🔍 What’s in Your Form 16? Decode It Like a Pro Before Filing ITR

Form 16 is the most important document for salaried taxpayers. But let’s be honest — it looks like a maze of boxes, numbers, and tax jargon.

This guide breaks it down line-by-line in plain English, so you can file your Income Tax Return (ITR) confidently — with or without help.

👔 What is Form 16?

Form 16 is a TDS certificate issued by your employer if tax was deducted from your salary. It’s proof of the salary you earned and the tax your company paid to the government on your behalf.

📝 You’ll need it while filing ITR under both:

• Old Regime (to claim deductions)

• New Regime (for income reporting)

🧩 Form 16 Has Two Parts: Part A and Part B

Let’s decode each one — no jargon, just meaning.

✅ Part A – TDS Details

Section in Form 16	What It Means
Employer & Employee PAN/TAN	Your and your company’s tax IDs.
Period of Employment	From when to when you worked in the FY.
Summary of Salary Paid	Total taxable salary paid during the year.
TDS Deducted & Deposited	How much tax was deducted and deposited quarterly.

👉 Cross-check this with Form 26AS to ensure everything matches.

✅ Part B – Salary, Deductions, and Tax Computation

This is where most people get confused. Let’s simplify:

📌 Gross Salary Breakdown

Field	What It Includes
Basic Salary	Your fixed monthly pay.
Allowances	HRA, LTA, Special Allowance, etc.
Perquisites	Company car, accommodation, stock options.

📌 Less: Exemptions under Section 10

Common Exemptions	Notes
HRA	If you pay rent and have rent receipts.
LTA	Only if claimed and supported by bills.
Gratuity	For eligible employees on retirement/resignation.

📌 Deductions under Chapter VI-A

Only available if you’re filing under the Old Regime:

Section	Deduction
80C	LIC, PF, ELSS, PPF, home loan principal, tuition fees (up to ₹1.5L)
80D	Health insurance premiums
80TTA/80TTB	Bank interest savings
80G	Donations (if applicable)

📌 Tax Payable

• Tax calculated on total income

• Minus TDS already paid

• Refund or balance tax is shown

🧠 Pro Tips While Using Form 16 for ITR Filing

1. Check PAN and Name – Must match your PAN records

2. Cross-check with Form 26AS & AIS – Especially if you had job changes

3. Review deductions – Claim anything missed in Form 16 (like home loan interest)

Choose regime wisely – Old Regime (more deductions) vs New Regime (lower tax)

🎯 Still Unsure How to File with Form 16?

Just upload your PAN — we’ll handle the rest.

✅ Compare Old vs New Regime
✅ Pre-fill Income from Form 16
✅ File ITR accurately and quickly

🔗 Upload PAN & Form 16 →

📝 Final Checklist Before Filing:

• ✔️ Form 16 from all employers (if changed jobs)

• ✔️ Choose correct ITR form (usually ITR-1)

• ✔️ Match with Form 26AS

• ✔️ Verify deductions (if using old regime)

• ✔️ File before 31st July 2025