Form 16 is the most important document needed to file Income tax return as it contains details of the total salary paid by the employer and the tax deducted from the income. This form is provided by the employer but even if you do not have Form 16 you can still file your income tax return. Here is how you can file your ITR without Form 16.

Filing of income tax return (ITR) for the financial year 2017-18 has started with most of the employer issuing Form 16 to their employees. In order to file your income tax return you need some basic documents like PAN Card, Form 16, Interest certificates from banks and post offices, salary slips, tax saving investment proofs etc. Form 16 is very essential when you are filing your ITR as this form tell you your total income, taxable income and the TDS deducted from it by the employeer. These details are required when you are filing your ITR.

However, it does not mean that Form 16 is necessary for filing ITR. If you do not have form 16 then you do not need to worry. You can still file your ITR without Form 16. You just need to follow some simple steps.

Here is a step by step guide to help you file your income tax return without Form 16

1. The first thing you need to do is collect your salary slips for the last financial year. You need to have all the payslips even if you have changed your job in between. Once you have all the payslips with you, calculate your total salary. Do keep in mind that while you are calculating your net taxable income, your employer's PF contribution will not be considered but your PF contribution will be.

2. Once you have calculated your gross total income and your net taxable income you need to check how much tax is deducted. For this, you have to refer to Form 26AS. Make sure that the tax deduction mentioned on the Form 26AS is same as what is mentioned by your employer in the pay slips. In case the employer has deducted more, then you have to talk to them and ask them to pay you the rest and in case your employer has deducted less you will have to pay the remaining tax before you file your ITR.

3. In case you receive allowances like transport allowance, medical allowance etc. you can get tax exemption of up to Rs 34,200 while you are calculating your income tax. You can also reduce your tax liability by claiming House Rent Allowance (HRA) exemption as well. You should also calculate other exempt allowances like food coupons etc from your net taxable income.

4. If you have made any investment under section 80C and CCD of the Income Tax Act then you can claim deduction upto Rs 2 Lakh. In case you are earning extra from rental income, part-time business or interest earned on fixed deposits then you will have to declare all of that as it will come under your total taxable income.

5. Once you have completed all the above mentioned steps you will need to calculate your exact income tax on the net taxable income based on the tax slab rates declared by the government for that financial year. After you have calculated the payable tax, you need to find out the amount of tax paid by you. In case the tax paid by you is less than the amount mentioned in the Form 26AS you need to pay the remaining amount. Once everything is paid off and you are sure that everything is same as mentioned in Form 26AS, you can file your income tax return without Form 16.