How to Get Your Form 16 from Employer or TRACES
Get Form 16 (Parts A and B) — your annual TDS certificate — from your employer, and what to do if your employer is delayed or refuses to issue it. How Part A is generated on TRACES.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- tdscpc.gov.in ↗
Form 16 is the annual TDS certificate issued by your employer. It has two parts:
- Part A — generated by the employer from the TRACES portal, signed digitally, carrying a unique certificate number. This is the part that proves TDS was deposited against your PAN.
- Part B — prepared by the employer, breaking down salary, exemptions (HRA, LTA), deductions (80C, 80D), and final tax. This part is not on TRACES.
You don't download Form 16 directly — only your employer can. Once they share it, verify Part A against Form 26AS: the TDS amounts must match.
If your employer delays Form 16 past 15 June, send a written request. If they still don't issue it, you can file a complaint with the jurisdictional Assessing Officer.
Eligibility
- You were a salaried employee during the financial year.
- Your employer deducted TDS on your salary (any amount above zero).
Required documents
PAN
Your PAN must be on file with the employer.
Employer's TAN
Useful for verifying Form 16 on the TRACES portal.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Approach your HR / payroll team
Form 16 is issued by your employer — they generate Part A from TRACES and Part B from their payroll system. Most employers email it to your registered email.
- 2
Verify Part A on TRACES
Part A is the official TDS certificate downloaded by the employer from the TRACES portal — it carries a unique certificate number. Match the TAN, name, TDS amount, and PAN to your own records.
tdscpc.gov.in ↗ - 3
Check Part B for salary breakdown
Part B is the employer's breakdown — gross salary, exemptions (HRA, LTA), deductions (80C, 80D), net taxable salary, and final tax. This isn't on TRACES; it's prepared by the employer.
- 4
Cross-check against Form 26AS
Log in to incometax.gov.in and view Form 26AS / AIS. The TDS shown in Form 16 Part A must match Form 26AS entries against your PAN.
Read the next guide → - 5
If employer delays beyond 15 June
Form 16 must be issued by 15 June following the financial year. If your employer hasn't issued it by then, raise a written request. If still not provided, file a complaint with the Assessing Officer.
- 6
Use Form 16 to file ITR
Form 16 + Form 26AS + AIS are the three documents used to file [ITR-1](/finance-tax/file-itr-1). Most numbers pre-fill on the e-Filing portal.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
tdscpc.gov.in
Common mistakes
- Treating Form 16 from a payroll vendor as a TRACES-verified copy — confirm Part A has a unique TRACES certificate number.
- Not matching Form 16 with Form 26AS before filing — mismatches cause CPC notices.
- Filing ITR without Form 16 because you 'remember' the numbers — your TDS won't match Form 26AS and the refund may be held.
- Assuming you don't need Form 16 because no TDS was deducted — employer is required to issue salary details even if TDS is zero (for years with applicable rules).
Frequently asked questions
By when must my employer give me Form 16?▾
By 15 June following the end of the financial year (FY ending 31 March, Form 16 due by 15 June).
Can I download Form 16 myself from any portal?▾
No. Only the deductor (your employer) can download Part A from TRACES. You receive it from them — by email or HR portal.
What if I worked for two employers in the same year?▾
You'll receive one Form 16 from each. While filing ITR, declare income from both.
What if my employer refuses to issue Form 16?▾
Write a formal request first. If denied, file a complaint with your jurisdictional Assessing Officer. The Income Tax Act mandates issue of Form 16 when TDS is deducted.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.