Form 26AS is a crucial document for every taxpayer in India. It acts as a consolidated annual tax statement, summarising all tax-related transactions linked to your PAN. Whether you want to check your TDS, claim refunds, or ensure smooth income tax return filing, understanding and accessing Form 26AS is essential.
Form 26AS is an official tax credit statement issued by the Income Tax Department. It contains details of:
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS)
Tax Collected at Source (TCS)
Advance Tax and Self-Assessment Tax paid
Refunds issued during the year
Specified Financial Transactions (SFT)
Details of high-value transactions
Information on tax demands and refunds
TDS defaults, if any
This consolidated statement helps taxpayers verify that the tax deducted or collected on their behalf by various deductors (employers, banks, tenants, etc.) has been properly deposited with the government and credited to their PAN.
Accurate ITR Filing: Ensures all tax credits are correctly claimed in your income tax return.
Prevents Mismatches: Avoids discrepancies between your filed return and the records with the Income Tax Department.
Quick Refunds: Facilitates faster processing of refunds by matching your claims with actual tax credits.
You can view Form 26AS or download Form 26AS easily using the Income Tax portal or through net banking.
Step-by-step guide:
Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal: www.incometax.gov.in
Login to your account using your PAN (User ID) and password (income tax login 26AS).
Go to the ‘e-File’ menu and select ‘Income Tax Returns’ > ‘View Form 26AS’.
You will be redirected to the TRACES portal (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System).
Agree to the terms and click on ‘Proceed’.
On the TRACES page, click ‘View Tax Credit (Form 26AS)’.
Select the Assessment Year and View Type (HTML, PDF, or Text).
Click ‘View/Download’ to access or save your Form 26AS statement.
Many major banks allow you to view 26AS statement directly from your net banking portal if your PAN is linked to your account. Steps may vary by bank, but generally:
Log in to your net banking account.
Navigate to the ‘Tax’ or ‘e-Services’ section.
Select ‘View Form 26AS’ or similar option.
You’ll be redirected to the TRACES portal to view or download your statement.
TRACES is the official platform for all TDS-related services. Whenever you access Form 26AS from the income tax portal or your bank, you are redirected to the Form 26AS TRACES website.
Foreign remittance details (as per Form 15CC)
Quarterly TDS details from salaries
Information on tax demands, refunds, and ongoing/completed proceedings
Advance tax and self-assessment tax payments
High-value transaction reporting
Deductor may have delayed filing TDS returns.
Wrong PAN may have been quoted.
Processing delays at the Income Tax Department.
TDS not deposited by the deductor.
Solution: Contact the deductor/employer, request correction, or file a revised return if necessary.
Form 26AS is updated after TDS returns are processed, typically within 7 days of the deductor filing the return.
Yes, simply select the relevant Assessment Year when you view or download Form 26AS.
It is an annual tax credit statement showing all TDS, TCS, and tax payments linked to your PAN.
Use your income tax login 26AS on the e-filing portal or net banking to view or download the statement.
You can view Form 26AS on the Income Tax portal, TRACES website, or through your bank’s net banking facility.
Contact the deductor for correction or file a rectification request if you have already filed your return.
TRACES is the official platform where Form 26AS is hosted and accessed by taxpayers.