What is Form 26AS and How to Use It for ITR Filing?

Income Tax Return (ITR) filing in India requires accuracy and complete disclosure of income, taxes paid, and deductions claimed. One of the most crucial documents that helps taxpayers ensure accuracy while filing ITR is Form 26AS. Often called the tax passbook or annual tax statement, Form 26AS provides a consolidated record of the taxes deducted, collected, and deposited against a taxpayer's PAN during a financial year.

In this article, we’ll explore what Form 26AS is, its components, how to download it, and how to use it effectively during ITR filing.

✅ What is Form 26AS?

Form 26AS is an annual consolidated tax credit statement issued by the Income Tax Department. It shows all tax-related information associated with a taxpayer's PAN, including:

• TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) by employers, banks, and others
• TCS (Tax Collected at Source) by sellers on specified transactions
• Advance tax or self-assessment tax paid directly by the taxpayer
• Refunds issued by the Income Tax Department
• High-value transactions like property purchases or mutual fund investments

Form 26AS helps you verify your income and tax paid before filing your return, reducing the risk of notices, mismatches, or delayed refunds.

🧾 Components of Form 26AS

Form 26AS is divided into multiple parts, each containing specific financial information:

Part	Details
Part A	TDS details on salary, interest, rent, commissions etc.
Part A1	TDS details on Form 15G/15H (no TDS due to declaration)
Part A2	TDS on property sales (Form 26QB)
Part B	TCS by sellers (e.g., on cars, jewellery)
Part C	Advance tax, self-assessment tax, regular assessment tax
Part D	Refunds received from the Income Tax Department
Part E	AIR/Specified Financial Transactions (e.g., high-value investments, credit card spends)
Part F	TDS on sale of immovable property (Form 26QB)
Part G	Defaults or processing of TDS statements
Part H	Details of turnover as reported in GSTR (for taxpayers filing GST returns)

📌 🖥️ How to View or Download Form 26AS Online

The Income Tax Department provides two main ways to access Form 26AS:

Method 1: Through Income Tax e-Filing Portal

1.      Visit https://www.incometax.gov.in

2.      Log in using your PAN/Aadhaar and password

3.      Go to “e-File” → “Income Tax Returns” → “View Form 26AS”

4.      You'll be redirected to the TRACES website

5.      Click on “View Tax Credit (Form 26AS)” → Select AY and download in PDF or HTML format

Method 2: Through Net Banking

If your PAN is linked with your bank account, you can view Form 26AS via net banking. Many major banks like SBI, ICICI, HDFC, Axis Bank provide this service.

Steps:

1.      Log in to your bank's net banking

2.      Find the “Tax Services” or “Form 26AS” link

3.      You’ll be redirected to TRACES to view the statement

🧠 How to Use Form 26AS for ITR Filing

Here’s how Form 26AS acts as a guide during your ITR filing process:

1. Validate Income Sources

Cross-check all the incomes on which TDS has been deducted (e.g., salary, interest, rent, etc.) with your own records. If you find any discrepancy in income, consult the deductor or update it in your return accordingly.

2. Verify TDS Credits

Match the TDS entries with your Form 16 (salary) or Form 16A (non-salary). If there’s a mismatch, the credit may not reflect in your Form 26AS — leading to reduced refund or increased tax demand.

3. Check Advance Tax/Self-Assessment Tax

If you’ve paid advance tax or filed self-assessment tax (usually in case of freelancers, consultants, or high-income salaried taxpayers), ensure these are properly reflected in Part C of Form 26AS.

4. Track Refunds

Part D of Form 26AS shows details of refunds issued by the department along with the payment date and amount. If you haven’t received a refund despite it showing as paid, you can raise a query.

5. Review High-Value Transactions

Part E includes specified financial transactions reported by banks, mutual fund houses, registrars, etc., like:

·         Cash deposits over ₹10 lakh

·         Credit card spends over ₹2 lakh

·         Property purchases over ₹30 lakh

Ensure you disclose related income or transactions in your ITR to avoid scrutiny or mismatch notices.

🧩 Common Issues with Form 26AS

Issue	Solution
TDS not reflecting	Ask the deductor to file/revise TDS return
Wrong PAN used by deductor	Ask deductor to correct PAN details and refile
Tax paid but not showing	Re-check challan number and payment mode
Mismatch in refund amount	Cross-check your ITR and CPC communication

📌 Tips for Using Form 26AS Effectively

• Download Form 26AS before filing your return every year — it's your tax blueprint.
• Use it to reconcile TDS, taxes paid, and refund status.
• Ensure that your PAN is correctly mentioned in all financial transactions.
• If you find any discrepancy in Form 26AS, raise a grievance on https://www.tdscpc.gov.in or contact the deductor.

📝 Final Thoughts

Form 26AS is a vital document for every taxpayer — whether salaried, freelancer, business owner, or investor. It consolidates all your tax-related data in one place and ensures you don’t underreport income or miss claiming tax credits.

By reviewing Form 26AS thoroughly, you can:

• Avoid income mismatch notices
• Claim correct TDS credits
• File a more accurate ITR
• Speed up refunds

So before you hit the "Submit" button on your ITR, make sure you consult your Form 26AS — your tax mirror for the year.