How to Download Form 16A Online from TRACES Portal (FY 2025-26) – Complete Step-by-Step Guide

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How to Download Form 16A Online from TRACES Portal (FY 2025-26) – Complete Step-by-Step Guide

If you are a business owner, accountant, tax consultant, or TDS deductor, downloading Form 16A correctly is very important. Form 16A is a TDS certificate issued for non-salary payments like professional fees, contractor payments, commission, rent, interest, etc.

Many users face confusion while downloading Form 16A from the updated TRACES portal because the process has changed recently. In this article, we will explain the latest and easiest method to generate and download Form 16A online for FY 2025-26 in a simple step-by-step format.

This guide is beginner-friendly and useful for tax professionals, GST practitioners, accountants, and small business owners.

What is Form 16A?

Form 16A is a TDS certificate issued under the Income Tax Act for payments other than salary. It contains details such as:

  • Deductor Name & TAN

  • Deductee PAN

  • Amount Paid

  • TDS Deducted

  • Challan Details

  • Deposit Date

  • Quarter Information

It helps the deductee claim TDS credit while filing Income Tax Return (ITR).

Who Needs Form 16A?

Form 16A is required for:

  • Freelancers

  • Professionals

  • Contractors

  • Consultants

  • Rent Receivers

  • Commission Agents

  • Business Service Providers

If TDS has been deducted on your payment, the deductor must issue Form 16A.

Documents & Details Required Before Downloading

Before starting the process, keep the following ready:

✅ TAN Number
✅ TRACES Login Password
✅ Registered Mobile Number
✅ PAN Details
✅ TDS Return Acknowledgement Number
✅ Challan Details
✅ Java Installed in System
✅ PDF Converter Utility




Official Website for Form 16A Download

To download Form 16A, visit the official TRACES portal:

👉 www.tdscpc.gov.in

Always use the official government website to avoid fraud or fake portals.

Step 1 – Login to TRACES Portal

Open the TRACES website and click on Login.

Enter:

  • TAN Number

  • Password

  • Captcha Code

Then click on Login.

If you are a new user, first complete TAN registration on the portal.

Step 2 – Check TDS Return Status

After login, first verify whether your TDS return is processed successfully.

Go to:

Statements → Statement Status

Select:

  • Financial Year

  • Quarter

  • Form Type (26Q / 24Q / 27Q etc.)

You should see:

✅ “Processed Without Default”

If there is any default, first resolve it before generating Form 16A.

Step 3 – Request for Form 16A Generation

Now go to:

Downloads → Form 16A

Select:

  • Financial Year

  • Quarter

  • Form Type

You can choose:

  • Single PAN

  • Bulk PAN Download

Bulk PAN option is useful when downloading certificates for multiple deductees together.

Click on “Go”.

Step 4 – Complete KYC Validation

Now the portal will ask for KYC validation.

Choose:

✅ Normal KYC Validation

You must enter:

  • Token Number / Acknowledgement Number

  • Challan BSR Code

  • Challan Date

  • Challan Serial Number

  • TDS Amount

  • PAN Number

  • Deductee Amount

All details must match the filed TDS return.

After entering details correctly, click on Proceed.

Step 5 – Submit Request

Once validation is successful:

Click on:

✅ Submit Request

Your Form 16A request will now be generated successfully.

Usually, it takes:

⏳ 1 to 2 hours

for the file to become available for download.

Step 6 – Download Form 16A ZIP File

Now go to:

Downloads → Requested Downloads

Check request status.

Initially it may show:

🟡 Submitted

Later it will change to:

🟢 Available

Once available, click on Download.

A ZIP file will be downloaded to your computer.

Step 7 – Download PDF Converter Utility

The downloaded ZIP file cannot be opened directly as PDF.

You need the official TRACES PDF Converter Utility.

Download:

  • Form 16A PDF Converter Utility

  • Java Utility

Install Java in your system if not already installed.

Step 8 – Convert ZIP File into PDF

Now open the converter utility.

Steps:

  1. Browse the downloaded ZIP file

  2. Enter Password

  3. Select Output Folder

  4. Click on Proceed

Password Format

Usually the password is:

👉 TAN Number in CAPITAL letters

Example:

ABCD12345E

After processing, PDF files will be generated automatically.

Step 9 – Digitally Sign Form 16A (Optional)

If you want to issue digitally signed certificates:

  • Attach DSC (Digital Signature Certificate)

  • Select Signature Certificate

  • Generate Signed PDFs

This step is optional but useful for professionals and companies.




Common Errors While Downloading Form 16A

1. KYC Validation Failed

Reason:

  • Wrong challan details

  • Incorrect PAN

  • Incorrect token number

Solution:

  • Recheck filed TDS return details carefully

2. Request Not Available

Reason:

  • Processing pending

Solution:

  • Wait for 1–2 hours and check again

3. Utility Not Opening

Reason:

  • Java not installed

Solution:

  • Install latest Java version

4. Password Incorrect

Reason:

  • Wrong TAN format

Solution:

  • Enter TAN in CAPITAL letters only

Important Tips for Tax Professionals

✅ Always check “Processed Without Default” status
✅ Save challan working sheets safely
✅ Download certificates quarter-wise
✅ Use Bulk PAN option for faster processing
✅ Keep Java updated
✅ Cross-check deductee PAN carefully

Difference Between Form 16 and Form 16A

Form 16Form 16A
Used for Salary TDSUsed for Non-Salary TDS
Issued to EmployeesIssued to Professionals/Contractors
Salary IncomeProfessional Fees, Rent, Interest etc.
Includes Part A & Part BMostly Single Certificate




Final Words

Downloading Form 16A from the TRACES portal is simple if you follow the correct process carefully. The most important part is KYC validation and correct challan details.

Always ensure your TDS return is processed successfully before generating certificates. Once the ZIP file is downloaded and converted into PDF, you can easily share the certificates with deductees.

This process is extremely useful for:

  • CA firms

  • Tax consultants

  • GST practitioners

  • Accountants

  • Businesses handling TDS compliance

If you regularly handle TDS filing work, learning this process properly can save a lot of time and avoid notices or mismatch issues in the future.

Stay updated with the latest Income Tax and TDS compliance changes for smooth filing and professional tax management.

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