Form 16 / Form 130 Cover Letter
Send employees their annual TDS certificate on salary with a short cover letter summarising salary and TDS.
Law version: FY 2024-25 to FY 2025-26 (Income-tax Act, 1961); Tax Year 2026-27 onwards (Income-tax Act, 2025). Checked on 26 Sep 2026.
What it is
An employer that deducts TDS on salary must give each employee a certificate of tax deducted: Form 16 under Section 203 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 for FY 2025-26 and earlier, and Form 130 under Section 395(4) of the Income-tax Act, 2025 from Tax Year 2026-27. Part A is generated from TRACES and Part B gives the salary details. A cover letter summarises the gross salary and TDS and reminds the employee to check it against the annual information statement before filing the return.
When it is used
- Issuing year-end TDS certificates to employees.
- Re-issuing a certificate after correcting a TDS statement.
- Employees who left during the year.
What the template covers
- Employer name, address, TAN and PAN
- Employee name, PAN and ID
- Year
- Gross salary
- Total TDS deducted
- Authorised signatory
Details you will need
The generator asks for the following. Fields marked with an asterisk in the form are required; the rest can be left blank and filled in later in Word.
Letter
Letter Date
Employer
Employer Name; Employer Address; TAN; PAN
Employee
Employee Name; Employee PAN; Employee ID
Period
Financial Year / Tax Year
Summary
Gross Salary (₹); Total TDS Deducted (₹); Q4 TDS Quarter End
Signatory
Authorised Signatory; Designation
Stamp duty, registration and filing
Form 16 for FY 2025-26 is due by 15 June 2026; Form 130 for Tax Year 2026-27 is due by 15 June 2027. Part A must be downloaded from TRACES. Late issue can attract a penalty for each day of default. Check the current due dates on incometax.gov.in.
Form 16 is issued for FY 2025-26 and earlier (by 15 June 2026 for FY 2025-26). For Tax Year 2026-27 the certificate is Form 130, due by 15 June 2027.
Generate the Form 16 / Form 130 Cover Letter (TDS Certificate)
Fill in the form and download the draft as a Word file. It is a general template, not legal or professional advice; have it reviewed for your facts before you sign or rely on it.
Need this checked against your facts, or the registration or filing that follows (e.g. TDS returns, ITR)? Contact SKAG and Associates
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Frequently asked questions
When will I get Form 16 for FY 2025-26?
By 15 June 2026. From Tax Year 2026-27 the certificate is Form 130, due by 15 June 2027.
What if my employer did not deduct TDS?
Form 16 or Form 130 is issued only where tax was deducted. You still report the salary in your return.
What if Form 16 does not match the AIS?
Ask the employer to correct the TDS statement, and report the correct salary in your return.
This page gives general information for reference only. Laws, stamp duty rates and filing requirements change and differ between States, so confirm the current position for your case. Related: all document templates · free tax calculators · compliance calendar and guides.