What is Form 26AS? Comprehensive Guide for NRIs and Residents

Issued by the Income Tax Department, Form 26AS is an annual tax credit statement against your PAN. It contains all details of TCS, TDS, self-assessment tax, refunds, and major financial transactions for a financial year. However, according to the provisions of the new Income Tax Rules, 2026, Form 26AS has been replaced by Form 168. It is applicable for FY 2026-27. 

However, taxpayers must refer to Form 26AS for the current filing season. It is because Form 26AS applies to the income earned during the year FY 2025-26. Keep reading further to know more about Form 26AS. Also, we will cover what the AIS, TDS certificate, steps to download Form 26AS, and much more. 

What is Form 26AS?

Form 26AS serves as a master record that contains all the TDS deducted against your income in one place. Over the years, its scope expanded, and it now includes details related to all foreign remittances, mutual fund purchases, dividend income, and your turnover. 

When filing ITR, neglecting Form 26AS can significantly cost you. You may attract notice from the income tax department if you fail to report even a single transaction. While filing ITR, having Form 26AS ready can help you ensure an accurate and complete return. It also reduces the chances of scrutiny. 

What is the Structure and Parts of Form 26AS? 

To ensure a comprehensive overview of your tax, Form 26AS is divided into several parts: 

Part I: Related to Tax Deducted at Source

• • Report TDS on salary, profession, business, interest income, etc. 

Part II: Tax Deducted at Source for 15G/15H

• • No TDS is deducted due to Form 15G/15H, provided the income is less than the basic exemption limit.

Part III: Transaction Under Provisions to Section 194B/ First Provision to Sub-Section (1) of Section 194R/ Provision to Sub-Section (1) of Section 194S:

• • Tracks the TDS or 'in-kind' payments, such as car lotteries, foreign trips for meeting sales targets, and more.

Part IV: TDS u/s 194IA/ 194IB/ 194M/ 194S (For Contractors of Professionals/ Seller/ Property's Landlord/ Virtual Digital Asset Seller)

• • TDS made on the sale of house property/ rent payment in excess of ₹50,000 per month, 
  • Payment made to a contractor/ professional services in excess of ₹50 lakhs/ sale of a virtual digital asset (cryptocurrency). 

Part V - Transaction Under Provision to Sub-Section (1) of Section 194S as per Form- 26QE 

• • For the seller of Virtual Digital Asset

Part VI- Tax Collected at Source 

• • TCS made under various sections of 206C

Part VII - Paid Refund Details 

• • For which source is CPC TDS
  • For other details, refer to AIS at the e-filing portal

Part VIII - Tax Deducted at Source u/s 194IA/ 194B/ 194M/ 194S (For Buyer/tenant of property/ person making payment to contractors or professionals/ virtual digital asset buyer)

• • It contains details of the TDS made by you for purchasing a house property/rent payment exceeding ₹50,000 per month,
  • Payment to a contractor/ professional services exceeding ₹50 lakhs for the purchase of a virtual digital asset (cryptocurrency). Keep in mind that it is only for information purposes. 

Part IX - Transactions/ Demand Payments under Provision to sub-section (1) of Section 194S as per Form 26QE

• • For Buyer of Virtual Digital Asset

Part X - TDS/ TCS Defaults (Processing of Statements)

• • TDS default value (after processing TDS returns), but excluding demands raised by the assessing officer. 

Moving further, let's now vv discuss the information available on Form 26AS.

What are the Information Available on Form 26AS?

Form 26AS covers all the information mentioned below:

• • Self-assessment tax payments
  • Details of tax deducted at source (TDS)
  • Details of tax collected at source (TCS)
  • Advance tax paid by the taxpayer
  • Details of turnover reported in GSTR-3B
  • Specified financial transaction details
  • Pending and completed income-tax proceedings
  • Details related to the tax deducted on the sale of an immovable property
  • Regular assessment tax deposited by the taxpayers (PAN holders)
  • Income tax refund details received by you during the financial year
  • High-value transaction details regarding shares, mutual funds, etc.
  • Details of TDS defaults (after processing the TDS return) made during the year

Now that we know the structure of Form 26AS and the information it carries. Let's know how to access it. 

How to Download Form 26AS?

Taxpayers can download Form 26AS through their TRACES portal for the relevant financial year. Here are the steps to download Form 26AS:

• • Log in to your income tax portal
  • Find the e-file section → Income Tax Returns
  • Click on View Form 26AS
  • After that, you will be redirected to the TRACES portal 
  • Download the Form 26AS 

Moreover, you can also download Form 26AS through authorised banks using a net banking account. This will help avoid logging in to the income tax portal. NRIs can also access Form 26AS while staying abroad. Let's see how NRIs can access Form 26AS. 

How can NRIs Access Form 26AS from Outside India? 

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who earn income in India are liable to TDS at the applicable rates. It can include income from rent, interest, capital gains, or any other source. So, before filing the ITR, NRIs must use Form 26AS to verify the deductions. 

NRIs can access Form 26AS from anywhere in the world through the official Income Tax e-filing portal online. The process to download the Form 26AS for NRIs is the same as for resident taxpayers. You just need to log in to the portal using your PAN and password, find the View Form 26AS option, and download the statement from TRACES for AY 2026-27. 

