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August 3, 2026
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BySteffy A
Form 16A Password Format: Steps to Open the TDS Certificate
Introduction
The Form 16A password is required to open a non-salary TDS certificate downloaded from the TRACES portal. According to the official TRACES guidance, the deductor’s TAN entered in capital letters is used as the password.
Form 16A of TDS was issued under the Income-tax Act, 1961. For TDS relating to FY 2026–27 onwards, Form 131 is the corresponding certificate for most regular non-salary deductions under the Income-tax Act, 2025. Form 16A continues to apply to relevant TDS deductions governed by the Income-tax Act, 1961, including certificates issued after 1 April 2026 for an earlier period.
The applicable certificate depends on the period to which the TDS relates, not merely the date on which the certificate is issued. For example, a Form 16A for January-March 2026 may be generated or issued after 1 April 2026. It will still remain Form 16A because the TDS relates to FY 2025–26 under the Income-tax Act, 1961.
In this blog, you will learn about the correct Form 16A password format, the steps to open the certificate, solutions for password errors, and the applicability of Form 16A before 1 April 2026 and Form 131 from 1 April 2026.
What Is Form 16A of TDS?
Form 16A is a TDS certificate issued for tax deducted from payments other than salary. Under the Income-tax Act, 1961, it was prescribed under Section 203 read with Rule 31 of the Income-tax Rules, 1962. This provision should not be confused with Section 203 of the Companies Act, 2013, which governs the appointment of Key Managerial Personnel under Section 203 read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014.
Form 16A may cover TDS deducted from:
- Interest other than interest on securities
- Professional or technical fees
- Commission or brokerage
- Rent
- Contractual payments
- Insurance commission
- Other specified non-salary payments
The certificate confirms the amount paid or credited to the deductee and the tax deducted from that payment. It also provides details of the tax deposited with the Central Government.
A deductee can use the certificate to check whether the TDS amount is correctly recorded before filing the income tax return.
Details Available in Form 16A
Form 16A generally contains:
- Name and address of the deductor
- Name and address of the deductee
- PAN of the deductor and deductee
- TAN of the deductor
- Nature of payment
- Amount paid or credited
- Applicable TDS rate
- Amount of tax deducted
- Amount of tax deposited
- Challan or book-adjustment details
- Financial year and quarter
- Certificate number
The deductee should verify these details after opening the certificate with the correct Form 16A password.
What Is the Form 16A Password?
The Form 16A password is the TAN of the deductor entered in capital letters. TAN is a ten-character alphanumeric number allotted to a person responsible for deducting or collecting tax at source.
The password is not based on the deductee’s PAN, name or date of birth. The official TRACES instructions specify the deductor’s TAN in uppercase as the password for Form 16A of TDS.
Form 16A Password Format
The correct format is: Deductor’s TAN in capital letters
For example, suppose the deductor’s TAN is: ABCD12345E
The Form 16A password will be: ABCD12345E
The TAN should be entered without spaces, hyphens or special characters.
Steps to Open Form 16A Using the Password
Follow these steps to access the certificate:
- Download the Form 16A file received from the deductor.
- Open the PDF using a compatible PDF reader.
- Enter the deductor’s TAN in capital letters.
- Check that there are no spaces before or after the TAN.
- Click on the option to open the document.
- Verify the payment and TDS details shown in the certificate.
If the Form 16A password is correct, the PDF should open. If it does not, confirm the deductor’s TAN and check whether the certificate file was downloaded correctly.
Why Is Form 16A Password-Protected?
Form 16A contains sensitive tax and financial information. It may include the PAN of the deductee, TAN of the deductor, payment details and the amount of TDS deposited.
Password protection limits unauthorized access to this information. However, it does not replace the need to store the certificate safely.
Taxpayers should avoid sharing the Form 16A password or TDS certificate through unsecured platforms.
What to Do If the Form 16A Password Is Not Working?
The Form 16A password may not work because of incorrect capitalization, extra spaces, an incorrect TAN or a damaged file. The following checks can help:
Use the Deductor’s TAN: Enter the TAN of the person or entity that deducted the tax. Do not enter the PAN of the deductee.
Use Capital Letters: The TAN must be entered in uppercase. Lowercase letters may result in a password error.
Remove Spaces and Symbols: Do not use spaces, hyphens or other special characters while entering the Form 16A password.
Verify the TAN Format: A TAN normally contains ten alphanumeric characters. Confirm that every letter and number has been entered correctly.
Use an Updated PDF Reader: An outdated or incompatible PDF application may fail to open the certificate even if the password is correct.
Download the File Again: The downloaded file may be incomplete or corrupted. Ask the deductor to download and share the certificate again.
Contact the Deductor: If the Form 16A password still does not work, contact the deductor and confirm the TAN used to generate the certificate.
Form 16A Replaced by Form 131 from 1 April 2026
The Income-tax Act, 2025 and Income-tax Rules, 2026 came into force on 1 April 2026. Under the new framework, Form 131 is the corresponding certificate for most regular non-salary TDS deductions.
