TDS TRACES: Accessing TDS Login Through TRACES
TRACES Terves is the official platform for the TDS Reconciliation and Correction Enabling System, a web-based application introduced by the Income Tax Department. This online interface facilitates a seamless connection with TDS, making TDS reconciliation an imperative step in income tax filing.
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The TRACES application enables both TDS payers and deductors to reconcile various TDS payments online. This efficient online filing and reconciliation mechanism not only saves time for stakeholders but also diminishes errors through automated validation during income tax filing. Furthermore, it expedites the refund process, proving advantageous for taxpayers.
Let's learn how to log in and access the TRACES portal to access the features.
TRACES Portal Features
The TRACES portal is connected and integrated with different types of Income Tax websites to facilitate reconciliation and correction of TDS forms. The components that interact with TRACES are:
Tax Information Network (TIN)
TDS Defaults processing
Automated TDS Challan Matching
Income Tax web portal
IVR/Call Centre
TRACES is an integrated portal that allows proceedings related to different types of TDS forms, such as
Form 16B
Form 16A
Form 26AS
When you log in as a taxpayer, you can view and download these tax documents, which are crucial for filing tax returns. Deductors who are responsible for verifying and validating taxpayer details also utilise features of the TRACES website to complete their process.
A variety of tasks detailed below can be carried out on the TRACES website:
Viewing and downloading of form 26AS
Filing for TDS/TCS statement corrections
Viewing of challan status
Checking the status of multiple tax statements
Submitting refund request
Downloading consolidated (conso) file, justification report
Downloading Form 16 and Form 16A (allowed only for deductors)
Correcting previously filed TDS returns
Correcting OLTAS challan
Features of TRACES
The TRACES portal provides instant and immediate access to TDS information for taxpayers and deductors. Some of the salient features of the TRACES portal are:
Dashboard containing a summary of user accounts
TAN online registration
TDS online filing
TDS statement online correction
Form 26AS viewing
Form 16/16A downloading
Consolidated TDS file downloading
Form 26QB correction
TDS refund processing
Grievance – registration and resolution
While it has many features, not all are accessible to taxpayers. For taxpayers, the usage is restricted, allowing them to view, download and reconcile TDS forms. Taxpayers can benefit from the following features of the TRACES portal:
Viewing of tax credit Form 26AS
Downloading Forms 26AS and Form 16B
Managing user profile
Verifying TDS certificate
Downloading Aggregated TDS Compliances Report
Deductions can log in as Admin or Sub users based on their privilege and access control. Admin users must register with TAN registration. You must surrender TAN to the assessing officer to become an Admin user. Four sub-users can be created by an admin user with a TAN.
Apart from taxpayers and deductors, a third type of user can also register with the TRACES website. The Pay and Accounts Office (PAO) can view a detailed summary of all activities of the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) and the status of TAN mapped to the Account Office Identification Number (AIN).
From the taxpayer's perspective, the deductors and PAO accounts on TRACES can be considered administrator access. However, each user will have restrictions on what they can view and download. Deductors deduct tax at source to use the platform for reconciling statements. PAO accounts represent government offices that manage TDS based transactions, ensuring their accuracy on the platform.
TDS TRACES login
Creating an account on the TRACES portal and accessing it is pretty straightforward. It only involves a few steps:
To create a new account,
Go to the TRACES portal
Click on Continue on the pop-up
Register as a new user if you are using it for the first time
Provide all the application details and upload proof documents when needed
Your account has been created.
For TDS TRACES login,
Go to the TRACES portal
Click on Continue on the pop-up
Enter the login details after choosing Taxpayer/PAO
Access the required forms and download them if you need them
Similar to the taxpayer, the deductor can register as a new user and provide the necessary details to complete registration. The entire process is streamlined and simplified.
Justification Report for Deductors
One of the crucial documents available on the TRACES portal is the Justification report. It contains all the details about discrepancies or errors identified by the Income Tax Department. This report is generated based on the TDS statement of deductor for a particular quarter of the fiscal year.
The justification report is a crucial reference document for deductors. They can identify and rectify errors to ensure compliance with tax regulations. This report is a detailed report that contains the nature and extent of error detection. Deductors use this report to take remedial measures and file correction statements. They can also pay the necessary fees, interest, and other pending dues. These reports play a significant role in streamlining TDS correction to ensure compliance by clarifying discrepancies for tax authorities.
Compliance Report for Taxpayers
The compliance report is a comprehensive document for taxpayers to identify all transactions associated with entry-level PAN. To download the Compliance report, follow the steps outlined below:
Login to the TRACES portal as a taxpayer
Click on Aggregated TDS Compliance
Select the right option to generate a report
Click on Submit Request
Download the Excel file from the Downloads menu
Resolution Request
Another critical feature of the TRACES website that benefits taxpayers is the Request for Resolution facility. You can register your grievances and get the authorities to resolve them quickly. The online process has a trial you can access using the web-based ticketing system. To register your grievance,
Login to the TRACES portal as a taxpayer
Go to Request for Resolution
Choose the right category
Select the assessment year
Enter the necessary information and click on Submit
Note down the ticket number that you can track for resolution
An assessing officer will be assigned tickets, and they must respond within a specific time period. When the ticket status is open, it means that someone has been assigned to address your concern. In Progress status means that the assessor has provided clarification. The clarification asked status indicates that tax authorities are yet to provide the clarification. There is a 30-day period for this clarification to be provided. A request for closure means that the assessee got clarification from the deductor. After a period of 30 days, the ticket will be closed automatically.
Conclusion
The TRACES portal provides taxpayers with a comprehensive view of all taxes deducted at source, including regular salaries. The taxpayer can easily view all the taxes collected and deposited through the TRACES website. Form 16/16A serves as valid proof of taxes deducted at source, which can be useful while filing returns. The Annual Information Report (AIR) also provides all transactional information to taxpayers. Do the complexities of tax return filing boggle you down?
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FAQs
Q1. Who can use TDS login for TRACES?
Any individual or entity, who is a taxpayer, and needs to manage tax deduction at the source needs the TRACES login. Once you create your TDS TRACES account, you can access and manage TDS related information.
Q2. What activities can I perform on the TRACES portal?
The TRACES portal is available 24 x 7 and you can access it for a variety of tasks such as downloading TDS certificates, file TDS returns, view TDS credit, raise correction requests, and complete other TDS related activities as approved by the Income Tax Department.
Q3. Is there any cost for viewing and downloading TDS forms on TRACES portal?
No, there are no fees or charges involved for viewing and downloading TDS forms and certificates on TDS portal. Ensuring accurate TDS information is crucial to reduce tax liability and ensure compliance.
Q4. What is the significance of Form 26AS?
The Form 26AS is a consolidated tax statement for Indian taxpayers. It contains details about TDS, TCS and tax payments linked to your PAN number. It is useful for verifying tax credits. This form is important while filing income tax return and ensures transparency of refunds.
Q5. What should I know about Form 16?
Form 16 is generated by deductors who are entities that deduct TDS. Employers generate Form 16 internally for their employees. Once generated, employers or deductors issue Form 16 to deductees or employees. It is a proof that tax is deducted at source.
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