form 16 is also possible in some cases, but it usually makes the process easier and more accurate.

Form 16 Structure: What is Part A and Part B?

Form 16 comes with two components, ie Part A and Part B. Part A records basic identification details of employers and employees like PAN and TAN. It also lists the total tax deducted from salary and a quarter-wise break-up of TDS deposited with the government during the financial year.

What is Form 16 Part B?

Form 16's Part B comes with a detailed view of how tax on salary has been computed. It contains details like gross salary, allowances, prerequisites, exemptions and deductions claimed under provisions like Section 80C and 80D. People can know about their taxable income, total tax liability, any rebate or relief allowed and the final TDS amount.

When Will Form 16 Issued in 2026?

As per media reports, employers are likely to issue Form 16 by June 15. For FY25-26 corresponding to Assessment Year 2026-27. Employees who changed jobs during a year may get more than one Form 16. Each employer needs to issue a separate certificate covering the specific employment period and TDS handled by that organisation. Taxpayers should collect all such certificates to correctly combine salary income and tax details while filing the income tax return.

Form 16 can sometimes reach employees before 15 June if an organisation finishes tax work early. Once the employer generates the certificate on the TRACES portal and completes internal checks, it may share the document in advance. Many companies prefer early distribution so employees can plan their ITR filing calmly.