How to Download Form 16B Without TAN from TRACES Poral: Detailed Steps for FY 2024-25 & FY 2025-26Introduction

Form 16B is a crucial TDS certificate issued under Section 194-IA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It is given to the buyer in property transactions where tax at source (TDS) has been deducted, primarily in cases where the property transaction exceeds Rs. 50 lakh. This form certifies the deduction and deposit of TDS made by the buyer on behalf of the seller, ensuring compliance with the tax laws.

A common question that arises among buyers is whether it is possible to download Form 16B without a TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number). While TAN is generally required for entities deducting TDS, individuals or buyers who are not mandated to have TAN can still download Form 16B using a simplified process through the TRACES portal.

---

Table of Content

Can Form 16B Be Downloaded Without TAN?

Step-by-Step Process to Download Form 16B Without TAN

Important Considerations

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Penalties for Delayed Download or Non-Issuance of Form 16B

Conclusion

Most Asked Questions

---

Can Form 16B Be Downloaded Without TAN?

Yes, Form 16B can be downloaded without a TAN. Typically, TAN is required for entities that are deducting TDS, such as businesses. However, for individual buyers (such as those purchasing property), a TAN is not required. Instead, Form 16B can be downloaded using the buyer's PAN, along with the PAN of the seller and the acknowledgment number from Form 26QB, which is generated when the TDS payment is made. The process is facilitated through the TRACES portal, and buyers can complete it without needing a TAN.

Step-by-Step Process to Download Form 16B Without TAN

Register on TRACES Portal

To begin the process, you must first register on the TRACES portal. Here's how:

• Visit the TRACES portal at https://www.tdscpc.gov.in.

• As an individual buyer, register as a new user using your PAN (buyer’s PAN).

• During registration, you will need to provide details such as the acknowledgment number of Form 26QB (which is generated when the TDS payment is made), and the PAN of the seller.

• An activation link will be sent to your registered email address. Use the link to activate your registration.

Login to TRACES

Once you have completed the registration:

• Login to the TRACES portal using your PAN as the User ID and the password you created during registration.

• No TAN is required to log in for individual buyers. The process is designed to be simplified for those not required to have a TAN.

Navigate to Downloads

After successfully logging in:

• Go to the 'Downloads' tab on the portal.

• From the list of available forms, select Form 16B (For Buyer).

• This will allow you to download the form relevant to the property transaction.

Enter Required Details

Before downloading Form 16B, you will need to provide a few key details:

• Select the Assessment Year (either FY 2024-25 or FY 2025-26).

• Enter the acknowledgment number of Form 26QB. This is the unique identifier generated when TDS is paid for the property transaction.

• Provide the PAN of the seller involved in the transaction.

These details are necessary to validate the transaction and generate the correct Form 16B for download.

Submit and Request Form 16B

Once the required information has been entered:

• Review the details you have provided to ensure they are accurate.

• Submit the details to request the Form 16B. After submission, a request number will be generated.

• This request number can be used to track the status of your Form 16B download request.

Download Form 16B

After submitting the request:

• You will need to wait 24-48 hours for the form to become available for download.

• Once the status of the request changes to ‘Available,’ you can go to the 'Requested Downloads' section to access the form.

• The Form 16B will be available in a zip file format. To open the file, you will need to enter the buyer's date of birth (in DDMMYYYY format) as the password.

Important Considerations

TDS Payment Requirement for Form 16B

To download Form 16B, it is essential that TDS has been deducted and deposited through the payment of Form 26QB. Form 26QB is a challan-cum-statement that validates the payment of TDS on property transactions under Section 194-IA. This form must be filed by the buyer who is responsible for deducting TDS from the payment made to the seller.

1. Payment Confirmation: Before you can access Form 16B, ensure that the TDS payment is successfully processed via Form 26QB. Without confirmation of TDS payment, the TRACES portal will not generate Form 16B.

2. Timeframe for Payment: The TDS payment through Form 26QB must be made at the time of the property transaction. If there is a delay in payment, the generation of Form 16B may also be delayed. It is important to make the payment on time to avoid any compliance issues.

What to Do if Details are Incorrect

Sometimes, users may encounter issues where the details entered (such as PAN, acknowledgment number, or seller's PAN) are incorrect, which may result in errors during the request for Form 16B.

