Withdrawing your Provident Fund (PF) should be straightforward, after all, it’s your hard-earned money.
But if the withdrawal happens before completing five years of continuous service, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is required to deduct tax at source (TDS). This often catches employees off guard and reduces their final payout.
By submitting your details, you agree to PNB MetLife's Privacy Policy and authorize PNB MetLife and/or its authorized service providers to verify the above information and/or contact you to assist you with the policy purchase and/or servicing. You have the option to opt-out of this contact authorization by un-checking the box. The authorization provided by you herein will supersede all earlier authorizations/registrations made by you in this regard.
Submitting Form 15G for PF Withdrawal Online helps you avoid this deduction, provided your total annual income is below the taxable limit. It’s a simple yet important declaration that ensures your savings reach you in full, without unnecessary tax cuts or processing delays.
Knowing how to download, fill, and submit Form 15G correctly can make your PF withdrawal completely smooth and compliant.
Form 15G for PF Withdrawal Online is a self-declaration form under Section 197A of the Income Tax Act. It allows an individual under the age of 60 to declare that their total income for the financial year is below the basic exemption limit.
Submitting this form ensures that the EPFO does not deduct tax at source when you make an EPF withdrawal before completing five years of service.
In simple terms, Form 15G tells the income-tax authorities that your total income does not attract TDS. It’s important to note that the form applies to individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) only, not to firms, companies, or NRIs.
When used correctly, this declaration form can help you retain every rupee of your PF savings without waiting for tax refunds later.
The EPFO is required by law to deduct TDS if an employee withdraws their provident fund balance before completing five continuous years of service and the withdrawal amount exceeds ₹ 50,000.
This deduction is made even if the individual’s total income for the year falls below the taxable limit. In such cases, submitting Form 15G prevents this unnecessary deduction.
For instance, if you have worked for three years and your PF corpus amounts to ₹ 80,000, the EPFO may deduct 10% as TDS, reducing your payout. But if you declare your income through Form 15G for PF Withdrawal Online, you confirm that you are below the taxable limit, and no TDS will be deducted. This process helps ensure you get your full withdrawal without waiting months to claim a refund.
To use Form 15G, you must meet certain eligibility conditions. The form can only be submitted if:
If any of these conditions are not met, you cannot submit the form. In that case, TDS will be deducted at the applicable rate as per the latest TDS tax chart.
Form 15G should be submitted when all the following conditions apply:
Remember that Form 15G is valid only for the financial year in which it is submitted. If you withdraw PF in a new financial year, you must file it again.
Downloading Form 15G for PF Withdrawal Online is simple. You can get it from any of the following official sources:
Both portals provide the latest version of Form 15G in PDF format. You can either print and fill it manually or fill it digitally before uploading it on the EPFO member portal.
The Form 15G for PF Withdrawal has two main parts:
In this section, you must enter your personal and income details carefully:
Be precise, any mismatch can delay your PF claim. Always attach a self-attested copy of your PAN Card when submitting this form.
This part is for the organisation receiving the form. It includes verification details such as the amount of PF being withdrawn and the date of submission. You don’t need to fill or sign this section.
Once the form is filled out, you can upload it through the UAN Member e-Seva portal. Follow these steps:
After submission, you can check your claim status under Track Claim Status on the same portal.
This step ensures that your Form 15 G for EPF is properly recorded, helping you avoid any unnecessary tax deductions during withdrawal.
Even small errors in Form 15G can lead to rejection or delay in your PF withdrawal. Some of the most common mistakes include:
Avoiding these mistakes will ensure that your claim is processed quickly and accurately.
Submitting Form 15G for PF Withdrawal Online is entirely legal, but it’s important to understand its intent. It does not exempt you from paying tax if you are otherwise liable. It merely ensures that TDS is not deducted at source when your total income is below the taxable threshold.
If your income later exceeds the limit, you must disclose the PF withdrawal amount while filing your income-tax return under Section 80C.
Form 15G thus serves as a declaration of your current financial status, not a permanent exemption.
TDS on EPF withdrawal is meant to apply only in specific cases, mainly when the withdrawal happens early or without the right declarations. However, there are several legitimate situations where TDS is not deducted:
When you shift jobs and transfer your existing EPF balance to the new employer’s account, it’s considered a continuation of service, not a withdrawal. Therefore, no TDS is deducted.
If employment ends due to ill health, the shutdown of the employer’s business, completion of a fixed-term project, or any circumstance outside the employee’s control, TDS does not apply to the withdrawal amount.
Once an employee completes five years of total service, including periods with previous employers, the entire EPF balance becomes tax-exempt. Any withdrawal after this period attracts no TDS.
If your total PF balance is less than ₹50,000 and your service period is under five years, no TDS will be deducted, even though the withdrawal is technically before maturity.
Employees who withdraw ₹50,000 or more with less than five years of service can still avoid TDS by submitting Form 15G or 15H along with their PAN card. This declaration confirms that their total income is below the taxable limit for the financial year.
