Introduction
India’s tax system is undergoing a major change after more than 6 decades. The new Income Tax Act, 2025, replaces the Income Tax Act, 1961, and introduces several updates to make tax filing easier and more transparent for taxpayers. Along with this, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has introduced revised income tax forms under the new Income Tax Rules, 2026, effective from 1st April 2026.
A major change under the new system is the replacement of Form 26AS with Form 168. The new form provides taxpayers with a single place to check important tax-related details, including TDS, TCS, tax payments, refunds, and certain financial transactions linked to their PAN.
The department automatically generates Form 168 and can be accessed through the income tax e-filing portal, TRACES, or authorised bank websites. The main purpose of introducing this form is to make tax filing easier, improve transparency, and reduce mistakes while filing returns. In this blog, we will explore what Form 168 is, its features, why it was introduced, and how it will help taxpayers.
Form 26 AS or Form 168
Under the new Income Tax Act, 2025, Form 26AS has officially been replaced by Form 168. Earlier, Form 26AS was one of the most important tax documents used by salaried employees, freelancers, investors, and business owners while filing income tax returns. It worked like a tax passbook, showing all tax-related details linked to a taxpayer’s PAN.
With the introduction of the new tax system, Form 168 now becomes the updated version of Form 26AS under the revised Income Tax Rules, 2026. The purpose of this new form is to provide taxpayers with a more complete and transparent view of their tax and financial information in one place.
Form 168 includes important details such as:
- Tax Deducted at Source (TDS),
- Tax Collected at Source (TCS)
- Payment of advance, self-assessment, and regular taxes.
- Specified Financial Transactions (SFTs)
- Demand and refund details
- Status of pending and completed proceedings.
- Any other information as prescribed under Income Tax Rule 245.
Similar to the AIS framework, Form 168 helps taxpayers review all their tax-related information before filing returns.The updated form is introduced mainly to improve transparency, reduce filing errors, and make tax compliance easier.
Since employers, banks, mutual funds, and other reporting entities regularly share financial details with the Income Tax Department, taxpayers should carefully verify the information shown in Form 168. Checking the form before filing returns can help avoid mismatches, notices, or delays in refund processing.
Difference Between Form 26AS and Form 168?
Among all the income tax form renaming updates, the change from Form 26AS to Form 168 is one of the most important for taxpayers to understand. This is because many people regularly check this form during tax filing, often without fully knowing its purpose.
Form 26AS, now called Form 168, has always been an important tax document linked to your PAN. It shows all the taxes deposited against your name, including TDS deducted by employers, TDS on bank interest, TCS on purchases, advance tax payments, and self-assessment tax paid during the financial year.
Before filing your Income Tax Return, one of the most important steps is to compare the figures shown in your salary documents, such as Form 16 or the new Form 130, with the details available in Form 26AS or Form 168. Any mismatch between these records can lead to notices, delayed refunds, or errors in tax filing.
Under the new numbering system introduced, Form 26AS will officially be known as Form 168. However, apart from the name change, there are no major changes in how the form works. The information it contains, the method of accessing it through the Income Tax portal using your PAN login, and its importance in the tax filing process all remain the same.
One notable update is that the new Form 168 follows PAN-based identification and no longer displays Aadhaar details. Other than this change, the form continues to function exactly like the earlier Form 26AS.
Why Form 168 is Important During ITR Filing?
Form 26AS, now replaced by Form 168 under the new Income Tax Act, is one of the most important documents taxpayers should check before filing their income tax returns. It helps taxpayers confirm whether the tax deducted by employers, banks, or clients has actually been deposited with the Income Tax Department.
If the TDS details in the income tax return do not match those in Form 168 or AIS, it may result in notices from the Income Tax Department or delays in refund processing. That is why checking the form carefully before filing returns is very important.
Today, the Income Tax Department also tracks many financial transactions through AIS and Form 168. These include:
- Large bank deposits
- Credit card payments
- Purchase or sale of property
- Mutual fund and stock market transactions
- Foreign money transfers
Because of this, taxpayers should not ignore any entry on the form, even if they believe the transaction is non-taxable or exempt.
How to Download Form 26AS / Form 168 Online
Taxpayers can quickly download Form 168 through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal. Follow these simple steps to access and download the form online.
Visit the Income Tax Portal
Go to the official Income Tax e-filing website:
Click on the “Login” option. If you are a new user, click on “Register” and create your account using your PAN details.
Log in to Your Account
Enter your User ID, which is usually your PAN number, and complete the login process.
Go to the AIS Section
After logging in, go to the “Services” menu and select “AIS (Annual Information Statement)” from the drop-down list.
Proceed to the AIS Portal
A confirmation page will appear. Click on “Proceed” to continue to the AIS portal.
Open AIS
Once redirected, click on the “AIS” option to access your tax information.
Select the Download Option
Click on the down arrow or download icon available on the screen.
Choose the File Format
You can download the form in different formats:
- Select PDF if you want to view the statement directly.
- Select JSON if you need the data for other purposes or software use.
Open the Downloaded File
The downloaded PDF file will be password-protected for security reasons.
The password format is:
- Your PAN number in lowercase letters
- Followed by your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format
After entering your password, you can access your Form 168/AIS details.
Conclusion
The new Income Tax Act update replaced Form 26AS with Form 168. Even though the name has changed, the main purpose remains the same. It allows taxpayer to view all their tax-related details in one place.
As the tax system becomes more digital and transparent, staying informed about these updates can make the tax filing process much easier and smoother for taxpayers.
For students and professionals planning to build careers in finance and taxation, learning about practical tax updates is equally important. Enrolling in accounting courses in Kochi can help improve knowledge of taxation, GST, accounting, and income tax filing processes in a more practical way.
FAQs
1. Who needs to check Form 168?
Every taxpayer who files an income tax return should check Form 168. It is especially important for salaried employees, freelancers, business owners, and people earning interest income from banks.
2 . Is Form 168 mandatory for filing income tax returns?
Form 168 itself is not mandatory, but checking it before filing ITR is highly recommended. It helps ensure that all tax credits and transactions are correctly reported.
3. Can Form 168 be used as proof of tax payment?
Yes, Form 168 acts as an official tax statement showing taxes paid or deducted against your PAN. It can be used to verify your tax credits during filing.
4. Do I need to pay anything to download Form 168?
No, downloading Form 168 from the Income Tax e-filing portal is free.
5. What if Form 168 is not updated?
If the form is not updated, you should wait for your deductor to file or revise the TDS return. Once processed, the updated details will reflect in the system.