Form 131 is prescribed under Rule 215(1) of the Income-tax Rules, 2026 and issued under Section 395(4) of the Income-tax Act, 2025.
It contains details such as:
- Name, address, PAN and TAN of the deductor
- Name, address and PAN of the deductee
- Relevant tax year and quarter
- Nature and amount of payment
- TDS rate and amount
- Receipt number of the TDS statement
- Challan Identification Number or Book Identification Number
- Status of matching with the tax-payment system
The basic purpose of Form 131 remains similar to that of Form 16A. Both certificates provide evidence of tax deducted from non-salary payments and deposited with the Central Government under their respective laws.
Understanding Form 131 under the Income-tax Act, 2025
Form 131 follows the tax-year framework introduced under the Income-tax Act, 2025. It is required to be generated and downloaded from the web portal specified by the Director General of Income-tax (Systems) or a person authorized by the Director General.
Under Rule 215, the deductor must generally furnish Form 131 within 15 days from the due date for filing the applicable TDS statement under Rule 219.
Taxpayers and deductors dealing with TDS for FY 2026–27 onwards should understand its contents, due date and application under the new law.
Read our detailed guide on Form 131 of TDS to understand its applicability, contents, due date and issuance process under the Income-tax Act, 2025.
Form 16A vs Form 131: Before and After 1 April 2026
|
Basis |
Before 1 April 2026 |
From 1 April 2026 |
|
Applicable law |
Income-tax Act, 1961 | Income-tax Act, 2025 |
| TDS certificate | Form 16A |
Form 131 for applicable deductions |
|
Governing section |
Section 203 | Section 395(4) |
| Governing rule | Rule 31 |
Rule 215 |
|
Applicability |
Non-salary TDS payments | Most regular non-salary TDS payments |
| Due date | Within 15 days from the relevant TDS statement due date |
Within 15 days from the statement due date under Rule 219 |
|
Source |
TRACES portal |
Portal specified by the Income Tax Department |
What Should You Do for TDS Before 1 April 2026?
If the TDS relates to a period governed by the Income-tax Act, 1961, the deductor should issue Form 16A. The deductee should:
- Obtain Form 16A from the deductor.
- Use the correct Form 16A password to open it.
- Retain the certificate for income tax records.
- Match its details with Form 168 (earlier Form 26AS) and other applicable records.
- Contact the deductor if the PAN, payment amount or TDS details are incorrect.
- Request a corrected or duplicate certificate where required.
A valid Form 16A issued under the old law does not become invalid merely because the Income-tax Act, 2025 came into force.
An old certificate does not need to be converted into Form 131. It should be retained for the financial year and quarter for which it was issued.
What Should You Do for TDS from 1 April 2026?
For TDS compliances relating to FY 2026–27 onwards:
- The deductor should follow the Income-tax Act, 2025.
- The applicable statement should be filed under the new framework.
- Form 131 should be generated for applicable non-salary deductions.
- The certificate should be issued within the prescribed time.
- The deductee should verify the payment and TDS details.
- Any error should be reported to the deductor for correction.
The official TRACES portal provides a separate option for compliances relating to FY 2026–27 onwards under the Income-tax Act, 2025.
Does Form 131 Have the Same Password as Form 16A?
The Income-tax Rules, 2026 prescribe the contents and legal requirements of Form 131. However, the statutory Form does not independently prescribe a PDF-opening password.
Therefore, taxpayers should not automatically assume that the Form 16A password format will apply to every Form 131 file. They should follow the password instructions shown on the applicable Income Tax or TRACES portal or provided with the downloaded certificate.
The portal instructions may confirm the password format separately from the statutory Form.
When Is Form 132 Issued Instead of Form 131?
Form 131 is not used for every non-salary TDS transaction under the Income-tax Act, 2025.
Form 132 applies to specified transactions for which TDS is reported through the unified challan-cum-statement in Form 141. These include prescribed cases involving:
- Transfer of immovable property
- Rent payments
- Certain contractual payments
- Professional or technical fees
- Commission or brokerage
- Transfer of virtual digital assets
Form 132 must generally be furnished within 15 days from the due date for filing Form 141.
Therefore, it is legally more accurate to state that Form 131 replaces Form 16A for most regular non-salary TDS deductions. It does not replace every type of non-salary TDS certificate.
Who Can Download and Issue the TDS Certificate?
The deductor is responsible for generating, downloading and issuing the TDS certificate. The deductee generally receives it from the person or entity that deducted the tax.
For the old-law period, Form 16A downloaded from TRACES is treated as the valid certificate. The authorized person of the deductor must sign it manually or digitally before issuing it.
Under the new framework, the deductor must generate the applicable certificate from the portal prescribed by the Income Tax Department.
