Form 26AS and AIS: the annual tax statement, now Form 168
Form 26AS was the annual statement of TDS, TCS and taxes paid. From 1 April 2026 it is replaced by Form 168 under the Income-tax Rules 2026.
Short answer
Form 26AS was the annual tax credit statement on the income-tax portal that showed TDS and TCS credited against a PAN, advance and self-assessment tax paid, refunds and specified transactions. The Annual Information Statement (AIS) gave a wider view of reported financial transactions. Under the Income-tax Rules, 2026, Form 26AS is replaced by Form 168 from 1 April 2026.
- Old form
- Form 26AS, with AIS and TIS
- New form
- Form 168 under the Income-tax Rules, 2026
- Shows
- TDS, TCS, tax payments, refunds, reported transactions
- Access
- Income-tax e-filing portal
What the statement shows
The statement pulls data from deductors' TDS returns, collectors' TCS returns, banks and other reporting entities. It typically includes the items below, and it is the reference the tax department uses when processing returns.
- Tax deducted or collected at source, with deductor TAN
- Advance tax and self-assessment tax paid
- Refunds received
- Specified high-value transactions reported by banks and others
- Interest, dividends and securities transactions
Form 168 and older years
From 1 April 2026, Form 168 replaces Form 26AS under the Income-tax Rules, 2026, as part of the move to the Income-tax Act, 2025. For returns of financial year 2025-26 and earlier years governed by the 1961 Act, taxpayers may still see Form 26AS and AIS on the portal. The purpose is unchanged: to reconcile the income and tax credits you report with what third parties have reported against your PAN.
Why it matters for startups
A company's tax credits for TDS deducted by customers appear only if the customers file their TDS returns with the correct PAN. Reconcile the statement quarterly, follow up with customers whose deductions are missing, and check that your own TDS filings are reflected correctly for your vendors. Mismatches lead to lower refunds, demands and notices, and fixing them late in the year is much harder than catching them quarterly.
Related services
Sources
- TaxHeal: Form 168 under Income-tax Rules 2026 replaces Form 26AS
- Business Today: income-tax forms changing from 1 April 2026
- Income Tax Department e-filing portal
Written by the Refogo Editorial Team from the official sources above and checked on 2026-10-31. Laws, rates and due dates change, and authorities often extend deadlines, so confirm your own case with a qualified professional. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Read our editorial policy or report an error to support@refogo.com.
Common questions
Is Form 26AS discontinued?
Under the Income-tax Rules, 2026, Form 168 replaces Form 26AS from 1 April 2026, though earlier years' statements remain accessible.
What should I do if TDS is missing from the statement?
Ask the deductor to correct and file its TDS return with your correct PAN. Credit is generally allowed only when it appears in the statement.
Is AIS the same as Form 26AS?
AIS covered a wider range of reported transactions, while Form 26AS focused on tax credits. Form 168 now serves as the annual information statement under the new rules.