1. Double-Check Information: Always verify the details before submitting the request. For example, ensure that the PAN numbers of both the buyer and seller are correctly entered and that the acknowledgment number from Form 26QB is accurate.

2. Rectifying Errors: If you realize that you’ve entered incorrect information, you can go back to the TRACES portal and update the details. However, it may require you to submit a new request after making the necessary corrections.

3. Contacting Support: In cases where you are unable to resolve the issue yourself, contact TRACES support for assistance. They can guide you in correcting the details or provide a resolution for technical errors.

File Format and Security of Form 16B

When you successfully download Form 16B from the TRACES portal, it is provided in a zip format for security reasons. This is done to protect sensitive information, such as the details of the property transaction and the TDS payment.

1. Password Protection: The zip file containing Form 16B will be password-protected. The password is typically the buyer’s date of birth in the DDMMYYYY format. Make sure to enter the correct date of birth to open the file.

2. File Format: The file is generally available in PDF format once extracted from the zip file. This format ensures that the form can be easily printed and used for tax filing and other legal requirements.

3. Securing Your File: Since the form contains confidential information, it is advisable to store it securely and only share it with authorized parties. Avoid keeping it in unsecured locations or sharing the password with unauthorized persons.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

What to Do if Form 16B is Not Available

There can be times when the requested Form 16B is not available for download, which could be due to various reasons.

1. Check the Status: After submitting the request, check the status on the TRACES portal. It may take 24-48 hours for the form to become available, depending on the volume of requests and processing time.

2. Verify TDS Payment: If the form is not available, it might indicate that the TDS payment through Form 26QB has not been successfully processed. Verify that the payment was completed and properly recorded.

3. Request Again: If the status is not updating after a reasonable waiting period, it may help to initiate a fresh request. Ensure that all information is correctly entered during the request submission process.

How to Resolve Login Issues

Login issues can prevent you from accessing the TRACES portal, which can be frustrating.

1. Forgotten Password: If you’ve forgotten your login credentials, such as your password, you can reset it using the “Forgot Password” option on the TRACES portal. You’ll be asked to provide your PAN and other details to authenticate your request.

2. Account Lock: If there have been multiple failed login attempts, your account may be locked. In such cases, you can reach out to the TRACES support team to unlock your account and restore access.

3. Technical Glitches: Sometimes, issues may arise due to browser compatibility or technical glitches on the TRACES portal. Clear your browser cache or try using a different browser to see if it resolves the issue.

How to Correct Incorrect Information

If you realize that you have entered incorrect details while submitting the request for Form 16B (e.g., the wrong acknowledgment number or PAN), you can take the following steps:

1. Update Details: Return to the request page on TRACES and update the information. Ensure that all details such as the buyer’s PAN, seller’s PAN, and acknowledgment number are correct.

2. Cancel Previous Request: If necessary, cancel the previous request and initiate a new one with the corrected details. This will help avoid any errors in generating the form.

3. Re-submit the Request: Once the changes are made, re-submit the request. The updated details will then be used to generate the correct Form 16B.

Penalties for Delayed Download or Non-Issuance of Form 16B

Form 16B plays an important role in tax compliance, and failing to download it or delay its issuance can lead to penalties.

1. Penalties for Non-Issuance: The Income Tax Act mandates that buyers must provide Form 16B to the seller as proof of TDS deduction. If the buyer fails to download and provide the form to the seller, they may face penalties for non-compliance. The buyer could be held liable for failing to fulfill their TDS obligations under Section 194-IA.

2. Penalties for Delayed Download: If the Form 16B is not downloaded on time, the buyer may face difficulties during tax filing or legal audits. Delays in obtaining the certificate can also delay the seller’s ability to claim the TDS, which might affect both parties' tax filings.

3. Impact on Tax Filing: Failure to download Form 16B could complicate the buyer’s tax filing process, especially when it comes to proving that the TDS was deducted. Since Form 16B is required to claim the TDS credit, not having it may result in tax-related issues or delays in refunds.

Conclusion

Downloading Form 16B without a TAN is a straightforward process for individual buyers involved in property transactions. By following the simple steps on the TRACES portal, buyers can easily obtain the TDS certificate needed for compliance with tax regulations. This guide will help ensure that property buyers for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 can efficiently complete the process, avoiding any penalties associated with non-compliance.

