Wondering if you can download Form 16 online by yourself?
The short and correct answer is — No, you generally cannot download Form 16 directly by yourself from any government portal. According to the Income Tax Department, Form 16 is provided by the employer to their employee at the end of each financial year.
But don’t worry — this guide will walk you through all the official ways to get Form 16, including how your employer can generate it, how you can check if it’s available on the Income Tax portal, and what alternatives exist both online and offline.
What is Form 16?
Form 16 is an official certificate under Section 203 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It shows the TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) deducted by your employer from your salary and deposited with the government.
It is issued by your Employer, not by the Income Tax Department.
It contains salary details, deductions under 80C, 80D, etc., exemptions under Section 10, TDS details, PAN, and TAN information.
Its purpose is to help in filing ITR (Income Tax Return). It acts as a proof of tax paid.
Can I Download Form 16 Myself?
No. You cannot generate or download Form 16 by yourself directly from any government portal.
It is generated only by the employers through the official TRACES Portal.
The Income Tax Portal does not provide a guaranteed download unless your employer uploads it, which is optional and rarely done.
How Can You Get Form 16 in 2025?
1) From Your Employer (Primary Method)
Most organizations email it or provide access via an HR portal. This is the most reliable and official source.
2) Offline (Physical Copy)
You may request a printed copy if your organization doesn’t share it digitally.3) Employer-Uploaded on Income Tax Portal (Rare)
Some employers upload Form 16 while filing TDS returns.You can log in to incometax.gov.in and navigate to: e-Filing Dashboard → View Filed Returns → TDS → Form 16 (if available)
Note: This option works only if uploaded by your employer, which is not mandatory.
How to Download Form 16 Using PAN Number?
You cannot download Form 16 using only your PAN number. Form 16 is not publicly accessible due to sensitive salary and tax data.
Instead, your PAN is used by your employer to -
- File TDS returns via TRACES
- Link your salary and tax info
How to Generate Form 16 from TRACES Portal (For Employers)
If you're an employer, here’s how to generate it:
Go to the TRACES Portal.
Log in using your TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number)
Navigate to Downloads → Form 16
Enter required details (PAN of employee, TDS return filing period, etc.)
Generate and download Part A and Part B
Note - Employees cannot log in to TRACES — only employers can.
Summary Table: Ways to Get Form 16
| Method | Who Can Access? | Requires Employer Action? | Available for All? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer (Email/HR Portal) | Employee | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| TRACES (Generate) | Employer Only | ✅ Yes | 🚫 No |
| Income Tax Portal (if uploaded) | Employee | ✅ Yes | 🚫 No |
| Bank (for Pensioners, Form 16A) | Pensioners | ✅ Yes | 🚫 No |
Can I Get Form 16 from My Bank?
If you're a pensioner, you may receive a Form 16A (TDS Certificate) from your bank, not Form 16 for salary.
- Form 16A is issued for TDS on interest income or pension.
- Downloadable from your net banking portal (e.g., SBI, HDFC, ICICI, etc.)
Tip: Check your bank's tax documents section after May every year.
When is Form 16 Available for Download?
The deadline to issue Form 16 is 15th June every year for the previous financial year. If you haven’t received it by then, contact your HR or employer’s finance department.
How to Check Form 16 Online (If Employer Uploaded It)
Steps:
Visit: https://www.incometax.gov.in
Log in with PAN and OTP/password
Go to: e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns
If available, you’ll see an option to Download Form 16
This is optional — it depends on whether your employer uploaded it or not.
Conclusion: What You Should Do
If you're waiting for Form 16:
1) Ask your employer or HR department directly.
2) Check your office HRMS or payroll portal.
3) Don’t rely on the government portal unless your employer explicitly says they uploaded it.
If you're an employer:
Log in to TRACES and generate Form 16 from there.
Hope this cleared your doubts about “Can I download Form 16 online?”
Now that you know the right process, don’t wait — Contact your employer today to get your Form 16 on time.
For more helpful guides like this on income tax, TDS, and filing ITRs, subscribe to our blog or check out our related posts below.
Also Read - Is Form 16 and Salary Slip Same? Know the Key Differences
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