How to retrieve lost Form 16B from TRACES portal
- Nimisha Panda
- Apr 30
- 10 min read
Updated: May 12
Form 16B is a crucial TDS certificate issued when a property transaction occurs. If you’ve lost your Form 16B or need a duplicate, retrieving it from the TRACES portal can be straightforward. This blog provides a step-by-step guide to help you retrieve Form 16B for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 efficiently. By following these steps, you can ensure that your TDS compliance is up to date, helping you file your tax return with ease.
To retrieve a lost Form 16B from the TRACES portal, follow a simple process involving registration, login, and submitting a request for the form. Once the request is processed, the form will be available for download.
Table of Contents:
How to retrieve lost Form 16B from TRACES portal
To retrieve a lost Form 16B from the TRACES portal, first, register on the portal by providing your PAN, Date of Birth, and name details. Once registered, log in using your PAN as the user ID and the password created during registration. After logging in, navigate to the 'Downloads' section and select 'Request for Form 16B'. Enter the required details such as the seller’s PAN, TDS Challan number from Form 26QB, and the relevant financial year. Submit the request, and once processed, a download link for Form 16B will appear in the 'Downloads' section. The password to open the form is typically your PAN in lowercase followed by your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.
What is Form 16B?
Form 16B is a TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) certificate issued by the buyer of an immovable property to the seller, confirming the deduction of 1% TDS on the sale amount. This certificate is generated and provided after the buyer deducts the TDS while making payment for the property transaction.
Under the Income Tax Act, 1961, Form 16B must be issued within 15 days from the due date of filing Form 26QB. Form 26QB is a challan-cum-statement that confirms the payment of TDS, and it is filed by the buyer who deducts TDS on property transactions exceeding ₹50 lakh. Once the buyer files Form 26QB, they must generate Form 16B for the seller. The seller uses Form 16B for their tax records and to claim TDS credit while filing their Income Tax Return (ITR).
It is crucial to understand that Form 16B is specific to property transactions and must be obtained from the TRACES portal (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System) maintained by the Income Tax Department. This form ensures compliance with TDS obligations, allowing both parties to complete their tax filings accurately.
Steps to Retrieve Lost Form 16B from TRACES Portal
If you've lost Form 16B, or if it is missing from your records, you can easily retrieve it from the TRACES portal. The following steps will guide you through the process:
1. Register on TRACES Portal
To retrieve Form 16B, the first step is to register on the TRACES portal. Follow these instructions to create your account:
Visit the official TRACES website: For resident taxpayers, go to the TRACES portal atwww.tdscpc.gov.in. If you're an NRI (Non-Resident Indian), visit the NRI-specific TRACES portal atnriservices.tdscpc.gov.in.
Complete the registration: During the registration process, you'll need to provide your PAN (Permanent Account Number), Date of Birth, and Full Name. This information will help TRACES verify your identity and link it to the property transaction details.
Validate your registration: After entering the required details, you’ll be asked to validate your registration using tax-related information from your property transaction. This could include details from Form 26QB, such as the TDS Challan number, and other transaction-specific data. This step ensures that only authorized users can access the form.
Once you’ve completed these steps, your registration will be verified, and you will be able to log in to the portal.
2. Log in to TRACES
After completing the registration, the next step is to log in to the TRACES portal:
Enter your PAN: Use your PAN number as the User ID.
Provide the password: Enter the password that you created during the registration process.
Complete CAPTCHA verification: To enhance security, you will be prompted to enter a CAPTCHA code. This step is essential to prevent automated login attempts.
Once you log in successfully, you will be directed to your account dashboard on the TRACES portal.
3. Request Form 16B
Once logged in, you can request Form 16B:
Navigate to the ‘Downloads’ tab: On the main dashboard, you will find a tab labeled Downloads. Click on this tab to proceed.
Select ‘Request for Form 16B’: Within the Downloads section, look for the option to Request for Form 16B. This option allows you to make a request for the TDS certificate you need.
Enter the required details:
Seller’s PAN: Input the PAN of the seller for whom you need the Form 16B.
