/ No-TDS Declaration Checklist · Updated 2026-10-22
Form 15G / 15H No-TDS Declaration India 2026 Checklist, senior citizen + non-taxable income TDS avoidance.
Form 15G (below 60 years) / Form 15H (senior citizen 60+) are self-declarations submitted to deductor (bank / company / payer) to avoid TDS on income (interest / dividend / rental) when overall taxable income is below exemption limit. Section 197A Income Tax Act. Here's the complete 2026 submission framework.
DC
Written by CA Durgesh Chavda
Chartered Accountant (ICAI) · Founder, Bharat Quantum Prospera · US incorporation, India-US DTAA, FEMA ODI, NRI taxation, cross-border structuring · LinkedIn
/ When Form 15G / 15H applies
Section 197A core.
- Form 15G: individual below 60 years + HUF + trust (not company / firm). Submitted to avoid TDS when total income likely below basic exemption.
- Form 15H: individual 60+ (senior citizen). Submitted to avoid TDS on interest / dividend / rental when total income below exemption.
- Deductor must verify: cannot blindly accept; if declaration appears false, deductor still TDS applicable.
- Common deductors: banks (on FD / RD / savings interest above INR 50K senior / INR 40K regular), companies (on dividend above INR 5K), tenants (on rent above INR 50K monthly).
- Submitted annually at start of FY (April); refreshed if circumstances change.
/ Form 15G eligibility (below 60)
The strict conditions.
- Individual / HUF / trust (not company / firm / cooperative).
- Age below 60 years for individual.
- Total income (post all deductions) likely below basic exemption (INR 3 lakh old regime; INR 7 lakh new regime with Section 87A rebate).
- Tax on total income is NIL.
- Aggregate income from specific sources covered by declaration below specific thresholds.
/ Form 15H eligibility (60+ senior citizen)
Simpler.
- Individual aged 60 years + at any point in FY.
- Total income (post all deductions) likely below basic exemption (INR 3 lakh old; INR 7 lakh new with 87A rebate).
- Tax on total income is NIL.
- No aggregate income threshold for 15H (unlike 15G).
/ Submission + consequences
The workflow.
- Submit to each deductor separately (one bank, one company, one tenant - separate 15G/15H to each).
- At beginning of FY (April) ideally; mid-year submission accepted but partial-year TDS already deducted.
- Deductor reports to Income Tax Department via Form 15G/15H system online.
- If 15G/15H submitted but actual income exceeds exemption: penalty under Section 277 for false declaration + TDS short-collected becomes short-deduction + Section 201 interest.
- Deductor verifies PAN linking + aggregates with Form 26AS data.
Last updated: 2026-10-22.
/ Ready when you are
Senior citizen or low-income individual - avoid unnecessary TDS?
Form 15G / 15H submission + Form 26AS reconciliation + Indian ITR. BQP scope-based engagement for senior citizens.
FAQ
Common questions, answered.
What's the difference between Form 15G and 15H?
15G: individual below 60 + HUF / trust - with strict eligibility conditions including aggregate income threshold. 15H: individual 60+ (senior citizen) - simpler eligibility with no aggregate income threshold. Both are for avoiding TDS when overall taxable income is below exemption limit.
Can I submit 15H if I have multiple sources of income?
Yes - submit to each deductor separately. 15H to Bank A for FD interest, 15H to Bank B for savings interest, 15H to company for dividend, 15H to tenant for rent. Each deductor independently decides based on their payment. But if your TOTAL income exceeds exemption, false 15H exposes you to Section 277 penalty.
What if I submit 15G/15H and later income exceeds exemption?
Immediate penalty exposure under Section 277 (prosecution + fine) for false declaration + Section 201 interest for TDS shortfall. Correct action: notify deductors immediately to start TDS deduction; file ITR correctly reflecting all income; pay any shortfall + interest. Prevention: conservative estimation + annual review.
Does Form 15G/15H apply to NRIs?
No - specifically only for RESIDENT individuals / HUF / trust. NRIs cannot submit 15G/15H. For NRI income, specific TDS at Section 195 rates + treaty rate via Form 10F + TRC applies. Also NRI can claim refund of excess TDS via Indian ITR.
What's the dividend TDS threshold for 15G/15H?
Section 194 TDS on dividend from Indian company: 10% TDS above INR 5,000 per FY per person. 15G/15H can be submitted to company to avoid TDS when overall income is below exemption. Many Indian retail dividend recipients eligible for 15G/15H.
Does BQP help senior citizens with 15H + Indian ITR?
Yes - standard senior citizen tax engagement. 15H submission to all deductors (banks + companies + tenants) at start of FY + Form 26AS reconciliation + annual ITR filing + Section 80TTA / 80TTB specific deductions + Section 194P / 194A specific exemptions. Scope-based engagement. WhatsApp +91 78018 87130.
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