If you have ever sat down to file your ITR and thought “wait, did my employer actually deposit the TDS they cut from my salary?”, Form 26AS is the document that answers that question. It is not the most exciting piece of paperwork you will deal with this tax season, but it is one of the most important.
At BusinessMust, we get this question constantly from salaried employees, freelancers, and even chartered accountants who are downloading it on behalf of clients. So let’s walk through exactly how to get your Form 26AS, without the jargon and without the guesswork.
Whether you want to view Form 26AS by PAN number, download Form 26AS from TRACES, or just need the Form 26AS download PDF for a loan or visa application, this guide covers How to Download Form 26AS from the Income Tax portal step by step, including the 26AS login process and what to do if you’re stuck without one.
Quick Summary Table
Agar aapke paas time kam hai aur sirf important points chahiye, ye table sab kuch cover kar deta hai.
| Topic | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Form 26AS kya hai | PAN se linked annual tax credit statement, TDS, TCS, advance tax aur refunds dikhata hai |
| Download karne ke tareeke | Income Tax e-filing portal, Net Banking, Mobile app/browser |
| e-Filing portal ka path | e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Form 26AS → TRACES redirect |
| TRACES login zaroori hai kya | Nahi, e-filing ya net banking login se hi TRACES access ho jata hai |
| PDF password | Date of birth DDMMYYYY format mein (business ke liye incorporation date) |
| Assessment Year kaise select karein | AY hamesha financial year ke ek saal aage hota hai (FY 2025-26 = AY 2026-27) |
| Format options | HTML (quick view), PDF (submission ke liye), Text (bulk data) |
| “No Transaction Present” ka matlab | Error nahi hai, sirf koi TDS/TCS record nahi hai us section mein |
| OTP na aane par | Registered mobile number update karein e-filing portal profile mein |
| NRIs ke liye issue | Foreign number par OTP na aane par email OTP use karein ya CA ki help lein |
| Download ke baad kya karein | Form 16/16A se TDS match karein, refund aur advance tax verify karein |
| Related documents | AIS zyada detailed hota hai, TIS AIS ka summarized version hai |
What Is Form 26AS? (Quick Recap)
Form 26AS is your annual tax credit statement, linked to your PAN, issued by the Income Tax Department. Think of it as a report card of every rupee of tax that has touched your name during a financial year. TDS deducted by your employer, TDS on interest from your bank, advance tax you paid yourself, refunds you received. All of it shows up here.
Before filing your ITR, checking this form takes five minutes and can save you from a mismatch notice that takes weeks to resolve. That alone is reason enough to download it every single year, even if your taxes are simple.
Form 26AS vs AIS vs TIS: Which One Should You Actually Check?
Here’s where a lot of people get stuck, and honestly, most articles online don’t explain this clearly.
The Income Tax Department now has three related documents, and they are not the same thing:
Form 26AS focuses on tax credits. It tells you what TDS, TCS, advance tax, and self-assessment tax has been recorded against your PAN, plus any refunds issued.
AIS (Annual Information Statement) is much broader. It includes everything in Form 26AS, plus your savings account interest, mutual fund transactions, dividend income, foreign remittances, and even property purchases. If Form 26AS is a summary, AIS is closer to a full financial diary.
TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary) is basically AIS, simplified. It pulls the raw data from AIS and gives you category-wise totals, which is what most people actually use to fill out their ITR.
So which one should you check? Honestly, check both. Use Form 26AS specifically to verify your TDS and TCS entries match what your employer or bank reported. Use AIS or TIS to catch anything else, like an FD interest credit you forgot about, or a mutual fund redemption that generated capital gains. A lot of ITR mismatches happen because people rely on only one of these documents.
How to Download Form 26AS from the Income Tax e-Filing Portal
This is the most common route for e filing users, and here’s exactly how it works as of 2026.
- Go to the official Income Tax e-filing portal at incometax.gov.in.
- Log in using your PAN as the user ID, along with your password and the captcha shown. This is essentially your 26AS login step, since the same credentials unlock your TRACES data as well.
- Once you’re on the dashboard, click on e-File in the top menu.
- Go to Income Tax Returns, then click View Form 26AS.
- A disclaimer pop-up will appear. Read it, tick the confirmation box, and click Confirm.
- You’ll be redirected to the TRACES website. This part confuses a lot of people, so let’s clear it up right here: TRACES (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System) is a separate government portal that actually hosts your Form 26AS data. The e-filing portal just acts as a gateway to it. You do not need to register separately on TRACES if you’re accessing it this way. Your e-filing login carries you through, and this is exactly what people mean when they search for “download Form 26AS from TRACES.”
- On the TRACES page, click View Tax Credit (Form 26AS).
- Select the Assessment Year you need. Remember, assessment year is one year ahead of the financial year. So for income earned in FY 2025-26, you’ll select AY 2026-27.