TDS Challan number: You will need the TDS Challan number from Form 26QB, which contains the tax payment details.
Financial Year: Choose the relevant Financial Year (FY 2024-25 or FY 2025-26) for which you need to retrieve the form.
Submit the request: After filling in all the necessary details, submit the request to initiate the retrieval process.
4. Wait for Processing
Once you’ve submitted your request, the system will process it. This may take a few days depending on the volume of requests and the TRACES portal’s processing capacity. During this period, you can monitor the status of your request:
Check request status: You can check the progress of your request by navigating to the ‘View All Download Requests’ section under the Downloads tab. This will provide an update on whether the form has been processed or is still being processed.
5. Download Form 16B
Once your request is processed and approved, you will be able to download Form 16B from the TRACES portal:
Locate the download link: After processing, a download link for Form 16B will be made available in the ‘Downloads’ section.
Download the PDF: Click on the link to download the Form 16B PDF certificate. The form will be in a password-protected format for security.
Password to open the file: The password to open the downloaded Form 16B PDF is usually your PAN in lowercase followed by your Date of Birth in DDMMYYYY format. For example, if your PAN is "ABCDE1234F" and your date of birth is "01-01-1990," the password will be abcde1234f01011990.
Once you enter the password correctly, you will be able to view and print the Form 16B, which you can then use for your income tax filing and record-keeping.
Important Points and Troubleshooting
Timelines for Issuance
Form 16B must be issued within 15 days from the due date of filing Form 26QB. If the form is not issued within this time frame, a penalty of ₹100 per day is applicable until the default is rectified. It’s crucial to ensure that both the buyer and seller are aware of these timelines to avoid unnecessary penalties.
Access Issues for NRIs
NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) may encounter access issues when trying to retrieve Form 16B from the TRACES portal, primarily due to IP restrictions imposed by the portal. Since TRACES might restrict access from certain locations outside India, NRIs can face difficulties in logging in.
Workaround: One way to overcome this issue is by having someone in India log in to the TRACES portal using the NRI’s credentials. This individual can then request and download the form on behalf of the NRI.
Troubleshooting Missing Form 16B Requests
If you cannot find Form 16B under your download requests after submitting the required details, follow these steps to troubleshoot:
Check the request submission: Ensure that all the details (like Seller’s PAN, TDS Challan number, and the relevant financial year) were correctly entered when submitting the request.
Wait for processing: Sometimes, Form 16B may not appear immediately after requesting it. The processing can take a few days, so be patient and check the status under ‘View All Download Requests’.
Correct details: If you’ve received an error message or the request is not processed, verify that the details provided are accurate and complete.
Technical Problems with TRACES Portal
In case you face issues accessing the TRACES portal or if the portal is down temporarily, follow these troubleshooting steps:
Refresh the page: Sometimes, refreshing the page can resolve temporary glitches.
Try a different browser: If refreshing the page doesn’t work, try accessing the portal using a different web browser. This can sometimes resolve browser-related compatibility issues.
Portal downtime: If the portal is under maintenance or facing downtime, you may need to wait and try again later. You can check the Income Tax Department’s official updates for any announcements regarding scheduled downtime.
When to Seek Professional Help
In some cases, retrieving Form 16B can be more complicated, especially in complex property transactions. For example, if the buyer or seller has not followed the correct process or if there are discrepancies in the TDS details, it may be difficult to retrieve Form 16B independently.
In such cases, it is advisable to seek assistance from a Chartered Accountant (CA). A CA can help resolve issues related to Form 16B issuance, ensure compliance with tax laws, and guide you through the process to avoid delays or penalties. They can also handle any discrepancies or errors in TDS filings and ensure that the form is issued correctly and promptly.
