-
June 30, 2026
-
BySteffy A
Recent Changes in Form 26AS: What Taxpayers Need to Know
Introduction
Among the recent changes in Form 26AS, one of the most significant updates is its renaming as Form 168 under the Income Tax Act 2025, effective from 1 April 2026. This change is part of the government’s effort to simplify tax laws and align tax forms with the new legislative framework. Understanding these changes can help taxpayers avoid confusion and ensure accurate tax compliance.
Form 26AS has long been an important document for taxpayers in India. It acts as a consolidated tax statement that helps taxpayers verify details such as Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), Tax Collected at Source (TCS), advance tax payments, and tax refunds before filing their Income Tax Return (ITR).
What is Form 26AS?
Form 26AS is a tax credit statement that contains information related to taxes linked to a taxpayer’s PAN. It helps taxpayers verify whether the taxes deducted or collected on their behalf have been correctly deposited with the Income Tax Department.
The statement generally includes:
- TDS deducted by employers and other deductors
- TCS collected by sellers
- Advance tax payments
- Self-assessment tax payments
- Tax refunds received
- Certain high-value financial transactions
Before filing an ITR, taxpayers should also review important documents such as Form 16 of Income Tax and Form 26AS to ensure that all information is reported correctly.
Note: Form 168 (earlier Form 26AS) is an Annual Information Statement (AIS) that provides a consolidated view of tax credits, tax payments, refunds, specified financial transactions, and other prescribed information linked to a taxpayer’s PAN.
What Are the Recent Changes in Form 26AS?
The most important among the recent changes in Form 26AS is the introduction of Form 168 under the Income Tax Act, 2025.
Earlier, taxpayers used Form 26AS as their consolidated tax statement under the Income Tax Act, 1961. With the implementation of the new Income Tax Act, 2025, Form 26AS has been renumbered and will now be referred to as Form 168.
For tax years beginning on or after 1 April 2026, Form 26AS is referred to as Form 168 under the new law. Historical records and earlier filings may still refer to Form 26AS.
This change is primarily administrative and forms part of the broader restructuring of tax provisions and forms under the new law. If you are planning to file your return, it is also important to understand the process to file ITR and verify all tax-related information before submission.
How to Download Form 26AS of Income Tax?
Step 1: Login to the Income Tax Portal
Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal and log in using your PAN/Aadhaar and password.
Step 2: Go to Form 26AS
Navigate to: e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Form 26AS
Step 3: Proceed to TRACES
Read the disclaimer and click “Proceed” to access the TRACES portal.
Step 4: Select “View Tax Credit (Form 26AS)”
Choose the option to view your tax credit statement.
Step 5: Choose the Assessment Year
Select the relevant Assessment Year (AY) for which you want to download Form 26AS.
Step 6: Select the Format
Choose one of the available formats: HTML/ Text/ PDF
Step 7: Download Form 26AS
Click “View/Download” and save the statement for future reference.
Note: Verify Form 26AS with Form 16, AIS, and other income documents before filing your Income Tax Return (ITR).
Form 26AS Renamed as Form 168
One of the key recent changes in Form 26AS is its new name, Form 168.
The purpose of Form 168 remains largely similar to that of Form 26AS. It continues to provide taxpayers with information regarding:
- Tax deducted at source (TDS)
- Tax collected at source (TCS)
- Advance tax payments
- Self-assessment tax payments
- Tax refunds
- Specified financial transactions
The renaming does not change the fundamental purpose of the statement. Instead, it aligns the form numbering system with the new Income Tax Act, 2025.
Why Was Form 26AS Renamed as Form 168?
The government introduced the Income Tax Act, 2025 to simplify tax provisions and make tax laws easier to understand.
As part of this restructuring exercise:
- Several sections have been renumbered.
- Tax terminology has been simplified.
- Various forms have been assigned new numbers.
- Existing compliance processes have been reorganized.
Therefore, one of the notable recent changes in Form 26AS is its transition to Form 168. The objective is to create a more streamlined and user-friendly tax framework for taxpayers.
Important: For tax years governed by the Income-tax Act, 1961, taxpayers may still encounter references to Form 26AS. Form 168 applies under the Income-tax Act, 2025 framework effective from 1 April 2026. Historical records and earlier assessment years may continue to use the old form numbering.
How Do the Recent Changes in Form 26AS Affect Taxpayers?
The recent changes in Form 26AS are expected to improve clarity and consistency in tax administration. These changes may benefit taxpayers in the following ways:
Better Understanding of Tax Records
The new framework aims to simplify tax-related information and make compliance easier.
Improved Transparency
Taxpayers can continue to access important tax information through a consolidated statement.
Easier Verification Before ITR Filing
Form 168 will help taxpayers verify tax credits and income details before filing their Income Tax Return.
Reduced Reporting Errors
Reviewing Form 168 before filing can help identify discrepancies and reduce the chances of receiving notices from the tax department.
Confused About Form 26AS and Form 168?
