AIS vs Form 26AS — What’s the Difference?
Updated June 2026 · VerifiedWhat Is the Annual Information Statement (AIS)?
The AIS is a detailed statement introduced by the Income Tax Department that consolidates financial information reported by third parties. It covers:
- Salary, interest, and dividend income
- Securities and mutual fund transactions (purchase & sale)
- Immovable property transactions
- Foreign remittances and cash deposits
- GST turnover details
- TDS/TCS credits (same as 26AS)
The AIS also has a Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS), which is the processed/derived view used for ITR pre-filling.
What Is Form 26AS?
Form 26AS is the Tax Credit Statement. Historically, it was the primary document to verify TDS deducted by employers, banks, and other deductors. It includes:
- Part A – TDS details
- Part A1 – TDS on sale of immovable property
- Part A2 – TDS on rent
- Part B – Tax collected at source (TCS)
- Part C – Advance tax and self-assessment tax paid
- Part D – Refunds received
What Are the Key Differences Between AIS and Form 26AS?
| Parameter | AIS | Form 26AS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Annual Information Statement | Tax Credit Statement |
| Data Source | Banks, mutual funds, registrars, brokers, employers, etc. | TDS/TCS deductors, tax challans |
| Scope | Comprehensive — covers income, investments, expenditure | Narrow — mainly TDS/TCS credits and tax payments |
| Feedback Mechanism | Yes — taxpayer can submit feedback if data is incorrect | No direct feedback option |
| ITR Pre-fill | Primary source for ITR pre-filling | Supplementary; used mainly for TDS verification |
| Where to Access | Income Tax e-Filing Portal → AIS | Income Tax e-Filing Portal → e-File → View Form 26AS |
| Transaction Details | Shows reported value and modified/derived value | Shows only reported value |
| Format | JSON-based with PDF download | PDF / text format |
How to Access AIS on the Income Tax Portal?
- Log in to incometax.gov.in with your PAN and password.
- Navigate to Services → Annual Information Statement (AIS).
- You will see two tabs: AIS (raw data) and TIS (derived/processed data).
- Click on any category to expand and view individual transactions.
- Download the AIS in PDF or JSON format using the download button.
How to Access Form 26AS?
- Log in to incometax.gov.in.
- Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Form 26AS.
- You will be redirected to the TRACES portal.
- Select the relevant Tax Year and format (HTML or text).
- Click View / Download.
Why Does AIS Supersede Form 26AS?
The AIS provides a 360-degree view of your financial activity, while Form 26AS only covers tax credits. Key reasons AIS is now primary:
- Broader coverage: AIS captures mutual fund purchases, share sales, property deals, and foreign remittances that 26AS does not.
- ITR pre-fill accuracy: The Income Tax Department uses TIS (derived from AIS) to pre-fill ITR forms.
- Mismatch detection: AIS helps identify discrepancies between reported income and filed returns, reducing notices.
- Feedback option: If any information in AIS is incorrect, you can submit feedback directly, which is not possible with 26AS.
How to File Feedback on AIS?
If you notice incorrect or duplicate data in your AIS, follow these steps:
- Open the AIS on the Income Tax portal.
- Click the information category containing the incorrect entry.
- Select the specific transaction and click Optional feedback button.
- Choose the appropriate feedback type:
- Information is correct
- Information is not fully correct (provide the correct amount)
- Information relates to other person/year
- Information is duplicate
- Information is denied
- Submit the feedback. The TIS value will update accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form 26AS still relevant after AIS was introduced?
Yes, but its role is now supplementary. Form 26AS remains the authoritative source for verifying TDS/TCS credits and advance tax payments. However, for income and transaction details, AIS is now the primary reference.
Can I file ITR using only AIS without checking 26AS?
It is not recommended. While AIS covers most data, you should cross-verify TDS credits with Form 26AS to ensure no mismatch. If TDS in 26AS differs from AIS, use the higher figure and report it in your ITR.
What is the difference between AIS and TIS?
AIS shows the raw data as reported by information sources (banks, employers, etc.). TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary) is the processed/derived version after accounting for taxpayer feedback and de-duplication. TIS values are used for ITR pre-filling.
How often is AIS updated?
AIS is updated periodically as reporting entities file their statements. Major updates happen after quarterly TDS return filing deadlines. Taxpayer feedback also triggers updates in the TIS.
What should I do if AIS shows income I did not earn?
Submit feedback on the AIS portal marking the transaction as “Information is denied” or “Information relates to other person/year.” The TIS will reflect the corrected value. Keep supporting documents in case the department raises a query.