How to Register/Login with TDS TRACES

In the field of taxation, staying on top of your Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) obligations is paramount. TRACES (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System), an initiative by the Income Tax Department of India, has become the go-to portal for managing TDS. 

The TDS Traces website is primarily used to view and download key tax documents such as Form 16, Form 16A and Form 26AS. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to access your TDS login on TRACES. So, let’s get started. 

How to register on TRACES as a deductor?

If you want to use online services accessible through TRACES, deductors are required to register on the TDS TRACES website. Below are the key steps you need to follow to do the same: 

Step 1: Visit the official website of TRACES. A pop-up will appear and below it, you will see a Continue button. Click on it.

Step 2: Once you are on the homepage, click on ‘Register as a new user’ to access the option to register as a Deductor, Tax Payer, PAO or deductor whose authorized person is a foreign national. 

Step 3: Select ‘Deductor’ as the user type and fill in all the necessary information.

Step 4: After entering all the details, click on ‘Proceed’. 
Step 5: Then you will receive an activation link on your registered email address along with unique activation codes on your registered email address and mobile number.
Step 6: Click on the activation link. Then enter your user ID and information for activation. 

How to register on TRACES as a taxpayer?
As a taxpayer, you need to follow the below-given key steps:
Step 1: Visit the official website of TRACES. 

Step 2: Click on ‘Register as a new user’. 
Step 3: You need to select ‘Taxpayer’ as a user type. 

Step 4: A taxpayer needs to fill in the following information to complete TRACES registration:

• PAN details
• Date of Birth/ Incorporation
• Name of Tax Payer

Along writh any of the following:

• Details of TDS deducted/collected
• Details of 26QB Statement
• Details of Challan used to deposit tax by the taxpayer

Step 5: Then click on ‘Proceed’. A confirmation screen will appear to validate the submitted details. 

Step 6: Once you confirm the details, the count gets created. Also, an activation code will be sent to the applicant's email ID and mobile number.​

How to log in to the TRACES portal?
When you have registered as a deductor, you need to follow the below steps to log in to the TRACES website:

Step 1: First, you need to enter the official website of TRACES. 
Step 2: Then you need to click on the ‘Login’ option.

Step 3: Enter your User ID, password, and TAN for the deductor. If you are logging in as a Taxpayer/PAO. Click on that option. Fill in the required information. 
Step 4: Then click on ‘Login’. 

What can the TRACES website be used for?

• You can access your consolidated TDS statements. 
• You can easily download TDS certificates. 
• Stay informed about your challan status. 
• Manage defaults and correct TDS returns. 
• Download form 26AS. 
• Make a refund request online. 
• Download the Justification Report and Forms 16 and 16A. 
• OLTAS Challan rectification online.

How to make corrections in TDS/TCS statements on TRACES?

With the correction facility, all types of corrections such as personal information, challan correction, and more can be done. Here are the steps to follow:

• Go to the TRACES website.
• Then click on ‘Request for correction’ under the defaults tab.
• Enter the details like quarter, financial year, form type, and other details. 
• Choose the category as ‘Online’.
• Once the request is submitted, you will get a request number. 
• The request can be seen under ‘Track Correction Request’. Once the status changes to Available, click on Available/In Progress to proceed with corrections. 
• Put in the information of valid KYC. 
• Select ‘Challan correction’ as the category type. 
• Make the required corrections. 
• Click on ‘Submit for Processing’ to submit the correction.
• A 15-digit token number will be generated and mailed to the registered e-mail ID.

Wrapping Up!

So, this was all about accessing the TDS TRaces website for managing TDS. Whether you are a deductor or a taxpayer, you can view all TDS/TCS correction statements without any hassle. But first, you need to register on the website and then only you can log in to the portal. So, get going!