How to Obtain Form 16 for the Last Two Financial Years

Form 16 is a crucial document reflecting your income tax deducted by your employer. If you need Form 16 for the last two financial years, follow these detailed steps to ensure you have the necessary documentation.

From Your Employer

Form 16 is issued by your employer, so the first step is to contact your HR or payroll department. Provide them with the specific financial years (April to March) for which you require the forms. Your employer should be able to provide you with the necessary documents. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Contact your HR or payroll department. Specify the financial years (April to March) for which you need the Form 16.

Many employers also send Form 16 via email. Search through your inbox for any emails from your HR or finance department regarding Form 16.

Check Your Email

Steps:

Look for emails from your HR or finance department regarding Form 16.

Online Portals

If your company has an employee self-service portal, log in and check if you can download Form 16 directly from there. This portal often provides easy access to various attestations and documents.

Income Tax Department

If you have filed your income tax returns using Form 16, you can also check your income tax account on the Income Tax Department's website. Sometimes the details of Form 16 can be accessed through your online tax portal.

Contact Previous Employers

If you had multiple employers in the last two years, you will need to contact each one for their respective Form 16. Keep accurate records of your employment status and track record for easy retrieval.

Keep Records

Ensure that you keep all the Forms 16 in a safe place for future reference. Proper record-keeping is essential for financial audits and tax compliance.

Alternative Methods

If you face any difficulty in obtaining Form 16 from your employer, reach out to your tax consultant for further assistance. Your tax consultant will guide you through the process and help you navigate any issues.

Online Portal Steps

To download Form 16 directly from the Income Tax Department's website, follow these steps:

Visit the income tax department website. Login to your personal account. Go to the Download tab. Select Form 16. Select the appropriate financial year for which Form 16 is needed. Enter your Permanent Account Number (PAN) and click on Add Click on Go to proceed. Click on Submit to download Form 16.

Note: You must have your PAN number for this process. If you have lost or do not remember your PAN number, you can request a copy from the Income Tax Department using your login credentials.

Additional Tips

Your employer must share the Form 16 via mail or any other mode. It is a legal requirement. For better tracking, you can provide your offer letter and relieving letter to your employer. These documents will help in verifying your employment history. If you have already received Form 16, but it was a few years ago, ensure you keep it for future reference. Sometimes people may not realize the value of this document until later. As an alternative, you can share your PF (Provident Fund) passbook and 26AS for the tenure in question. 26AS can be obtained from your IT filing site.