When your total income for the financial year is not chargeable to tax, you can file Form 15G (Form 15H for senior citizens) to avoid unnecessary TDS deductions.
Budget 2026 Update
It is proposed that depositories collect Forms 15G and 15H from investors holding multiple securities and forward them to the relevant companies.
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.
- Form 15G (Form 15H for senior citizens) 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.
Form 15G Download
Download Form 15G from EPFO
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:
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.
Important points to Fill Form 15G for PF Withdrawal
Follow these instructions to fill up the other fields in Form 15G:
- Status: Your applicable income tax status ,i.e Individual in this case.
- Residential Status: Mention ‘Resident’ as your residential status because NRI is not allowed to submit Form 15G.
- (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 tax year for which assessed: Look at the tax year from the latest ITR and mention the same. - 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.
When is TDS Not Applicable on EPF Withdrawal?
- EPF Transfer: When transferring an EPF account to another account, TDS is not applicable.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.