If you’re unsure about TDS exemption or how to file Form 15G or 15H correctly, it’s best to get expert help. You can talk to an expert for personalised guidance on submitting Form 15G for PF Withdrawal Online and keeping your withdrawal fully compliant and tax-efficient.
Always save a digital copy of the submitted form and the acknowledgement received from the EPFO portal. These documents act as proof of declaration if the tax authorities seek clarification later. Keep these along with your salary slips and Form 26AS for the relevant year.
It’s also advisable to verify periodically that your UAN, PAN, and Aadhaar details are linked and updated on the EPFO portal. Doing so prevents discrepancies during future claims or employment transitions.
Form 15G for PF Withdrawal Online is more than just a tax form, it’s your assurance that your savings stay intact when you withdraw your PF before five years. Submitting it correctly helps you avoid unnecessary TDS, keeps your finances transparent, and ensures faster access to your funds.
Before applying, double-check your income eligibility, update your PAN and UAN details, and upload the form accurately through the EPFO portal.
Take control of your finances with confidence. Get expert, one-on-one guidance from PNB MetLife on tax-efficient planning, PF withdrawals, and long-term savings. Talk to an Expert today and make every decision count.
Handled properly, this simple step ensures your PF withdrawal is smooth, compliant, and completely tax-efficient.
Download Form 15G from the EPFO UAN portal or Income Tax site, fill Part I, save as PDF, and upload it during your online PF claim.
Log in to the EPFO UAN portal, go to Online Services → Claim (Form 31, 19 & 10C), verify details, upload Form 15G, and submit.
Individuals under 60 with no tax liability withdrawing PF before five years must fill Form 15G.
Yes, you can withdraw your full PF after retirement or two months of unemployment via the UAN portal.
Related Articles:
Tax Savings Under Section 44ADA of the Income Tax Act
Section 10 (10D): Tax-Free Life Insurance Payout Benefits
Section 80C of Income Tax Act: What is Deductions Under 80C
Intimation Under Section 143(1) of Income Tax Act
Differences Between Section 80CCD (1) & 80CCD (2) - Check Tax Benefits
Piyush Kataria, SEO Manager at PNB MetLife, is a seasoned digital marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in optimizing websites for search engines. His expertise extends to keyword research, content strategy, technical SEO, and link building, all of which have been instrumental in driving organic traffic growth at PNB MetLife. With a strong foundation in life insurance, Piyush leverages his industry knowledge to create targeted and effective SEO campaigns.
Sakshi Malhotra is a seasoned marketing professional associated with the Life Insurance industry since 2007. At PNB MetLife, she heads Digital Marketing and Direct to Customer line of business. She is responsible for driving effective customer engagement through the company’s website and social media channels. In addition, she drives customer online buying journeys to help them buy the right product.
Disclaimer:
The aforesaid article presents the view of an independent writer who is an expert on financial and insurance matters. PNB MetLife India Insurance Co. Ltd. doesn’t influence or support views of the writer of the article in any way. The article is informative in nature and PNB MetLife and/ or the writer of the article shall not be responsible for any direct/ indirect loss or liability or medical complications incurred by the reader for taking any decisions based on the contents and information given in article. Please consult your financial advisor/ insurance advisor/ health advisor before making any decision.
PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited
Registered office address: Unit No. 701, 702 & 703, 7th Floor, West Wing, Raheja Towers, 26/27 M G Road, Bangalore -560001, Karnataka
IRDAI Registration number 117 | CIN U66010KA2001PLC028883
For more details on risk factors, please read the sales brochure and the terms and conditions of the policy, carefully before concluding the sale.
Tax benefits are as per the Income Tax Act, 1961, & are subject to amendments made thereto from time to time. Please consult your tax consultant for more details.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) shall be levied as per prevailing tax laws which are subject to change from time to time.
The marks "PNB" and "MetLife" are registered trademarks of Punjab National Bank and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, respectively. PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited is a licensed user of these marks.
Call us Toll-free at 1-800-425-6969, Website: www.pnbmetlife.com, Email: indiaservice@pnbmetlife.co.in or Write to us: 1st Floor, Techniplex -1, Techniplex Complex, Off Veer Savarkar Flyover, Goregaon (West), Mumbai – 400062, Maharashtra.
| Beware of Spurious Phone Calls and Fictitious / Fraudulent Offers! IRDAI or its officials is not involved in activities like selling insurance policies, announcing bonus or investments of premium. Public receiving such phone calls are requested to lodge a police complaint. |
By submitting your details, you agree to PNB MetLife's Privacy Policy and authorize PNB MetLife and/or its authorized service providers to verify the above information and/or contact you to assist you with the policy purchase and/or servicing. You have the option to opt-out of this contact authorization by un-checking the box. The authorization provided by you herein will supersede all earlier authorizations/registrations made by you in this regard.
Get Trusted Advice
Ask khUshi
Hi! I’m khUshi. How can I help you?
