Difference between Form 16 and Form 16A

PUBLISHED : 08-07-2020 00:00:00

The due date to issue Form 16 for the FY 2019-20 is 15 August 2020. Also, the due date to issue Form 16A for Q4 of FY 2019-20 is 15 August 2020.

1. What is Form 16?

Form 16 is your salary TDS certificate. If your income from salary for the financial year is more than the basic exemption limit of Rs 2,50,000 your employer is required, by the Income Tax Act, to deduct TDS on your salary and deposit it with the government. If you have also disclosed your income from other heads to your employer, they will consider your total income for TDS deduction.

If your income is below the basic exemption limit, your employer will not deduct any TDS and may not issue this form to you. If you have worked with more than one employer during the year, you will have more than one Form 16.

This Form 16 is a certificate, where the employer is certifying details regarding the salary you have earned during the year and how much TDS has been deducted. It has two parts – Part A and Part B. Part A has information of the employer & employee, like name & address, PAN and TAN details, the period of employment, details of TDS deducted & deposited with the government. Part B includes details of salary paid, other incomes, deductions allowed, tax payable etc.

Form 16 is a certificate issued to salaried individuals from their employer when he deducts tax from the employee salary. In simple words, it is an acknowledgement which states your deducted tax has been deposited with the Income Tax department. It must be issued by 15th June of the year for which it is being issued.

For example, for the F.Y. 2019-20, the due date for issue of Form 16 shall be 15th June 2020.However, the due date stands extended to 15 August 2020.

2. What is Form 16A?

Form 16A is also a TDS Certificate. While Form 16 is for only salary income, Form 16A is applicable for TDS on Income Other than Salary. For example, a Form 16A shall be issued to you –
when a bank deducts TDS on your interest income from fixed deposits,
for TDS deducted on insurance commission,
for TDS deducted on your rent receipts.
In fact, when TDS is deducted on any other income you receive that is liable for such deduction. This certificate also has details of the name and address of deductor/deductee, PAN/TAN details, challan details of TDS deposited. It also has details of income you have earned and the TDS deducted and deposited on such income.

All details that are there in Form 16A are available on Form 26AS. This can be used to file your return. However, the same is not in the case of Form 16. Details of Form 16 that are available in Form 26AS is only TDS deducted by the employer.

Both the forms are important and are required to help you file your return smoothly. You can also verify the income details and how much TDS has been deducted and at what rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does a deductor issue Form 16?

An employer deducting tax or TDS on the salary paid to an employee issues Form 16 to the employee.

Which period is the form 16 issued for?

The employer issues Form 16 on an annual basis, for one financial year.

Which period is the Form 16A issued for?

A Form 16A is issued quarterly. The due date is 15th of the month following the due date for quarterly TDS return.

How can I benefit from Form 16 and Form 16A?

You can use the data of income and TDS in form 16 and form 16A to file your income tax return and calculate and pay your tax.