Form 26AS vs AIS: Download, Difference & Reconciliation Guide (2024)

📄 Form 26AS & AIS Download, Comparison & Reconciliation Guide (2024)

Taxpayers in India must understand both Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS) to ensure accurate Income Tax Return (ITR) filing. This guide explains how to download them, the difference between AIS & 26AS, and how to reconcile with your accounting records.

✅ What is Form 26AS?

Form 26AS is a consolidated Tax Credit Statement issued by the Income Tax Department. It shows:

TDS/TCS deducted on your PAN
Advance tax or self-assessment tax paid
High-value transactions reported by financial institutions
Refund details

✅ What is AIS (Annual Information Statement)?

The AIS is an enhanced statement introduced by the Income Tax Department that gives a comprehensive view of your financial transactions, including:

Interest income from savings accounts & FDs
Dividend income, stock transactions, MF redemptions
Rent received, foreign remittance, and more

🔍 Form 26AS vs AIS: Key Differences

Point of Difference	Form 26AS	AIS
Purpose	Shows tax deducted, deposited & refunds	Shows complete financial transaction history
Introduced in	2005	2021
Details Included	TDS, TCS, Advance Tax, Refunds	Interest, dividend, shares, rent, etc.
Legal Status	Official Tax Credit Statement	Informational; needs taxpayer confirmation
Correction Mechanism	Correction via deductor or CPC	Feedback system for errors online

📥 How to Download Form 26AS (Step-by-Step)

Visit incometax.gov.in
Log in using PAN and password (register if new user)
Go to: e-File > Income Tax Returns > View Form 26AS
You'll be redirected to TRACES portal
Select assessment year and download as PDF/Text

📥 How to Download AIS (Annual Information Statement)

Login to incometax.gov.in
Navigate to: Services > AIS
Click on "AIS", select financial year
You can view and download the PDF or JSON

🔁 How to Reconcile AIS / 26AS with Your Accounts

Check if TDS entries in 26AS match with your salary, interest, rental income
Match AIS values with your bank statements, Form 16, Form 16A, demat holdings
If discrepancies exist in AIS, submit online feedback (Accepted/Incorrect/Partially correct)
Ensure final ITR matches with both AIS and 26AS to avoid scrutiny

🧠 Common Questions

Is AIS mandatory for ITR?
It is not mandatory, but highly recommended to reconcile it with your tax return.

Can I use AIS instead of 26AS?
No. AIS is supplementary. Form 26AS is the official tax credit statement recognized for ITR validation.

What if there is an error in AIS?
You can give online feedback, and it will be reviewed by the Income Tax Department.

How often is AIS updated?
AIS is updated periodically with data from banks, mutual funds, registrars, etc.

Does mismatch cause ITR rejection?
Yes. Mismatches between AIS/26AS and ITR can trigger notices or delay refunds.

🧾 Tip: Always download both 26AS and AIS before filing your ITR to ensure accuracy.