ITR Filing Alert: Important Steps for Taxpayers With Multiple Form 16s
Salaried employees who changed jobs during the FY 2025-26 may receive multiple Form 16s and must carefully combine the details while filing their Income Tax Returns (ITR).
If a taxpayer worked with more than one company during the financial year, each employer is required to issue a separate Form 16 covering the salary paid and TDS deducted during the employment period.
For example:
- Company A issues Form 16 for April to September
- Company B issues Form 16 for October to March
What is Form 16?
Form 16 is a salary TDS certificate issued by employers. It includes:
- Salary income details
- Tax deductions
- Exemptions claimed
- TDS deposited with the Income Tax Department
Steps to File ITR With Multiple Form 16s
- Collect Form 16 from all employers
- Combine total salary income from all forms
- Add total TDS deducted
- Verify details using Form 26AS and AIS (Annual Information Statement)
- File the ITR using consolidated income figures
Tax experts advise taxpayers to carefully check Form 26AS and AIS to avoid mismatches between employer records and Income Tax Department data.
If Form 16 Is Not Issued
Even if a previous employer delays issuing Form 16, taxpayers can still file returns using:
- Salary slips
- Bank statements
- Appointment or relieving letters
- Form 26AS and AIS records
Common Mistake to Avoid
Many employees fail to inform their new employer about salary earned from the previous job. This can lead to incorrect TDS deductions and unexpected tax payments while filing the return.
Taxpayers are advised to review all salary and tax details carefully before submitting their ITR for the assessment year.