You can receive OTP for verification on both Indian and international mobile numbers. Moreover, as an alternative, email-based OTP is available for those who don't have an active Indian number. Keep in mind that you can view Form 26AS only if your PAN is linked to a bank account. (Check whether it is mandatory to link PAN to view Form 26AS)

Moreover, NRIs who have their PAN linked to an NRE or NRO account with an authorised bank can also access Form 26AS via net banking. NRIs must check the TDS rates applied to their Indian income carefully. Interest income for NRIs is usually taxed at 30% (plus applicable surcharge and cess). This rate applies unless a reduced rate applies under a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). 

Capital gains acquired from the property sales are taxed at 20% for long-term gains. For claiming these TDS amounts as credit in the ITR, Form 26AS is the primary record. 

Form 26AS - Income Tax Act, 2025

Although starting from 1st April, 2026, the Income Tax Act 2025 comes into effect. However, the provisions of the 1961 Act apply for AY 2026-27 as it is applicable to income earned up to 31st March, 2026. Here is a table comparing sections from the Income Tax Act 1961 with the sections in the Income Tax Act 2025:

While downloading Form 26AS, you may face some errors that might seem normal, but may attract delays, penalties, or other issues. Let's know some of the common errors in Form 26AS. 

What are the Common Errors in Form 26AS?

Most taxpayers won't realize that the errors in Form 26AS are more common but can cause disadvantages. Here are some of the most common errors faced by taxpayers, along with ways to address them:

TDS Reflecting Partially or Not Reflecting At All

• • Issue: The most common reason behind this is that the deductor fails to deposit the collected tax with the government or fails to file the TDS return. Another reason can be that the deductor files the TDS return with the wrong PAN. 
  • Solution: To address this issue in any case, reach out to your deductor and ask them to rectify the filing.

Duplicate Entries

• • Issue:  A few transactions may appear more than once. This could be due to a submission error by the reporting entity.
  • Solution: Mark the duplicate entries in the AIS feedback portal.

Discrepancy in Transaction Date and Date of Booking

• • Issue: Transaction date means the date of credit or payment of income, whichever is earlier. Conversely, the date of booking refers to the date on which the TDS return is processed and the amount is booked in Form 26AS. This will always be after the TDS return is filed.
  • Solution: This mismatch or difference is normal and must not be considered an error.

Wrong PAN of the Deductee

• • Issue: The credit will not reach your Form 26AS if the deductor provides the wrong PAN information in the TDS return.
  • Solution: The deductor must file a corrected TDS return on the TRACES portal. Ensure to avoid filing your ITR until the error is rectified. 

Hence, the only way to correct an error in Form 26AS is by informing the deductor and asking them to file a rectified TDS return. The deductee (taxpayer) is not allowed to make corrections in Form 26AS directly. 

Now we know all about Form 26AS. However, do you know that there is another comprehensive document related to Form 26AS? It is AIS, let's learn about the Annual Information Statement (AIS).

What is an Annual Information Statement (AIS)?

To add new details, the Income Tax Department has introduced an Annual Information Statement (AIS). The information includes:

• • Dividend details
  • Off-market transactions
  • Mutual fund purchases
  • Foreign remittances
  • Interest on income tax refunds

Additionally, the information related to specific transactions is available with the tax department via the ITR filed by others. For example, the seller of the property reports the details of the buyers in their ITR. 

Although Form 26AS and AIS are related, there may be some differences between these two forms. Moving further, let's discuss these differences. 

What is the Difference Between Form 26AS and AIS?

The table below lists the key differences between Form 26AS and AIS:

Generally, there must be no differences in Form 26AS and AIS. However, if there is any inconsistency, Form 26AS is the official document that you must trust to report your taxes. 

Now, you must be confused, as there is another Form 16/16A. It is because Form 16/16A is also used for TDS. So, how does this differ from Form 26AS? Let's see why. 

TDS Certificate (Form 16/16A) and Form 26AS

A TDS certificate (Form 16/16A) and Form 26AS may seem to report the same information, but they have different purposes.

• • Form 16/16A is issued by the tax deductor, which is used as evidence to ensure that TDS has been deposited to the government under your PAN.
  • On the other hand, Form 26AS includes all the relevant information related to TDS/TCS, helping to file ITR. 
  • A mismatch between Form 26AS and the TDS certificate could happen due to a technical defect in the income tax portal or any other error.
  • In case Form 26AS is not reflecting TDS, the reason could be either an error or TDS not being deducted in the first place.
  • To confirm whether the TDS has been deducted and filed appropriately with the income tax department, connect with the deductor.
  • If this is not the case, then the other reason could be that the deductor has not deposited the deducted tax. In such situations, you must connect with the deductor and ask them to rectify it. 

Moreover, only Form 26AS is not sufficient to file ITR for a salaried person. It is because the form does not provide the income and deductions break-up claimed under Section 80C to Section 80U, which are available in TDS certificates. Hence, apart from Form 26AS, you also need a TDS certificate.

Difference Between Form 16, Form 16A, and Form 26AS

The table below lists the differences between Form 16, Form 16A, and Form 26AS:

The Bottom Line

In short, Form 26AS serves as the ultimate report for claiming TDS, TCS, and tax payments. It is crucial to avoid income tax discrepancies and ensure financial accuracy. You must regularly check this statement to verify your tax credit, identify any errors early, and prevent any potential tax notices. 

Moreover, as an NRI, if you need assistance with NRI ITR filing, connect with Savetaxs. We have a team of experts who can assist you with the entire ITR filing process. Our experts can simplify your tax liabilities, maximize deductions, and help with everything without you having to go through the complex and stressful process. 

Connect with us right away, as we are working 24/7 across all time zones.