Form 26AS – What is Form 26AS? View And Download Form 26AS Online

When it comes to filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) in India, Form 26AS plays an important role. It is a consolidated statement issued by the Income Tax Department that reflects all tax-related information linked to a taxpayer’s PAN. From TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) to advance tax payments, Form 26AS ensures transparency and accuracy in tax filing.

BOOK A FREE DEMO




    What is Form 26AS?

    Form 26AS is an annual consolidated tax credit statement issued under Section 203AA of the Income Tax Act. It contains details of tax deducted on your income, tax collected at source, advance/self-assessment taxes paid, and high-value transactions. It helps taxpayers verify that the taxes deducted on their behalf have been correctly deposited with the government.

    Information Available on Form 26AS

    Form 26AS includes multiple types of information such as:

    • TDS/TCS: Tax deducted/collected by employers, banks, or other deductors.
    • Advance Tax / Self-Assessment Tax: Taxes paid directly by the taxpayer.
    • Details of Refunds: Income tax refunds issued by the department.
    • High-Value Transactions: Property purchases, mutual fund investments, or credit card spends reported by banks/financial institutions.
    • Pending / Completed Demands: Any outstanding or adjusted tax demands.

    Structure and Parts of Form 26AS

    Form 26AS is divided into different parts:

    • Part A: TDS details (salary, interest, rent, etc.)
    • Part B: TCS details (tax collected at source)
    • Part C: Advance tax and self-assessment tax paid
    • Part D: Refund details
    • Part E: AIR (Annual Information Return) transactions
    • Part F: TDS on property transactions (Form 26QB)
    • Part G: Defaults and demands

    How to View Form 26AS?

    Taxpayers can view and download Form 26AS through multiple platforms.

    Download Form 26AS through Income Tax Portal

    • Visit incometax.gov.in.
    • Log in using your PAN/Aadhaar.
    • Go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > View Form 26AS.
    • You’ll be redirected to the TRACES portal to download.

    View Form 26AS from Net Banking Facility

    The Income Tax Department has partnered with several banks. If your PAN is linked to your bank account, you can log in to net banking and access Form 26AS.

    Through the TRACES Portal

    TRACES (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System) allows taxpayers to view and download Form 26AS directly.

    Via the Income Tax E-filing Portal

    Registered users can log in and directly fetch Form 26AS linked with their PAN.

    Stepwise Guide for Viewing from Net Banking

    • Log in to your bank’s net banking.
    • Locate Tax Services / View Form 26AS option.
    • Redirected to TRACES → Download statement.

    Stepwise Guide for Viewing and Downloading from TRACES

    • Visit TRACES website.
    • Log in using PAN.
    • Select View/Download Form 26AS for relevant assessment year.

    Download Form 26AS Format for FY 2024-25

    The format of Form 26AS is available in PDF and text formats. You can download it directly from TRACES or Income Tax Portal for FY 2024-25 to reconcile your TDS and tax payments.

    Benefits of Form 26AS

    • Ensures accuracy of TDS and tax payments.
    • Helps avoid double taxation.
    • Detects mismatches or frauds in tax deductions.
    • Ensures smooth and error-free ITR filing.

    Introduction of Annual Information Statement (AIS)

    In addition to Form 26AS, the Income Tax Department has launched the Annual Information Statement (AIS), which provides more detailed information on transactions such as securities, mutual funds, dividends, and foreign remittances.

    26AS vs AIS

    • Form 26AS: Summarizes TDS, TCS, and high-value transactions.
    • AIS: Provides a detailed view of income sources, investments, and expenditures.

    Together, they ensure transparency and prevent underreporting of income.

    TDS Certificate (Form 16/16A) and Form 26AS

    TDS Certificates (Form 16 for salary, Form 16A for non-salary payments) should always be cross-verified with Form 26AS to ensure correct tax credit is available.

    Things to Verify in TDS Certificate with Form 26AS

    • Deductor’s TAN and name
    • Amount deducted and deposited
    • Assessment year mentioned
    • Matching entries in both Form 16/16A and Form 26AS

    Importance of Form 26AS

    Form 26AS acts as a mirror of your tax transactions. It prevents tax evasion, ensures correct tax credits, and is an essential document while filing ITR. It helps you reconcile your tax liability and claim refunds if excess TDS is deducted.

    Conclusion

    Form 26AS is an important tax document that every taxpayer should review before filing their ITR. With the introduction of AIS, taxpayers now have more comprehensive insights into their financial transactions. Ensuring accuracy between Form 26AS, Form 16, and AIS helps avoid errors, notices, and delays in tax refunds.

    Chartered Accountant
    MRN No.: 411502
    City: Delhi

    I am a chartered accountant with over 14 years of experience. I understand income tax, GST, and balancing financial records. I analyze financial statements and tax codes effectively. However, I also have a passion for writing, which is different from working with numbers. Recently, I started writing articles and blog posts. My goal is to make finance easier for everyday people to understand.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    • What is Form 26AS?
      Form 26AS is a consolidated annual tax credit statement showing TDS, TCS, advance tax, refunds, and high-value transactions linked to your PAN.
    • What information is available in Form 26AS?
      It includes TDS, TCS, advance tax, self-assessment tax, refunds issued, and high-value financial transactions.
    • How can I view and download Form 26AS online?
      You can download it from the Income Tax Portal, TRACES website, or via net banking linked to your PAN.
    • What is the difference between Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS)?
      Form 26AS is a tax credit statement, while AIS provides detailed income and investment-related information.
    • How do I verify my TDS certificate with Form 26AS?
      Cross-check deductor’s details, amount deducted, and deposit details between Form 16/16A and Form 26AS.
    • Why is Form 26AS important for filing income tax returns?
      It ensures tax accuracy, prevents mismatches, and helps claim refunds properly.
    • What should I do if I find discrepancies in Form 26AS?
      Contact the deductor to correct the error in TDS return, after which the revised data will reflect in your Form 26AS.

    Please Wait