1 month ago
EPFO Replaces Forms 15G/15H with Form 121 for TDS Exemption
The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) says that starting in 2026, people who want to avoid tax being taken out of their pension money must use a new form called Form 121.
The old forms, 15G and 15H, will no longer work.
Form 121 is a single form that says the person’s total income for the year will not owe any tax.
The rules for who can use it stay the same.
People need to fill out the form before their money is paid out and make sure all the details are correct.
From April 1, 2026, EPFO members must use Form 121 to claim TDS exemption on EPF withdrawals.
Forms 15G and 15H will no longer be valid for this purpose.
Form 121 is a unified declaration confirming that a taxpayer’s estimated total income will result in nil tax liability.
Eligibility criteria remain largely unchanged; members must still meet the same conditions to qualify for non‑deduction.
Members should submit Form 121 before income is credited or paid and ensure all details (PAN, income, tax liability) are correct.
- Who
- Employees Provident Fund Organisation members
- What
- Change in the form used to claim TDS exemption on EPF withdrawals
- Where
- India
- When
- Effective from the tax year 2026–27 (April 1, 2026)
- Why
- To streamline TDS compliance by replacing separate forms 15G and 15H with a unified declaration
Key facts
- Effective date
- April 1, 2026
- New form
- Form 121
- Old forms replaced
- Forms 15G and 15H
- Purpose
- TDS exemption on EPF withdrawals
- Authority
- Income Tax Act, 2025
Sources
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