How to Download Form 15G for PF Withdrawal: A Complete Guide

When withdrawing your Provident Fund (PF) balance Form 15H is crucial for avoiding unnecessary TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) deductions. These forms are essential for individuals whose income is below the taxable limit, and submitting them correctly can help you get your PF withdrawal processed without any tax deductions.

What is Form 15G for EPF Withdrawal?

Form 15G or EPF Form 15G is available for resident individuals (below 60 years of age) and Hufs, to submit a self-declaration form to prevent the deduction of TDS. 

This form can also be submitted to prevent TDS deduction on withdrawal of EPF balance if the employees estimated income for the relevant financial year is less than the basic exemption limit (Rs. 2,50,000 under the Old Tax Regime and Rs. 4,00,000 for the New Tax Regime).

Recently, the EPFO Unified portal launched a facility to submit EPF Form 15G for PF, which allows EPF members to withdraw PF online.

Form 15G is commonly used to prevent TDS deduction on interest income from banks, withdrawal of NSE, dividends, insurance commission, maturity of insurance policy, etc.

Form 15G has to be submitted quarterly to the person or entity responsible for deducting TDS, either electronically or in physical paper form.

Where to Download Form 15G?

Form 15G is available for download on the following platforms:

• EPFO Portal: A direct download link is available on the EPFO website.
• Income Tax Department Website: Available for free download.
• Major Banks: Most Indian banks offer the option to download the form on their websites.

Direct Download Links For Form 15G:

• Download Form 15G from EPFO

 Here’s a sample Form 15G.

Is Form 15G Mandatory for PF Withdrawal?

Form 15G is not mandatory for PF withdrawal; however, it is required if you wish to avoid TDS deduction.
As per Section 192A of the Finance Act, 2015, TDS at 10% is deducted if the PF withdrawal amount exceeds Rs.50,000 and your service is less than 5 years.

PF Withdrawal TDS Rules

• 10% TDS – If you submit your PAN but not Form 15G.
• 20% TDS – If you fail to submit both PAN and Form 15G.
• No TDS – If you submit Form 15G. (subject to eligibility conditions).

Note: TDS is not applicable if:

• Your total income (including PF withdrawal) is below the taxable limit, or
• Withdrawal is made after 5 years of continuous service.

How to Submit Form 15G Online for PF Withdrawal?

You can easily submit Form 15G online through the EPFO portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Log in to the EPFO UAN Portal

• Go to the EPFO UAN Portal.
• Log in using your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password.

Step 2: Navigate to ‘Online Services’

• From the dashboard, click on Online Services and select Claim.

Step 3: Verify Your Bank Details

• Enter your bank account number and click Verify to ensure your details are correct.

Step 4: Upload Form 15G

• Under the ‘I want to apply for’ section, click on Upload Form 15G.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fill Form 15G for PF Withdrawal

Now that you have an idea about the TDS rules applicable to EPF and also what Form 15G or 15H is, let’s move on and understand how to fill out Form 15G for online EPF withdrawal.

• Login to EPFO UAN Unified Portal for members.
• Click on the Online Services option.
• Verify the last 4 digit Bank account.

You are required to fill out only Part I of Form 15G for PF withdrawal. Follow these instructions to fill up the other fields in Form 15G:

1. Name of the Assessee (Declarant) – Name must be as per your PAN Card
2. PAN of the Assessee: Form 15G can be submitted only by an individual and not by any firm or company. Enter your valid PAN card number and make sure the fourth letter of the PAN card number is ‘P’ otherwise your declaration will be treated as invalid. 
3. Status: Your applicable income tax status ,i.e Individual in this case.
4. Previous Year: You have to select the financial year in which you are claiming the non-deduction of TDS.
5. Residential Status: Mention ‘Resident’ as your residential status because NRI is not allowed to submit Form 15G.
6. Address: Mention your address, preferably the one mentioned in the Aadhaar card along with your PIN code.
7. Email ID and phone number: Provide a valid email ID and your contact number for further communications.
8. (a) Whether assessed to tax under the Income-tax Act, 1961: Place a tick in the ‘’Yes’’ box if you filed an ITR in any of the last few years. 
   (b) If yes, latest assessment year for which assessed: Look at the assessment year from the latest ITR and mention the same.
9. Estimated income for which this declaration is made: In this field, mention the estimated withdrawal amount.
10. Estimated total income of the P.Y. in which income mentioned in column 16 to be included: Mention the total estimated income of the financial year in which you plan to withdraw the PF amount.
11. Details of Form No. 15G other than this form filed during the previous year, if any: If you have filed another Form 15G anytime during the financial year, then mention the total number of Form 15Gs filled and the total of income amount of all these forms, i.e. total up the amount in filed (16) of all the forms.
12. Details of income for which the declaration is filed: In the last part you need to provide the following income details: 

• Investment identification number
• Nature of Income
• Section under which tax is deductible
• Amount of Income

After filling in all the fields, cross-check all the details to ensure there is no error.

How Much Amount of PF Interest is Tax-Free?

Interest on EPF contributions of up to Rs.2.5 lakh per year is tax-free. Any interest amount on contributions above this threshold will be taxed from the employee on a yearly basis.

Now that you know how to download and fill out Form 15G, you can save on TDS from your interest income. However, if individuals falsely declare Form 15G to avoid tax deduction at source, they are punishable by fines or imprisonment under the Income Tax Act’s Section 277. 

When is TDS Not Applicable on EPF Withdrawal?

1. EPF Transfer: When transferring an EPF account to another account, TDS is not applicable.
2. Termination due to illness or other causes: TDS is not applicable in case of termination of service due to ill health, discontinuation of business by an employer, completion of a project, or other causes beyond the control of the employee.
3. Completion of 5 years of service: If an employee withdraws the EPF amount after completing a total of 5 years of service, TDS is not applicable.
4. EPF withdrawal of less than ₹50,000: TDS is not applicable if the EPF amount is less than Rs.50,000 and the employee has rendered service of less than 5 years.
5. If the employee withdraws Rs.50,000 or more with less than 5 years of service but submits Form 15G/15H along with PAN Card, TDS is not deducted.

Conclusion: How to Avoid TDS on EPF Withdrawal with Form 15G

Form 15G is a powerful tool for avoiding unnecessary TDS deductions on your PF withdrawal. By following this step-by-step guide, you can easily download, fill out, and submit the form to ensure a smooth and hassle-free PF withdrawal process. Be sure to verify your income and submit the correct form to avoid any penalties.