Senior Citizens & TDS: When to File Form 15H and How It Affects ITR
- Farheen Mukadam
- Aug 7, 2025
- 8 min read
Form 15H is a key document for senior citizens in India, allowing them to submit a declaration to prevent the deduction of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on their income. This form is particularly important for senior citizens whose total income is below the taxable limit, as it ensures that they are not taxed unnecessarily. In this guide, we will explore what Form 15H is, its eligibility criteria, when it should be filed, how it affects the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing process, and its impact on TDS and refunds under both the old and new tax regimes. Understanding how Form 15H works can help senior citizens manage their tax liabilities more efficiently and avoid unnecessary deductions.
Table of Contents
What is Form 15H?
Form 15H is a declaration provided by senior citizens to financial institutions, such as banks and post offices, to ensure that no TDS is deducted from their income. This form is specifically for individuals aged 60 years or above who are residents of India and whose total income for the financial year is below the taxable limit. By filing Form 15H, senior citizens declare that they do not expect to incur any tax liability, and therefore, they request that no TDS be deducted on their interest income or other applicable earnings. The form is typically submitted to the payer of income, such as banks, mutual funds, or post offices, before the beginning of the financial year.
Eligibility for Filing Form 15H
To be eligible to file Form 15H, an individual must meet the following criteria:
Age: The individual must be a senior citizen, i.e., aged 60 years or above during the financial year.
Income Limit: The total income of the individual must be below the taxable threshold. For FY 2024-25, the basic exemption limit for senior citizens (aged 60-79) is ₹3 lakh, and for super senior citizens (aged 80 and above), it is ₹5 lakh. If a senior citizen's income exceeds these limits, they are not eligible to file Form 15H and must pay taxes as per the prevailing income tax slabs.
Residency: The individual must be a resident of India for tax purposes. Non-resident senior citizens are not eligible for Form 15H, and different rules apply to them.
Form 15H can be filed for different types of income, such as interest from savings accounts, fixed deposits, and other income sources where TDS is applicable. However, it does not cover salary income, as TDS on salaries is already deducted by the employer.
When Should Senior Citizens File Form 15H?
Form 15H should be filed at the beginning of the financial year before any TDS is deducted on income. Senior citizens typically submit the form to the bank or financial institution where they hold interest-earning accounts, such as savings accounts or fixed deposits.
Before the commencement of the financial year: Senior citizens must submit Form 15H before April 1 of the financial year, preferably within the first quarter, to ensure that no TDS is deducted throughout the year.
For new accounts: If a senior citizen opens a new savings or fixed deposit account, Form 15H must be submitted at the time of opening the account to ensure TDS is not deducted.
For existing accounts: If the income from existing accounts exceeds the threshold in subsequent years, senior citizens should submit Form 15H annually, ensuring that TDS is avoided each year their income is below the taxable limit.
How Form 15H Affects Income Tax Return Filing
Filing Form 15H directly impacts the filing of the Income Tax Return (ITR) because it prevents TDS from being deducted on certain types of income. If a senior citizen’s total income remains below the taxable limit and Form 15H is filed, no TDS will be deducted by the financial institution. As a result, there may be no need for tax adjustment when filing the ITR.
However, even if Form 15H is filed and no TDS is deducted, the individual is still required to file an ITR if their income exceeds the basic exemption limit or if they have other taxable income sources. In cases where TDS was erroneously not deducted, and the individual’s income becomes taxable, the taxpayer may be required to pay taxes while filing the ITR and may even face penalties or interest.
Impact of Filing Form 15H on TDS and Refunds
Form 15H can have a significant impact on TDS and refunds:
Prevention of TDS: Filing Form 15H ensures that no TDS is deducted on income that falls below the taxable limit. This is particularly useful for senior citizens who rely on interest income and want to avoid the hassle of getting refunds later.
Tax Refunds: In cases where TDS is erroneously deducted, senior citizens can file their ITR to claim a refund. However, by filing Form 15H, they can avoid TDS deductions entirely, thereby reducing the chances of waiting for a tax refund.
Timely Refunds: When TDS is deducted but not applicable, filing Form 15H can help ensure that taxpayers do not have to wait for long to receive their refunds, as no TDS will be deducted in the first place. This can simplify the overall tax filing and refund process.
How Form 15H Works in the New and Old Tax Regimes
Form 15H applies equally under both the new and old tax regimes, as it is primarily a mechanism to prevent TDS deductions. However, there are some nuances to be aware of:
Old Tax Regime: Senior citizens who choose the old tax regime can avail of deductions like Section 80C, 80D, and others. If their taxable income, after considering these deductions, is below the exemption limit, they can still file Form 15H to prevent TDS. The old tax regime allows more deductions and exemptions, so filing Form 15H is beneficial for those who want to avoid TDS without impacting their overall tax savings.
