You can file ITR even without Form 16:Keep these 10 documents ready, know the full process and avoid these 8 mistakes

The income tax return (ITR) filing process has begun. The last date for filing ITR for salaried and general taxpayers is 31 July. Most working people file returns through Form 16. It provides all necessary information like salary, TDS, tax exemptions and taxable income in one place. However, it is often received late and some people don’t receive it at all. In such a situation, the big question is whether ITR can be filed without Form 16? The answer is- ‘Yes.’ Just some documents are required for this. We will learn how to file ITR without Form 16. We will also learn: Expert: CA Amar Jain, Founder Chartered Accountant Company ‘Tax Provider’ Indore Question- What is Form 16? Answer- Form 16 is a TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) certificate, which an employer provides to their employees. It contains complete details of the salary received by the employee during the entire financial year, TDS deducted from the salary, and that TDS deposited with the government. This is why it is considered one of the most important documents while filing ITR. Question- What information is contained in Form 16? Answer- Form 16 consists of two parts (Part A and Part B). It contains important information related to the employee’s salary, tax, and TDS. See complete details in the graphic below- Question- What should be checked upon receiving Form 16? Answer- After receiving Form 16, you should not file ITR without checking it. First, match the information recorded in it with your documents. Especially check that- Keep in mind- Matching TDS information in Form 16 and Form 26AS/AIS is most important. This can help avoid problems like incorrect tax credit or delay in ITR processing. Question- Is Form 16 necessary for filing ITR? Answer- No. Form 16 is not mandatory for filing ITR. However, if you are a salaried employee, it is considered one of the most useful documents. It provides information about salary, taxable income, tax exemptions and TDS easily in one place. Question- What to do if Form 16 is not available? Answer- If Form 16 has not been received for any reason, ITR can still be filed. For this, some documents are necessary. See the list of all documents in the graphic- Question- How to file ITR? Answer- Let’s understand the complete process step-by-step- Step-1: Gather necessary documents Step-2: Calculate Total Income Step-3: Match Income and TDS Step-4: Add Tax Exemptions and Deductions Step-5: Calculate Tax Step-6: File ITR Question- Who are the people who do not receive Form 16? Answer- Form 16 is issued by the employer only to salaried employees. Therefore, people whose income is from sources other than salary or who do not have an employer do not receive Form 16. See in the graphic who does not receive Form 16- Keep in mind- Not receiving Form 16 does not mean that ITR does not need to be filed. If your income is eligible for filing ITR under income tax rules, then the return can be filed with the help of other documents as well. Question- What things should be kept in mind if changing jobs? Answer- If you have changed jobs during the financial year, then keep these things in mind while filing ITR- Keep in mind- The biggest mistake when changing jobs is not showing the combined salary from both companies. This can result in less tax being deposited and later interest or a notice from the Income Tax Department may also come. Question- What to do if Form 16 is received after filing ITR and there is a discrepancy in it? Answer- First check where the mistake is. After that, take action according to the situation. Question- What mistakes are made while filing ITR without Form 16? Answer- Filing ITR without Form 16 is not difficult, but even a little carelessness can cause trouble. Therefore, avoid making these mistakes-