How to Download Your Form 26AS Tax Credit Statement

Form 26AS is an annual consolidated tax statement issued by the Income Tax Department of India. It provides a comprehensive record of tax-related details associated with a taxpayer’s Permanent Account Number (PAN). This document is an important tool for individuals and entities to verify Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), Tax Collected at Source (TCS), and other tax payments, ensuring accuracy before filing their Income Tax Returns (ITR). Form 26AS helps taxpayers track all their tax credits for compliance.

Methods to Access Form 26AS Online

Accessing Form 26AS online is possible through two primary channels.

One method involves using the Income Tax e-Filing Portal, which requires a registered account and a linked PAN. Log in to the portal using your user ID (PAN or Aadhaar number) and password. After successfully logging in, navigate to the “e-File” section, then select “Income Tax Returns,” and finally choose the “View Form 26AS (Tax Credit)” option. This action usually redirects the user to the TRACES (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System) website.

The second method for accessing Form 26AS is through net banking facilities provided by authorized banks. Many banks offer a direct link to the TRACES portal. To use this option, a taxpayer must have an active net banking account with one of these authorized banks, and their PAN must be linked. After logging into their respective bank’s net banking portal, look for a “Tax Credit Statement (Form 26AS)” or a similar option under their tax services. Clicking this link will typically redirect them to the TRACES website.

Step-by-Step Guide to Downloading Form 26AS

Once a taxpayer has navigated to the TRACES website, you will be prompted to agree to a disclaimer or terms of usage. Accepting these terms by selecting a checkbox and clicking “Proceed” is necessary to continue.

Click on the “View Tax Credit (Form 26AS)” option. Select the relevant “Assessment Year” from a dropdown menu, which corresponds to the financial year for which they wish to view the tax statement.

After choosing the assessment year, select the “View Type” or format for the document. Options include HTML for online viewing, or PDF for downloading. To obtain a downloadable PDF file, select HTML, then click “View/Download” or “Export as PDF”. The downloaded PDF file is password-protected, and the password is the taxpayer’s date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.

Key Information in Form 26AS

Form 26AS provides a comprehensive overview of tax-related transactions, serving as a consolidated record for a specific financial year. It includes:
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) from income sources like salary, interest, and professional fees.
Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on specific transactions.
Payments of advance tax and self-assessment tax made directly by the taxpayer.
Refunds processed and issued by the Income Tax Department.
High-value financial transactions, such as property purchases, mutual fund investments, and credit card payments, reported to tax authorities.
Tax deducted on the sale of immovable property and any identified TDS defaults.