Form 15G for PF Withdrawal: Download, Fill & Submit (2026 Guide)

Form 15G for PF Withdrawal: Download, Fill & Submit (2026 Guide)

Form 15G for PF Withdrawal: How to Download, Fill & Submit It (2026 Updated Guide)

If you're withdrawing your PF before completing 5 years of service and the amount crosses ₹50,000 — TDS will be deducted. Unless you submit Form 15G for PF withdrawal in time.

This guide covers everything: what the form is, who can use it, how to download it, how to fill it, and how to submit it online through the EPFO portal. Plus the important 2026 update you may have missed.

What Is Form 15G for EPF Withdrawal?

Form 15G is a self-declaration form under the Income Tax Act. Resident individuals below 60 years of age and HUFs can submit it to prevent TDS from being deducted on their income — including EPF withdrawals.

The basic idea: you're declaring to EPFO that your total estimated income for the year is below the taxable limit. So there's no reason to deduct tax at source.

It's commonly used to avoid TDS on bank interest, PF withdrawals, insurance commission, dividends, and policy maturity amounts.

Important 2026 Update — Form 121 Replaces Form 15G From 1st April 2026, under the new Income Tax Forms 2026, a unified Form 121 replaces both Form 15G and Form 15H for Tax Year 2026–27 onwards. The purpose stays the same — preventing TDS when your income is below the basic exemption limit. But the form name changes.

Is Form 15G Mandatory for PF Withdrawal?

No — it's not mandatory. But it's necessary if you want to avoid TDS.

Here's how TDS works under Section 192A of the Finance Act, 2015:

• 10% TDS — if you submit your PAN but not Form 15G
• 20% TDS — if you submit neither PAN nor Form 15G
• No TDS — if you submit Form 15G (subject to eligibility)

So if you qualify and don't submit the form? You're leaving money on the table that you'll have to claim back through an ITR refund. Submitting the 15g pf form upfront is simply smarter.

When Is TDS Not Applicable on EPF Withdrawal?

There are situations where TDS doesn't apply at all — regardless of whether you submit the 15g epf form:

• 5 years of continuous service completed — TDS is not deducted at the time of EPF withdrawal
• Withdrawal below ₹50,000 — even with less than 5 years of service, TDS doesn't apply
• EPF account transfer — transferring your account to another isn't a withdrawal; no TDS
• Termination due to health, project completion, or business shutdown — TDS is not applicable in these cases

If you've withdrawn ₹50,000 or more with under 5 years of service but submitted your 15g form epf withdrawal along with your PAN — TDS won't be deducted.

How to Download Form 15G (PDF)

You can download Form 15G directly from the Income Tax Department's official website:

1. Go to the Income Tax Department official website
2. Navigate to "Income Tax Provisions" → scroll down → click "Income Tax Forms"
3. Search for Form 15G and download the PDF

That's it. The form 15g download takes under a minute.

For Tax Year 2026–27 onwards, you'll need to download Form 121 instead — that's the new unified form that replaces the old 15 g 15 h form setup.

Eligibility: Who Can Submit Form 15G?

Before submitting, check that you meet all three conditions:

1. You are a resident individual aged 60 years or below (or a HUF)
2. Your gross tax liability is zero after applicable exemptions
3. Your total income does not exceed the basic exemption limit

If you're a senior citizen (60+), you need Form 15H — not Form 15G. NRIs cannot submit either form.

What's the income limit? Under the old tax regime, the exemption limit is ₹2,50,000. Under the new regime, it's ₹3,00,000. If your total income (including the PF withdrawal) stays below this — you're eligible.

How to Submit Form 15G Online for PF Withdrawal

The EPFO portal makes this reasonably simple. Here's the process:

Step 1: Log In to the EPFO UAN Portal

Go to the EPFO UAN Portal and log in with your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password.

Step 2: Go to Online Services → Claim

From the dashboard, click Online Services and select Claim.

Step 3: Verify Your Bank Details

Enter your bank account number and click Verify. This has to match what's on record — otherwise the claim won't go through.

Step 4: Upload the Form

Under "I want to apply for," click Upload Form 15G. This is where you attach the filled and signed 15g pf withdrawal form.

How to Fill Form 15G Correctly

A few fields trip people up. Here's what to enter:

• Status → Select "Individual"
• Residential Status → Select "Resident" (NRIs cannot use this form)
• Whether assessed to tax? → Tick "Yes" if you've filed an ITR in any recent year
• Latest tax year assessed → Check your most recent ITR and enter that year
• Income details → This is the last section. You'll need to enter:
  • Investment identification number
  • Nature of income
  • Section under which tax is deductible
  • Amount of income

Double-check everything before submission. A mismatch in PAN or income details can invalidate the declaration.