New Tax Regime: In the new tax regime, where tax rates are reduced, but there are no exemptions or deductions (except for NPS contributions), the calculation is simpler. Even under the new tax regime, senior citizens can file Form 15H to ensure that no TDS is deducted on income below the threshold.
Conclusion
Form 15H is an important tool for senior citizens to manage their tax liabilities efficiently. By filing this form, senior citizens ensure that they are not unnecessarily taxed on their interest income, provided their total income is below the exemption limit. It simplifies tax filing, helps avoid the hassle of claiming refunds, and provides more control over TDS deductions. Senior citizens must ensure timely submission of Form 15H to the relevant financial institutions, ensuring that their TDS is avoided for the entire financial year. For anyone looking for assistance in tax filing, it is highly recommended to download theTaxBuddy mobile app for a simplified, secure, and hassle-free experience.
FAQs
Q1: Who is eligible to file Form 15H?
Senior citizens aged 60 years or above, who earn a total income that is below the taxable threshold (i.e., below the basic exemption limit), are eligible to file Form 15H. This form is used to ensure that no Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is deducted on income from interest, dividends, or any other sources where TDS may apply. To qualify, your total income must not exceed the exemption limit for the financial year.
Q2: Is it mandatory for senior citizens to file Form 15H?
No, it is not mandatory for senior citizens to file Form 15H. Filing this form is optional, and it is typically used to prevent TDS deductions on income sources where TDS is applicable, such as interest earned on fixed deposits or savings accounts. However, if a senior citizen's total income is below the taxable threshold and they wish to avoid TDS, they can choose to file Form 15H.
Q3: Can I file Form 15H if I have salary income?
No, Form 15H is not applicable to salary income. It is meant to be filed for income sources such as interest on fixed deposits, savings accounts, or other types of income where TDS is deducted. Salary income is already subject to tax deduction at source under the provisions of the Income Tax Act, and Form 15H is not needed in this case.
Q4: Can I file Form 15H online?
While Form 15H is primarily submitted to financial institutions like banks and post offices, many of these institutions have online portals where you can file the form digitally. However, it is not possible to directly file Form 15H on the Income Tax Department's website. Each institution may have its own procedure for accepting the form, which may include online submission, in-person submission, or postal submission.
Q5: Will filing Form 15H ensure that I don’t have to file an Income Tax Return (ITR)?
Filing Form 15H prevents TDS deductions by confirming that your total income is below the exemption limit. However, filing Form 15H does not exempt you from filing an Income Tax Return (ITR). If your total income exceeds the exemption limit or you have other taxable income sources (such as capital gains, business income, etc.), you will still be required to file an ITR. Form 15H only addresses TDS, not overall tax filing obligations.
Q6: Can I file Form 15H for multiple bank accounts?
Yes, you can file Form 15H for each of your bank accounts where you earn interest or other income subject to TDS. If you have multiple accounts with different banks or financial institutions, you need to submit a separate Form 15H to each institution to ensure that TDS is not deducted. Each institution may have its own requirements for submission, so check with them for specific instructions.
Q7: What happens if I do not file Form 15H and TDS is deducted?
If you fail to file Form 15H and TDS is deducted from your interest income or any other applicable source, you can still claim a refund by filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) for the relevant financial year. In your ITR, you can show that your total income is below the taxable limit and request a refund of the TDS deducted.
Q8: Can I file Form 15H at any time during the year?
Form 15H can be filed at any time during the financial year, but it is ideally submitted at the beginning of the year to prevent TDS deductions on interest income from the outset. If you file Form 15H mid-year, it will only apply to the income earned from the date of submission, so you must ensure your income is below the exemption limit for the entire year.
Q9: Can I use Form 15H for fixed deposit income?
Yes, you can file Form 15H to avoid TDS on interest earned from fixed deposits, provided your total income is below the exemption limit. When filing Form 15H, you are essentially stating that your total income for the financial year will not exceed the taxable threshold, allowing you to prevent TDS deductions on fixed deposit interest income.
Q10: What if I file Form 15H but my income exceeds the exemption limit later in the year?
If your income exceeds the exemption limit after filing Form 15H, you may still be liable for TDS on the income that exceeds the limit. If TDS has not been deducted and your total income exceeds the taxable threshold, you will need to file an Income Tax Return (ITR) to report the income and pay the applicable taxes. It is crucial to accurately assess your income before filing Form 15H to avoid discrepancies later in the year.
Q11: Can I file Form 15H for interest from a joint account?
Yes, you can file Form 15H for interest earned from a joint account, provided you are one of the account holders and meet the eligibility criteria. However, Form 15H must be filed individually by each account holder for their respective share of interest income. The total interest income must be below the exemption limit for the individual account holder for the form to be valid.
Q12: How long is Form 15H valid?
Form 15H is typically valid for one financial year. If you need to prevent TDS deductions for the next year, you will need to file a new Form 15H at the beginning of each financial year. It’s essential to ensure that the form is filed before the financial institution starts paying interest or any other income subject to TDS to avoid any unnecessary deductions.
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