How to Verify the TDS Certificate
After opening the certificate using the Form 16A password or the applicable Form 131 password, verify:
- Deductee’s name and PAN
- Deductor’s name, PAN and TAN
- Nature of payment
- Amount paid or credited
- TDS rate
- Amount of TDS
- Date of deduction
- Date of tax deposit
- Challan or book-adjustment details
- Relevant quarter and tax period
If any information is incorrect, contact the deductor. A deductee cannot directly correct the TDS statement filed by the deductor.
Importance of the TDS Certificate for ITR Filing
A TDS certificate helps the taxpayer verify the tax deducted from their income. However, the certificate should not be checked in isolation.
The taxpayer should reconcile the payment and TDS details with the applicable tax-credit statement, income records and bank statements. A difference in PAN, payment amount or deposited tax may affect the TDS credit available while filing the income tax return.
Mistakes While Entering the Form 16A Password
Avoid the following errors:
- Entering the deductee’s PAN
- Using the deductee’s date of birth
- Typing the TAN in lowercase
- Adding spaces or hyphens
- Entering an incomplete TAN
- Using another deductor’s TAN
- Trying to open an incomplete or corrupted file
- Assuming that Form 131 must use the same password
The correct password for Form 16A of TDS is the deductor’s TAN entered in uppercase.
Need Assistance with Income Tax Return Filing?
A TDS certificate helps you verify the tax deducted from your income, but it is only one part of the return-filing process. The income reported in Form 16A or Form 131 should be matched with the applicable tax-credit statement, bank records and other income documents before filing the return.
A mismatch in PAN, payment amount or TDS credit may lead to an incorrect tax calculation or a difference in the credit claimed. If the error relates to the TDS certificate, the taxpayer should contact the deductor because only the deductor can correct the underlying TDS statement.
Ebizfiling can assist individuals and businesses with:
- Selecting the applicable income tax return
- Reporting salary and non-salary income
- Reviewing available TDS details for return filing
- Claiming eligible deductions and tax credits
- Preparing and filing the income tax return
Need professional assistance with income tax return filing? Contact Ebizfiling.
Conclusion
The Form 16A password is the deductor’s TAN entered in capital letters without spaces or special characters. Taxpayers should not use their PAN, date of birth or name to open the certificate.
Form 16A remains relevant for applicable TDS certificates issued under the Income-tax Act, 1961. It does not become invalid merely because the new law has taken effect. From 1 April 2026, Form 131 applies to most corresponding non-salary TDS deductions under Section 395(4) and Rule 215.
Taxpayers should retain the certificate applicable to the relevant period and match its details with their tax records before filing the income tax return. For specified transactions reported through Form 141, the applicable TDS certificate is Form 132 instead of Form 131.
Suggested Reads:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the prescribed Form 16A password format in TRACES?
The Form 16A password is the deductor’s ten-character TAN entered in capital letters. It must be entered without spaces, hyphens or special characters.
2. Why does the Form 16A password show an error even when the TAN is correct?
The error may occur because of lowercase letters, additional spaces, an incomplete download or an incompatible PDF reader. Verify the TAN, update the PDF reader and download the certificate again.
3. Is the Form 16A password based on the deductor’s TAN or deductee’s PAN?
The Form 16A password is based on the deductor’s TAN. The deductee’s PAN, date of birth and name are not used for opening Form 16A.
4. Can Form 16A be generated if the deductee’s PAN is invalid?
TRACES generally generates Form 16A only for a valid PAN reported in the TDS statement. The deductor may need to correct the PAN in the underlying TDS statement before generating the certificate.
5. Does the Form 16A password change after a correction statement is processed?
No. The Form 16A password remains the deductor’s TAN. However, the deductor should download and issue the updated certificate after the correction statement is processed.
6. Which TDS certificate applies to Q4 of FY 2025–26 if it is issued after 1 April 2026?
Form 16A applies because the underlying deduction relates to FY 2025–26 and is governed by the Income-tax Act, 1961. The date of issuance alone does not change the certificate to Form 131.
7. Under which provision is Form 131 issued for FY 2026–27 onwards?
Form 131 is prescribed under Rule 215(1) and issued under Section 395(4) of the Income-tax Act, 2025. It applies to most regular non-salary TDS deductions covered by the relevant entries under Sections 392 and 393.
8. Does the Form 16A password format automatically apply to Form 131?
The Form 16A password format should not automatically be applied to Form 131. The statutory Form and Income-tax Rules, 2026 do not independently prescribe a PDF-opening password for Form 131. Users should follow the applicable portal instructions.
9. Can Ebizfiling correct a mismatch between Form 16A and Form 26AS?
Only the deductor can correct the underlying TDS statement. Ebizfiling can help identify the mismatch while reviewing records for ITR filing, but the deductor must file the applicable correction statement. For a better understanding of tax credit mismatches and filing discrepancies, explore our comprehensive guide on resolving ITR filing errors.
10. Can Ebizfiling help claim TDS credit if Form 16A shows an unmatched challan?
Ebizfiling can assist with reviewing the available TDS credit while preparing the income tax return. However, an unmatched challan must be corrected by the deductor through the applicable TRACES correction process before the credit is properly reflected.
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