ITR Filing 2025: Can You File Income Tax Without Form 16? Who Doesn’t Need It? Know Here

SOURCE : NEW18 NEWS

Last Updated:May 21, 2025, 16:27 IST

To file your ITR on the e-filing portal, you must have key documents including your PAN card, Aadhaar card, Form 16, bank account details, and other proofs of income

For the financial year 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26), the Income Tax Department has already released all forms—from ITR-1 to ITR-7. To file your Income Tax Return (ITR) on the e-filing portal, you must have key documents including your PAN card, Aadhaar card, Form 16, bank account details, and other proofs of income. Along with this, your PAN must be linked with Aadhaar.

But did you know you can file your ITR even without Form 16? While Form 16 is a TDS certificate issued by your employer containing details of your annual salary, tax deductions, and exemptions under sections like 80C and 80D, it is not the only way to file ITR.

In many cases, salaried individuals whose income does not fall under the taxable bracket, or whose TDS is not deducted, may not receive Form 16 from their employers. Still, they are eligible to file their returns using alternative documents.

Form 26AS: A Key Document

If you don’t have Form 16, Form 26AS becomes essential. It’s a tax credit statement showing the amount of tax deducted at source (TDS), tax collected at source (TCS), details of advance tax paid, and any high-value transactions made.

How to Download Form 26AS

• Visit the official e-filing portal
• Click on the ‘My Account’ tab and select ‘View Form 26AS’
• Choose the relevant assessment year and click ‘View’
• Click on the download option to save the form

Other Important Documents

Salary Slips: If you don’t have Form 16, your salary slips, especially from March, can help you calculate your annual income and deductions. If slips are unavailable, request an annual income statement from your employer.

Bank Statements: Bank statements show your salary credits, interest earnings, and any other income like rent or freelancing. They also reflect your investments, making them useful for calculating income and deductions.

Proof of Investments

To claim exemptions under sections like 80C, 80D, or for HRA, you must have documentary proof. These include:

• PPF deposit slips
• ELSS investment statements
• Insurance premium receipts
• Home loan interest certificates
• Rent payment receipts, etc.

Not having Form 16 is not a hurdle. With Form 26AS, salary slips, bank statements, and investment proofs, you can easily file your ITR.

First Published:

May 21, 2025, 16:27 IST