Form 15H —
Stop TDS on Senior-Citizen Interest
A self-declaration under Section 197A that lets a resident senior citizen (60+) stop TDS on FD and interest income when the tax on total income is nil — who is eligible, the new Rs 1 lakh threshold and how to submit it.
Form 15H is a self-declaration a resident senior citizen (aged 60 or above) gives to a bank, post office or other interest payer so that no TDS is deducted on interest income — provided the tax on their estimated total income for the year is nil. It is filed under Section 197A(1C) of the Income-tax Act. It is valid for one financial year and must be re-submitted each April, to each payer, before the first interest credit. Anyone below 60 uses Form 15G instead.
From 1 April 2025, the TDS threshold on interest for senior citizens under Section 194A was raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 a year (per bank / co-operative bank / post office). Below this, the bank does not deduct TDS at all — so many senior citizens no longer even need Form 15H on smaller deposits.
Eligibility to Submit Form 15H
Form 15H has fewer conditions than Form 15G — the only real test is that your final tax liability for the year is nil. You must meet all of the following:
- Resident individual (NRIs cannot use Form 15H)
- Aged 60 years or above at any time in the financial year
- Estimated tax on total income for the year is nil
- Valid PAN quoted (without PAN, TDS is 20% and 15H is invalid)
- Old tax regime — the declaration is meant for a nil-tax position
Unlike Form 15G, Form 15H has no separate cap on interest income. A senior citizen can have large interest income and still file 15H — as long as, after deductions (80TTB, 80C, 80D) and the Section 87A rebate, the final tax works out to nil. If tax is actually payable, do not file 15H — a false declaration is prosecutable under Section 277.
Form 15H vs Form 15G
Both forms stop TDS on interest, but they are for different people. Use 15H if you are 60 or older; use 15G if you are below 60 (or an eligible HUF).
Form 15H — senior citizens
- For resident individuals aged 60+
- Only condition: tax on total income is nil
- No separate cap on interest income
- Filed under Section 197A(1C)
- Super senior citizens (80+) also use 15H
Form 15G — below 60
- For resident individuals below 60 & HUFs
- Tax on total income must be nil, AND
- Total interest income must be below the basic exemption limit
- Filed under Section 197A(1) / (1A)
- Not for companies, firms or NRIs
| Feature | Form 15H | Form 15G |
|---|---|---|
| Who can submit | Senior citizens 60+ | Individuals below 60 & HUFs |
| Tax on total income | Must be Nil | Must be Nil |
| Cap on interest income | No cap | Must be ≤ basic exemption |
| Section | 197A(1C) | 197A(1) / (1A) |
| NRIs / companies | No | No |
Both are self-declarations for a nil-tax position — a wrong declaration can attract penalty and prosecution.
TDS Threshold on Interest — FY 2025-26
A bank or post office deducts TDS under Section 194A only once interest crosses the threshold below. If your interest is under the limit, no TDS is deducted even without Form 15H.
| Depositor | Threshold (per payer/year) | TDS Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Senior citizen (60+) | Rs 1,00,000 | 10% |
| General (below 60) | Rs 50,000 | 10% |
| Without valid PAN (any age) | Nil (no threshold) | 20% |
Thresholds effective 1 April 2025 (Budget 2025). Applies to bank / co-operative bank / post office deposits under Section 194A.
Form 15H only prevents the bank from deducting TDS. If your income later turns out to be taxable, you must still pay the tax plus interest under Sections 234B / 234C when filing your ITR. And if TDS was already deducted before you filed 15H, you claim it back as a refund by filing your return.
Submit Form 15H separately to each payer of interest — every bank, post office, NBFC or company that pays you interest. It is also accepted by EPFO to avoid TDS on PF withdrawals for eligible senior citizens.
How to Fill and Submit Form 15H
- Valid PAN card
- Estimate of total income for the financial year
- FD / deposit account numbers with the payer
- Details of any other Form 15H filed this year
- Net-banking access (most banks accept 15H online)
- Resubmit fresh in April every year
Not sure if your senior-citizen income is truly nil-tax?
Get ITR Filing Help →Form 15H — Frequently Asked Questions
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