What is Form 26AS? Who should file Form 26AS? How to view and download Form 26AS Online

Form 26AS, also known as Tax Credit Statement, is a statement that provides details of any amount that is deducted as TDS/ TCS from various sources of taxpayers' income. It shows details of high-value transactions, and advance tax/ self-assessment tax paid by the taxpayer. 

It is an important document required while filing taxes. The form is linked with your PAN, and it is a consolidated record of all the information related to tax. The taxpayers should verify the contents of the TDS Certificate and make sure that the TDS deducted from their income is submitted to the Income Tax Department.
The data of taxpayers was made available in a new Form 26AS with effect from June 1, 2020
The following information is available on Form 26AS:

• Tax deducted at source and tax collected at source
• Pending and completed income tax proceedings 
• Income tax payments such as advance tax and self-assessment tax paid by the taxpayer
• Details of specified financial transactions
• Tax demands and tax refunds

Here's how to view and download Form 26AS Online?

There are two modes that allow you to view Form 26AS online

• The net banking facility of your bank account
• The TRACES portal

Here's how to view Form 26AS through net banking?

A person holding a PAN and having an active net banking account can view Form 26AS online. The Form 26AS can only be viewed if the person’s PAN is linked with his/ her bank account. This facility does not involve any cost. 

The following banks that are registered with NSDL allow viewing Form 26AS-

• Bank of India
• Corporation Bank
• Axis Bank
• Bank of Maharashtra
• ICICI Bank
• Bank of Baroda
• Citibank, N.A.
• Bank of India
• Karnataka Bank
• City Union Bank Limited
• Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited
• Indian Bank
• UCO Bank
• State Bank of Patiala
• IDBI Bank Limited
• State Bank of India
• Union Bank of India
• Indian Overseas Bank
• Oriental Bank of Commerce
• The Sarawat Co-operative Bank Limited
• State Bank of Mysore
• The Federal Bank Limited
• State Bank of Travancore

Here's how to view and download Form 26AS from the TRACES portal:

1. Visit the e-filing website.
2. Enter your User ID. The ID can either be your PAN or Aadhar Number. Continue with valid user credentials if your credentials will be invalid, a message will pop up.
3. To continue, enter the password.
4. A screen will appear.
5. Go to e-file and click on Income Tax Refunds.
6. In the drop-down menu, select View Form 26AS.
7. You will be able to view Form 26AS.
8. A box with a disclaimer will pop up. Click on Confirm and you will be directed to the TRACES website. 
9. When the TRACES portal opens, a box will appear. Check the box and click on Proceed. 
10. Click on the link at the bottom of the page which says View Tax Credit.
11. Choose the Assessment year and the format in which you want to view Form 26AS. You can also choose to download it as a PDF, and if you wish to view it online leave it as HTML.
12. After you made your choice, enter the verification code and click on View/ Download button.
13. You can now view the downloaded PDF of your Form 26AS

Thus, Form 26AS allows you to view all the necessary information on financial transactions involving TDS/ TCS of the relevant financial year on Form 26AS.