FAQs

Q1. What is Form 16B, and why do I need it?

Form 16B is a TDS certificate issued to the buyer of immovable property under Section 194-IA of the Income Tax Act. It certifies that TDS has been deducted and deposited for the property transaction. As a buyer, you need Form 16B to prove that the required TDS has been deducted and deposited on your behalf. This form serves as a crucial document for tax compliance, and you may need it for future reference, including for tax filing.

Q2. Can I download Form 16B without a TAN?

Yes, you can download Form 16B without a TAN if you are an individual or Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) buying property. While businesses and entities need a TAN to deduct TDS, individual buyers do not. Instead, you will use your PAN and the PAN of the seller to access the form via the TRACES portal.

Q3. What details do I need to download Form 16B?

To download Form 16B, you will need the following details:

• PAN of the buyer (your PAN).

• PAN of the seller.

• Acknowledgment number from Form 26QB, which is generated when TDS payment is made for the property transaction.

• Assessment Year (either FY 2024-25 or FY 2025-26).

  
  

Q4. How do I register on the TRACES portal?

To register on the TRACES portal:

• Visit the official TRACES portal at www.tdscpc.gov.in.

• Click on ‘Register as New User’ and enter your PAN details.

• Provide the acknowledgment number of Form 26QB and the seller’s PAN, along with other necessary details.

• After submitting the details, an activation link will be sent to your email address. Use this link to complete your registration.

  
  

Q5. What is Form 26QB, and how does it relate to Form 16B?

Form 26QB is a challan-cum-statement used for making TDS payments on property transactions under Section 194-IA. The acknowledgment number generated from Form 26QB is required to download Form 16B. Form 26QB serves as proof of TDS payment and must be filed before Form 16B can be issued.

Q6. What is the password for opening the downloaded Form 16B file?

The downloaded Form 16B file is usually provided in a zip format. To open it, you will need to use the buyer's date of birth in DDMMYYYY format as the password. This ensures the security and confidentiality of the form.

Q7. Can I download Form 16B for multiple years?

Yes, you can download Form 16B for multiple financial years (e.g., FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26). You will need to select the appropriate assessment year when making the request. Each year will have a separate Form 16B for the respective property transactions.

Q8. How long does it take to receive Form 16B after submitting the request?

After submitting your request on the TRACES portal, it generally takes 24-48 hours for the status to change to 'Available.' Once available, you can download Form 16B from the 'Requested Downloads' section.

Q9. What happens if I provide incorrect details while requesting Form 16B?

If you provide incorrect details, such as an incorrect PAN or acknowledgment number, your Form 16B request may be rejected, or the form may be generated with incorrect information. You will need to correct the details and submit the request again. It is crucial to double-check the information before submitting it to avoid delays.

Q10. Is it possible to re-download Form 16B after I have downloaded it?

Yes, you can re-download Form 16B from the TRACES portal as long as the form is still available. However, if the download status has changed to ‘Downloaded,’ you may not be able to access it again unless it is requested once more through the portal.

Q11. Do I need TAN to access Form 16B for a property transaction?

No, you do not need a TAN to access Form 16B if you are an individual buyer. TAN is only required for entities or businesses that deduct TDS. For individuals, the process is simplified, and you can use your PAN to access the form through the TRACES portal.

Q12. What penalties can occur if Form 16B is not downloaded on time?

Failing to download or provide Form 16B in a timely manner can result in penalties. Under the Income Tax Act, both the buyer and seller are required to maintain proper tax records. Not having Form 16B can lead to difficulties in proving tax compliance during audits or tax filings. Moreover, delays can attract penalties for non-compliance with TDS regulations.

Q13. Which is the best site to file ITR?

The best site to file your Income Tax Return (ITR) depends on your individual needs. TaxBuddy is highly recommended for those seeking a seamless, AI-driven, and expert-assisted tax filing experience. It simplifies the entire filing process and provides support throughout the year. Alternatively, you can also file directly with the Government portal (incometax.gov.in), which offers an official and straightforward filing option, but without the additional expert assistance that platforms like TaxBuddy provide.