Changes in Form 16 and Form 24Q

The CBDT has notified changes in Form 16 (TDS Certificate for Salary Income) and Form 24Q (TDS return in respect of salary). The changes have been made to bring TDS certificate in sync with new ITR forms issued for AY 2019-20. The changes are as follows:

1. Clause-wise reporting of exempt allowances and deduction under Chapter VI-A

In existing Form 16 (Part B), the employer had an option to provide a description of the exempt allowance. Consequently, every organization had created different formats as per their requirements, which resulted in discorded formats of Part B of Form 16. The new Form 16 (Part B) has removed this option to write-down the description of exempt allowances. Now the employers have to mention the amount of exempt allowance before earmarked fields. Similar changes have been made in respect of deduction available under Chapter VI-A and losses under the head house property. These changes would ensure that organizations follow common structure of TDS certificates and employees find it convenient to file the tax return on basis of TDS certificates. Further, it also gives a confirmation that the deductions and exemptions claimed by the employees in Income-tax return match with the information available in TDS certificate.

2. Standard Deduction

The Finance Act, 2018 introduced the standard deduction of up to Rs. 40,000 for the salaried persons. The new Form 16 has accordingly been revised to incorporate the effect of this amendment.

3. Reporting of salary received from other employers

If an employee has received salary from his ex-employer or other employer during the previous year and same has been reported to the current employer for TDS purposes, then separate reporting is required for such salary income in new Form 16.

4. Furnishing of PAN of the lender in case of home loan

In new Form 24Q, it is mandatory to furnish the PAN of the lender in case any deduction has been claimed in respect of housing loan taken from a person other than a Financial Institution or the Employer. Earlier, it was optional.

Refer: www.taxmann.com