- Choose your preferred format: HTML (for quick viewing on screen), PDF (best if you need to save or submit it somewhere), or Text (rarely used, mostly for bulk data processing).
- Click View/Download, and your Form 26AS download PDF (or HTML/Text file) will open or save depending on the format you picked.
If you’re applying for a loan or a visa and someone has asked you for “your 26AS,” the Form 26AS download PDF is almost always what they mean.
How to Download Form 26AS via Net Banking
If you don’t want to deal with a separate portal login, net banking is often faster, provided your PAN is linked to your bank account.
- Log in to your bank’s net banking portal.
- Look for a section called Tax Services, Tax Credit Statement, or Income Tax e-filing. The exact label depends on your bank. In SBI’s net banking, for example, it usually sits under “e-Tax” services. In HDFC, it’s under “Request” and then “Form 26AS.”
- Click on View Form 26AS (Tax Credit Statement).
- You’ll be redirected securely to TRACES, without needing to log in again.
- Select the assessment year and the format you want.
- View or download the statement.
This method saves a step, since you skip the e-filing portal login entirely. It’s a good option if you already have your bank’s app or netbanking open and don’t want to juggle two logins.
How to Download Form 26AS via the Mobile App
Most people now do this on their phone, and this part barely gets a mention anywhere else, which is surprising given how many searches for this happen on mobile.
You have two practical options here:
Using the AIS app: The Income Tax Department has an official AIS mobile app (available on Android and iOS) that lets you view your AIS and TIS data on the go. While this app is built around AIS rather than 26AS specifically, it’s useful for cross-checking the same tax credit information in a mobile-friendly format.
Using your mobile browser: If you don’t want to install an app, you can simply open incometax.gov.in in Chrome or Safari on your phone and follow the same steps as the desktop version. The portal is responsive, so the flow stays the same, just with smaller buttons. One tip: use “Desktop site” mode in your mobile browser if the redirect to TRACES doesn’t load properly, since some older Android browsers have trouble with the TRACES page in mobile view.
Understanding the Parts of Form 26AS
Once you have the PDF open, it can look intimidating with all its parts and codes. Here’s a quick reference so you know what you’re looking at.
| Part | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Part A | TDS deducted by your employer, bank, or other deductors |
| Part A1 | TDS details where Form 15G/15H was submitted, so no tax was deducted |
| Part A2 | TDS on sale of immovable property, deducted by the buyer |
| Part B | Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on specified purchases |
| Part C | Advance tax and self-assessment tax paid directly by you |
| Part D | Refunds issued to you by the department |
| Part E | High-value financial transactions reported to the department |
| Part F | TDS on sale of immovable property under Section 194-IA |
| Part G | Any TDS defaults, such as short payment or short deduction |
You don’t need to memorize all of this. Just know that Part A is where you’ll spend most of your time, since that’s where your salary and interest TDS shows up.
Common Errors While Downloading Form 26AS (And How to Fix Them)
This is usually where people actually get stuck, so let’s go through the real problems one by one.
The PDF won’t open, or asks for a password. This trips up almost everyone the first time. The password is your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format. So if you were born on 15th March 1990, your password is 15031990. If you’re opening it for a business or entity, use the date of incorporation instead.
It shows “No Transaction Present.” This isn’t an error. It just means no TDS, TCS, or tax payment has been recorded against your PAN for that section or assessment year. This is normal if you have no income sources requiring deduction, or if the deductor hasn’t filed their TDS return yet.
You’re not receiving the OTP for login. This usually means your mobile number registered with the e-filing portal is outdated or inactive. Go to your profile settings on the portal and update your mobile number. You’ll need to verify the new number before you can proceed.
TRACES isn’t loading or keeps timing out. Try clearing your browser cache and cookies first. If you’re using a VPN, turn it off, since TRACES sometimes blocks VPN traffic. Switching to Chrome or Firefox usually resolves compatibility issues if you’re on an older browser.
Pop-ups are being blocked. TRACES relies on pop-up windows for the redirect. Check your browser settings and allow pop-ups specifically for incometax.gov.in and tdscpc.gov.in.
The download button doesn’t respond. Check that your PDF reader (Adobe Reader or your browser’s built-in viewer) is updated. Occasionally, ad blockers or browser extensions interfere with the download trigger. Try disabling extensions temporarily.
Form 26AS Download for Special Cases
Not everyone’s situation is the standard “log in and download” scenario, so here are a few common exceptions.
NRIs. If you’re an NRI trying to download Form 26AS, OTP verification can become a real blocker if your registered mobile number is a foreign number that doesn’t receive Indian SMS OTPs reliably. In this case, use the email OTP option instead, if available, or update your registered mobile number to one that can receive Indian SMS. Many NRIs also find it easier to authorize a CA in India to download it on their behalf using a Digital Signature Certificate or e-filing login access.
Pensioners. If you don’t have active net banking, don’t worry, you can still access Form 26AS directly through the e-filing portal using your PAN and password. You don’t need net banking at all for this route.
