Income Tax Return: How to correct errors in Form 26AS

The most common errors pertain to incorrectly quoted PAN, incorrect assessment year mentioned, payment of tax under the wrong section, omitting the details of TDS payment in the return, incorrect deduction or payment, amongst other things. ​All these issues can only be rectified by the deductor revising the TDS return.
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Income Tax Return: How to correct errors in Form 26AS

It is that time of the year when investors rush to get their income tax documents in order with the last date of filing Income Tax Return (ITR) drawing near. Form 26AS is an important document which acts as a passbook for your tax deposits. It is important to get Form 26AS right lest your tax return, if any, for the assessment year gets affected.
It is extremely important to match the tax credit figures in your Form 26AS with your Form 16 or Form 16A, this is to ensure that the tax deducted by your employer on salary income, by your bank against interest income or by your landlord against due rent matches with the amount reflected in the Form 26AS.
Why a mismatch may occur?
There are many reasons which can lead to an error in Form 26AS. For example, incorrect reporting of the TDS amount deducted from your salary or interest income by your employer or bank accounts accounts an error on Form 26AS. Sometimes, while filing TDS returns, the deductor may mention a wrong PAN against your name which can lead to an error in your Form 26AS.
Mismatches or errors in 26AS affect the availability of TDS as a credit against taxes payable. Unfortunately, as a person whose tax has been deducted, there isn’t much to be done if there is an error in 26AS. The only recourse is approaching the deductor to rectify or refile the issue, creating TDS returns and correcting the mismatch. Some chartered accountants say mistakes such as quoting the wrong assessment year or making the incorrect category of taxes paid while depositing advance tax or self-assessment tax can also result in errors.
How to rectify error in Form 26AS
Rectification of error in Form 26AS depends on the nature of the error. Supposedly, if the deductor, the employer or the bank, made a mistake while depositing your tax against your PAN with the government, then in such a case, you need to contact your deductor to rectify the mistake.
If you notice an error in the 26AS, you should first try and reconcile the differences between the amount that should be seen in the 26AS according to you versus what is actually there. This will help you identify who has to rectify the error. Most common errors pertain to incorrectly quoted PAN, incorrect assessment year mentioned, payment of tax under the wrong section, omitting the details of TDS payment in the return, incorrect deduction or payment, amongst other things.
All these issues can only be rectified by the deductor revising the TDS return. Contact the person who deducted the TDS and ask them to check the TDS returns filed by them for errors and explain what the mismatch you are seeing. They will need to revise the TDS returns to rectify the mistake. If you are unable to resolve the issue after contacting the deductor, the best course of action is to connect with a professional for assistance.
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