Summary of Key Points for FY 2024-25 & FY 2025-26
Aspect | Details |
Applicable Financial Years | FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 |
Deductor (Buyer) Obligations | Deduct 1% TDS on property sale, file Form 26QB, issue Form 16B within 15 days |
Portal for Form 16B | TRACES portal (resident or NRI portal) |
Login Credentials | PAN as User ID, password created during registration |
Required Details | Seller PAN, Form 26QB challan number, financial year |
Form 16B Download Password | PAN (lowercase) + Date of Birth (DDMMYYYY) |
Penalty for Non-issuance | ₹100 per day till default continues |
Common Issues | IP restrictions for NRIs, delayed processing, missing download link |
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
What is the deadline for issuing Form 16B?
Form 16B must be issued by the buyer within 15 days from the due date of filing Form 26QB. If the buyer fails to issue it within this time frame, a penalty of ₹100 per day is imposed until the default is rectified. It is important for both parties to keep track of the deadlines to avoid penalties and ensure timely issuance.
How do I recover my password for the TRACES portal?
If you've forgotten your TRACES portal password, you can recover it by clicking on the Forgot Password option on the login page. You'll be asked to provide your PAN and Date of Birth. A reset link will be sent to your registered email address or mobile number to allow you to create a new password. Ensure that your contact information is up-to-date.
Can NRIs download Form 16B from TRACES?
Yes, NRIs can download Form 16B from the TRACES portal. However, they might face issues due to IP restrictions. If an NRI is unable to access the portal from their location outside India, a workaround is to have a person in India log in to the portal using the NRI's credentials, request the form, and download it on their behalf.
What to do if I cannot find my Form 16B after submitting a request?
If you do not see Form 16B in your download requests, first check that you’ve entered the correct details, such as the Seller’s PAN, TDS Challan number, and Financial Year. If the form does not appear immediately, be patient as it may take a few days to process. You can also check the status of your request under the ‘View All Download Requests’ section on the TRACES portal.
Is there a penalty for the delay in issuing Form 16B?
Yes, if the buyer does not issue Form 16B within 15 days from the due date of filing Form 26QB, a penalty of ₹100 per day is charged. This penalty continues until the form is issued and the default is corrected. It is advisable to issue Form 16B promptly to avoid this penalty.
Can I request Form 16B for multiple years at once?
No, Form 16B must be requested separately for each financial year. When submitting the request, ensure you select the correct financial year (FY 2024-25 or FY 2025-26) as the form is generated for each year individually.
How long does it take for TRACES to process Form 16B requests?
TRACES usually processes Form 16B requests within a few days. However, the exact time may vary depending on the volume of requests and any technical issues the portal may experience. You can check the status of your request in the ‘View All Download Requests’ section for updates.
What details are needed to request Form 16B?
To request Form 16B, you will need to provide the following details:
Seller’s PAN
TDS Challan number (from Form 26QB)
Financial Year (FY 2024-25 or FY 2025-26)
Ensure that all details are entered correctly to avoid delays in processing.
Why am I unable to download Form 16B from TRACES?
There can be several reasons why Form 16B may not be available for download:
Incorrect details entered during the request process.
The request is still being processed and is not yet completed.
Technical issues with the TRACES portal. If you encounter such issues, try refreshing the page, using a different browser, or checking the status under ‘View All Download Requests.
10. Can a CA help in obtaining Form 16B?
Yes, if you face challenges in obtaining Form 16B or if the property transaction is complex, a Chartered Accountant (CA) can assist you in the process. They can help ensure that the form is issued promptly, guide you through the TRACES portal, and address any discrepancies or issues related to TDS filings.
How can I fix issues with TRACES portal?
If you experience issues accessing the TRACES portal, try the following:
Refresh the page: Sometimes a simple refresh can resolve temporary glitches.
Use a different browser: If the issue persists, try accessing the portal on another browser to check for compatibility issues.
Clear browser cache: If your browser cache is full, it may affect the functionality of the portal. Clear your cache and cookies, then try logging in again.
12. What should I do if the TRACES portal is down?
If the TRACES portal is down or under maintenance, you can wait and try again later. The Income Tax Department occasionally schedules maintenance, which may cause temporary downtime. Keep checking the official updates from the department, or try accessing the portal after some time.
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