First-time filers. If this is your first year filing taxes, you might not have an e-filing portal account yet. You’ll need to register first using your PAN, basic personal details, and a valid mobile number and email. Once registered, the Form 26AS download process works exactly as described above.
Freelancers and self-employed professionals. Since you likely have multiple clients deducting TDS at different rates, it’s worth paying close attention to Part A2 and Part A of your 26AS. It’s common for one or two clients to delay their TDS return filing, which means their deduction won’t show up in your 26AS right away, even though they already cut the tax from your payment. If a client’s TDS is missing, follow up with their accounts team directly rather than assuming it’s an error on your end.
What to Do After Downloading Form 26AS
Downloading the form is only half the job. Here’s what actually matters next.
Match TDS entries against your Form 16 or Form 16A. Pull up the TDS amount your employer or bank reported on your Form 16, and compare it line by line with what’s showing in Part A of your 26AS. If your employer says they deducted 40,000 in TDS but your 26AS shows 35,000, that’s a mismatch you need to flag before filing, not after.
Cross-check advance tax and self-assessment tax challans. If you paid tax on your own during the year, verify the challan number and amount in Part C match your bank’s payment confirmation.
Confirm refund entries against your bank statement. If Part D shows a refund was issued, check that the amount actually landed in your account. Occasionally, a refund is processed but sent to a closed or incorrect bank account, which is worth catching early.
Review high-value transactions in Part E. If you sold property, redeemed a large mutual fund holding, or made a big cash deposit, this is where it gets flagged. Make sure the reported amount matches your own records, since this data often feeds directly into your AIS as well.
Flag mismatches immediately. If something doesn’t add up, contact the deductor (your employer, bank, or client) and ask them to revise their TDS return. Left unresolved, this is one of the most common reasons taxpayers end up receiving an Income Tax Demand Notice under Section 143(1) after filing, so it’s worth the five-minute phone call now rather than dealing with a notice and a correction cycle later.
Form 26AS vs Form 16 vs Form 16A: Key Differences
A quick side-by-side, since these three get confused often.
| Form 16 | Form 16A | Form 26AS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Employer | Bank, client, or other deductor | Income Tax Department |
| Covers | Salary income and TDS | Non-salary income like rent, commission, interest | All tax types: TDS, TCS, advance tax, refunds |
| Frequency | Annual | Quarterly | Annual (updated as deductors file returns) |
If you want a deeper breakdown of how these interact when filing your return, we’ve covered that in detail in our Form 16 vs Form 26AS guide.
FAQs
When does Form 26AS get updated?
It updates whenever a deductor files their quarterly TDS or TCS return, or when your advance tax and self-assessment tax payments get processed. Most updates happen within a few weeks of each quarter’s filing deadline.
What is the password to open the Form 26AS PDF?
Your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format. For businesses, it’s the date of incorporation in the same format.
Can I download Form 26AS without registering separately on TRACES?
Yes. If you access it through the Income Tax e-filing portal or your bank’s net banking, your existing login carries you through to TRACES automatically. Separate TRACES registration is only needed if you’re a deductor filing TDS returns, not for individual taxpayers checking their own statement.
Is Form 26AS the same as AIS?
No. Form 26AS focuses specifically on tax credits like TDS, TCS, and refunds. AIS covers a much wider range of financial data, including interest income, mutual fund transactions, and property deals. Both are useful, but they serve different purposes.
Can NRIs download Form 26AS without an Indian mobile number?
It’s possible but trickier, since OTP verification is usually tied to a registered mobile number. NRIs can try the email OTP option, update their registered number, or have a CA in India access it on their behalf.
What if my TDS is not reflecting in Form 26AS?
This usually means the deductor hasn’t filed their TDS return yet, or there’s an error in the PAN details they submitted. Contact them directly and ask them to check or revise their filing. Unresolved TDS mismatches are also a common trigger for an Income Tax Demand Notice under Section 143(1), so it’s best to sort this out before you file.
Can I download Form 26AS without login?
Not entirely. Every method, whether it’s the e-filing portal, net banking, or the mobile app, requires some form of login since your Form 26AS is personal financial data tied to your PAN. What you can skip is a separate TRACES registration. Net banking is the closest thing to a shortcut, since your existing bank login carries you through without a separate 26AS login on the income tax portal.
At BusinessMust, we know tax paperwork isn’t anyone’s favorite task, but a five-minute check of your Form 26AS before filing can save you from weeks of back-and-forth with the tax department later.
Filing your ITR this year? Download your Form 26AS first, then check out our other tax filing guides, including what to do if you receive an Income Tax Demand Notice under Section 143(1), so you’re covered at every step of the process.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Income tax rules, portal processes, and government website interfaces are subject to change without notice. BusinessMust makes no guarantee regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided here. Readers are advised to verify the latest procedures on the official Income Tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) or consult a qualified chartered accountant or tax professional before making any tax-related decisions.
