Guide2 min readLast updated: June 2026

How to Download Form 16

A practical guide to finding Form 16, requesting it from payroll, and checking it before filing your return.

Access

Where do you get Form 16?

Form 16 is issued by your employer. Most salaried employees receive it through an HR portal, payroll tool, email, or finance team.

The Income Tax portal helps you view tax records, but the actual Form 16 certificate is usually obtained from the employer.

  • Employer HR portal
  • Payroll software
  • Official email from finance team
  • Previous employer if you changed jobs

Example

Practical download path

  • Open HR portal.
  • Go to tax or documents section.
  • Choose financial year.
  • Download Form 16 PDF.

Employer-issued document

Ask the employer or payroll team if the document is missing. Do not rely on unofficial templates.

Validation

What to check after downloading

After downloading Form 16, check whether it belongs to the correct financial year and employer period.

Then verify PAN, employer TAN, TDS totals, and salary computation before using it for ITR.

  • Correct financial year
  • Correct PAN
  • Employer TAN
  • TDS totals
  • Part A and Part B both available

Example

Download checklist

  • File name: FY 2025-26.
  • PAN: matches your profile.
  • Part A and Part B both visible.

Check before filing

A downloaded PDF is useful only after you verify the identity and TDS details.

Troubleshooting

What if Form 16 is not available?

If Form 16 is not available, contact payroll or finance. If you changed jobs, contact each employer for the period worked.

You can still prepare using salary slips and tax records, but Form 16 remains the preferred salary summary.

  • Ask current employer
  • Ask previous employer
  • Use payslips temporarily
  • Check AIS and Form 26AS
  • Keep written communication

Example

Job change example

  • Employer A: April to September.
  • Employer B: October to March.
  • Collect Form 16 from both.

Multiple employers

If you worked for more than one employer, one Form 16 may not cover the full year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Salaried employees usually collect Form 16 from their employer. The Income Tax portal helps verify tax records such as AIS and Form 26AS.

Official links

Government references

Important

Disclaimer

Educational reference only

Form16.com is an independent informational and calculator platform. It is not a government website and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice.
Calculate Tax