One thing people often miss: Part 2 of the form is not for you to fill. That section is filled by the deductor (EPFO or the bank). Leave it blank.

Form 15G vs Form 15H — What's the Difference?

Two key differences:

Form 15G — for resident individuals aged 60 years or below, and HUFs. Cannot be filed by senior citizens or organisations.

Form 15H — only for senior citizen individuals (60+). HUFs and organisations cannot use it.

Both serve the same purpose: preventing TDS when your estimated income is below the taxable limit. The 15 g 15 h form distinction purely comes down to age.

Does Form 15G Need to Be Submitted Every Year?

Yes. Both Form 15G and Form 15H are valid only for one financial year. You need to submit them fresh at the beginning of every new financial year — or at the time of your EPF withdrawal claim, whichever applies.

For PF withdrawal specifically: submit the form at the time you file the withdrawal claim. For other cases like bank interest, submit it at the start of the financial year so no TDS gets deducted on your interest income throughout the year.

Do You Submit This Form to the Income Tax Department?

No. You submit Form 15G to the deductor — EPFO, your bank, or whoever is paying you the income. They are responsible for submitting it to the Income Tax Department. You don't have to do that separately.

FAQs

Q: What is the new Form 121 and does it replace Form 15G for PF withdrawal?

A: Yes. From April 1, 2026, Form 121 is the new unified income tax declaration form that replaces both Form 15G and Form 15H under the Income Tax Rules 2026. Its purpose is the same — to prevent TDS when your income is below the basic exemption limit. For Tax Year 2026–27 onwards, you'll need to submit Form 121 instead of the old 15g epf form.

Q: Can I submit Form 15G for PF withdrawal if I have worked for less than 2 years?

A: Yes, you can — as long as your total income (including the PF withdrawal) falls below the basic exemption limit and your tax liability is zero. Service duration doesn't affect eligibility for Form 15G; it affects whether TDS applies in the first place. If you qualify, submitting the 15g pf withdrawal form prevents TDS from being deducted.

Q: What happens if I submit Form 15G but my income later exceeds the exemption limit?

A: If your actual income at year-end crosses the taxable threshold, the TDS that was not deducted due to your Form 15G declaration becomes your liability. You'll need to pay the applicable tax when filing your ITR. Submitting a false declaration intentionally can attract penalties under the Income Tax Act.

Q: Is PAN card mandatory for filing 15g form epf withdrawal?

A: Yes, your PAN is mandatory. Without a valid PAN, the declaration becomes invalid, and TDS will be deducted at the higher rate of 20% — even if you submitted the form. Always ensure your PAN is correctly linked to your UAN before initiating a PF withdrawal.

Q: Can an NRI submit Form 15G or Form 15H for PF withdrawal?

A: No. Both Form 15G and Form 15H are only for resident individuals. NRIs are not permitted to file these declarations. TDS rules for NRI PF withdrawals are governed under different provisions of the Income Tax Act.

Q: What is the maximum income limit to be eligible to file Form 15G?

A: Under the old tax regime, your total income should not exceed ₹2,50,000. Under the new tax regime, the limit is ₹3,00,000. If your income — including the EPF withdrawal amount — stays within these limits, you can submit the 15g h form and request no TDS deduction.

Q: If I transfer my EPF account to a new employer, do I need to submit Form 15G?

A: No. An EPF account transfer is not treated as a withdrawal, so TDS is not applicable in the first place. You only need to submit the form 15g for pf situations where money is being paid out to you — not when it's being transferred to another PF account.

Q: What if I don't have my UAN activated — can I still submit Form 15G online?

A: No. UAN activation and KYC linking (Aadhaar, PAN, bank account) are mandatory to access the EPFO online portal and upload Form 15G. If your UAN isn't active, you'll need to complete that process first through the EPFO member portal before submitting the 15 g epf form online.

Q: How many times can I submit Form 15G in a single financial year?

A: There's no strict limit on how many times you can submit Form 15G within a year, but all submissions must be made to the respective deductors at the beginning of the financial year — or at the time of each transaction, in the case of EPF withdrawal. The total declared income across all submissions should remain consistent.

Q: Will Form 15G protect me from TDS if I withdraw PF from multiple accounts?

A: You need to submit Form 15G separately to each deductor — meaning for each PF account withdrawal. Also, when declaring income, you must account for income from all sources, not just one account. If your aggregate income (across all withdrawals and other income) exceeds the exemption limit, Form 15G won't protect you from TDS liability.