How to Download Your TDS Certificate from TRACES

If you’ve ever needed proof of the tax deducted on your income, you’ve likely searched for how to access it online. Knowing how to download your TDS certificate from TRACES makes tax filing and financial record-keeping far simpler. TRACES, the official Income Tax Department portal, allows taxpayers to view and download different TDS certificates, including Form 16, Form 16A, and Form 26QB. While the steps are straightforward, many people still feel confused when they visit the site for the first time.

Before you go ahead with the TDS certificate download procedure, kindly ensure that you possess an active login to the TRACES portal. If you are a salaried person, your company normally issues Form 16. Nevertheless, taking the step to download it yourself from TRACES will make sure that you have the right version and the latest one. This becomes very handy in case you have changed your job or need the old certificates for tax assessment.

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To start, log in to the TDS TRACES portal using your User ID, password, and PAN. After that, navigate to the ‘Downloads’ section. Here, you’ll find the option to download various certificates. Selecting the type of form you need, such as Form 16 or Form 16A, takes you to a page where you confirm details like the financial year and the deductor’s TAN. After this, TRACES generates a request number. Once the request is processed, you can download the file from the ‘Requested Downloads’ tab. These simple steps form the core of the TRACES TDS certificate steps that most taxpayers use.

For many individuals, the biggest question is how to download Form 16 from TRACES when they don’t receive it directly from their employer. The process is the same, provided the employer has correctly uploaded the TDS return. TRACES fetches information from these returns, which allows you to access the certificate. If there’s any mismatch, it’s usually due to incorrect details in the filing.

Understanding your TDS details is a key part of tax planning. If you’re looking to reduce your tax liability while building long-term wealth, explore ELSS mutual funds for effective tax savings.