ITR Filing After Job Change: If you have changed your job in FY 2025-26 and have received more than one Form 16, then before filing ITR, definitely know these important rules.

ITR Filing After Job Change: The Income Tax Return (ITR) filing season has begun, and millions of employed people are busy gathering their necessary documents. However, those who changed jobs during the financial year 2025-26 need to exercise some extra caution when filing their ITR. Such employees may receive more than one Form 16, and failing to provide the correct information could lead to problems like tax arrears or notices later.

Is it normal to receive more than one Form 16?

Yes, it's perfectly normal if you've changed jobs mid-year. Suppose you worked for one company from April to September and joined another in October. In this case, both companies will issue separate Form 16s for their respective tenures. It's important to note that even after leaving a job, the former company remains responsible for providing Form 16s to the employee.

What is Form 16 after all?

Form 16 is a document that contains complete information about an employee's salary, tax deductions (TDS), exemptions, and deductions. It is considered one of the most important documents when filing your ITR.

What should be done if multiple Form 16s are received?

If you receive more than one Form 16, there's no need to panic. There's no need to file separate returns.

Keep these things in mind:

• Collect Form 16 from all the companies.
• Add the salaries recorded in all Form 16.
• Combine TDS deducted by different companies.
• Also include bank interest, capital gains or other income.
• Be sure to match the information with Form 26AS, AIS and TIS.
• File only one ITR by combining the entire income.

What is the biggest mistake job changers make?

Many employees do not disclose their income from their previous job to their new company. In such cases, the new employer deducts TDS only on the salary they pay. This can result in lower tax deductions for the entire year and additional tax payable when filing their ITR. To address this, employees can submit Form 12B to the new company, detailing their salary and TDS from their previous job. Additionally, avoid the mistake of claiming Sections 80C, 80D, 80G, HRA exemption, and standard deduction twice. These benefits can only be claimed once in the final tax calculation. If Form 16 has not been received from the previous company, the ITR can still be filed using salary slips, bank statements, Form 26AS, and AIS. However, it is important to contact the previous employer for Form 16, as it is their legal responsibility to issue it.

PC: Prabhat Khabar