Understanding the recent changes in Form 26AS is essential for accurate tax filing. EbizFiling can help you verify your tax information, reconcile Form 168 with your income records, and ensure smooth Income Tax Return filing.
Connect with EbizFiling today and file your ITR with confidence.
Suggested Reads:
Documents Required for Income Tax Return: Complete Checklist
Conclusion
Among the recent changes in Form 26AS, the most significant update is its renaming as Form 168 under the Income Tax Act, 2025. While the form number has changed, its purpose continues to remain largely the same; providing taxpayers with a consolidated view of their tax-related information.
Taxpayers should review Form 168 carefully before filing their Income Tax Return to ensure that all tax credits, payments, and financial transactions are accurately reflected. Staying informed about these changes can help taxpayers comply with tax laws and avoid unnecessary filing errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do i do if the amount of TDS is wrongly reflected in my Form 26AS?
The reason for this may be that the deductor (Bank/Employer) has made an error in its data entry. You will have to take up this issue to deductor and rectify the amount by filing the TDS Statement on the Income Tax website.
2. Can i make changes to the name or other details of in FOrm 26AS?
Yes, if the details of the deductee are incorrect, you can update this by filing an application through the ‘Request for new PAN card or/and changes or correction in PAN data’ option on the official Income Tax website.
3. What is the meaning of the dateof booking and transaction date in Form 26AS?
Date of booking means the date on which CPC has processed the TDS Return and amount gets recorded in Form 26AS. Whereas the transaction date means the date of credit or payment whichever is earlier.
4. Are Form 26AS and AIS the same thing?
Compared to Form 26AS, AIS (Annual Information Statement) is a a complete financial summary of all the data such as salary, interests accrued on fixed or Savings Bank Accounts, financial transactions like purchase and sales of Mutual Fund (MF), Shares etc. or dividend received on it during the year, etc.
5. How does Form 168 help in verifying tax credits before ITR filing?
Form 168 (earlier Form 26AS) provides details of TDS return filing, TCS, advance tax, self-assessment tax, and tax refunds linked to a taxpayer’s PAN. Before filing an Income Tax Return, taxpayers should reconcile these details with Form 16, AIS, and other financial records. EbizFiling helps taxpayers review tax credits and ensure accurate ITR filing.
6. Why is Form 168 important for tax compliance?
Form 168 serves as a consolidated tax statement that helps taxpayers verify taxes deducted, collected, or paid on their behalf. Reviewing the form can help ensure accurate income tax reporting and reduce the chances of discrepancies.
7. Can expert assistance help me file an ITR using information available in Form 168?
Yes. EbizFiling assists taxpayers in reviewing Form 168, reconciling tax credits, verifying income details, selecting the appropriate ITR form, and filing Income Tax Returns accurately in accordance with the latest tax regulations.
8. Is Form 168 sufficient for filing an Income Tax Return?
No. Form 168 provides important tax-related information, but taxpayers should also review Form 16, AIS, bank statements, capital gain statements, and investment proofs to ensure accurate reporting of income and deductions while filing an ITR.
9. Does Form 168 contain information about high-value financial transactions?
Yes. Form 168 may include details of specified financial transactions (SFTs) reported to the Income Tax Department, such as high-value deposits, investments, property transactions, and other reportable financial activities.
10. What should taxpayers do if there is a mismatch in Form 168?
If the information in Form 168 does not match your income records or tax documents, you should verify the details with the deductor, employer, bank, or financial institution concerned and ensure the discrepancy is resolved before filing your Income Tax Return.
TDS Return
Quickly file error-free TDS Returns with EbizFIling. This ensures seamless credit to the deductee.
About Ebizfiling -
Reviews
Ashish Paliwal
29 Sep 2018Let me be honest and tell you that I did not choose eBiz filing after my initial LLP company registration did to pricing. A lot of companies contact me with better rates so I generally choose them. However, I will still rate eBiz filing 10/10 on work ethics. You guys are professionals in true sense.
Joel D’souza
18 Apr 2018My Company Annual Filling is very well looked after them and I am extremely satisfied and would definitely recommend them for the same.
Nihar Chandrana
03 Jul 2017I loved the way they have served us. Good going team!
July 13, 2026 By Steffy A
Form 79 under the Income Tax Act 2025: Investment Fund Filing Guide Overview Form 79 under the Income Tax Act is a statement used by investment funds to report income paid or credited to unit holders. It is furnished under […]
July 10, 2026 By Steffy A
Form 130 under the Income Tax Act for Salary TDS Certificate Introduction Form 130 under the Income Tax Act is the new TDS certificate for salary, pension, and specified senior citizen interest income. It replaces Form 16 from Tax Year […]
July 9, 2026 By Steffy A
AML obligations for Practicing CS under FIU-IND Framework Introduction AML obligations for Practicing CS are becoming increasingly important in today’s evolving regulatory environment, where the role of Practicing Company Secretaries has expanded beyond traditional compliance functions into areas involving corporate […]