Form 15G / 15H Eligibility Checker
Find out instantly whether you can submit Form 15G or 15H to stop the bank from deducting TDS on your FD, RD and other interest income.
Condition-by-condition check
| Condition tested | Your position | Result |
|---|
Not sure? Have a CA check & file it for you
We confirm your eligibility, fill Form 15G/15H correctly and help you claim back any TDS already deducted.
Disclaimer: Indicative check for resident individuals / HUFs. "Tax nil" is approximated from the 87A rebate threshold and does not account for capital gains or special-rate income. A false declaration attracts prosecution under Section 277. Confirm with a professional before submitting.
Form 15G vs Form 15H — what's the difference
Both are self-declaration forms you give to a bank, post office or other deductor so they do not deduct TDS on your interest income. The only difference is who can use them: Form 15H is for senior citizens, Form 15G for everyone else who qualifies.
| Who | Resident individuals below 60, and HUFs |
| Age | Below 60 years |
| Core condition | Estimated total tax for the year is nil |
| Extra condition | Total interest income must not exceed the basic exemption limit (₹2.5L) |
| Governing section | Section 197A(1) & 197A(1A) |
| Who | Resident senior citizens |
| Age | 60 years or above |
| Core condition | Estimated total tax for the year is nil |
| Extra condition | None — no interest-income ceiling applies |
| Governing section | Section 197A(1C) |
How the check works
The checker mirrors the actual conditions on the forms. Age decides which form applies; the nil-tax test decides whether you qualify; and for Form 15G there is one more ceiling to clear.
Age → form
60 or above routes you to Form 15H. Below 60 (or a HUF) routes you to Form 15G.
Is tax nil?
We approximate nil tax by checking taxable income against the 87A rebate threshold. If tax is not nil, neither form can be filed.
15G ceiling
For Form 15G only, total interest income must also stay within the basic exemption limit (₹2.5L). 15H has no such ceiling.
Verdict
Both conditions met → eligible for that form. Otherwise the panel tells you exactly which condition failed.
Key terms explained
The nil-tax condition
The single most important rule: your estimated total tax for the whole year must be nil after the Section 87A rebate. If you will owe even a rupee of tax, you cannot legally submit Form 15G or 15H.
Residents only
These forms are for resident individuals and HUFs. Non-residents (NRIs) cannot submit Form 15G or 15H to avoid TDS on their Indian interest income.
Submit at each deductor
The declaration is per deductor. If you have deposits in three banks, you must submit a separate form at each bank branch — and ideally at the start of every financial year.
PAN is mandatory
You must quote a valid PAN on the form. Without PAN the declaration is invalid and the deductor will still deduct TDS (often at the higher 20% rate).
False declaration → Section 277
Filing Form 15G/15H when you are not eligible is a false declaration. It can attract prosecution under Section 277, with fines and imprisonment depending on the tax sought to be evaded.
15G interest ceiling
Form 15G carries an extra test 15H does not: the aggregate interest income must not exceed the basic exemption limit. Cross ₹2.5L in interest and Form 15G is off the table even if your tax is nil.
What is the difference between Form 15G and 15H?
Form 15H is for resident individuals aged 60 and above. Form 15G is for other resident individuals below 60, HUFs and trusts. Both are declarations that your income is below the taxable limit so no TDS should be deducted.
Who is eligible to submit Form 15G?
A resident individual below 60 whose estimated total income for the year is nil after deductions and rebate, and whose total interest income does not exceed the basic exemption limit. Both conditions must be met.
Is the condition the same for Form 15H?
No — for a senior citizen only the first condition applies. If the estimated tax on total income is nil, Form 15H can be given even if interest income exceeds the basic exemption limit.
Can an NRI submit Form 15G or 15H?
No. Both forms are for residents only. A non-resident whose income is below the limit must instead apply for a lower or nil deduction certificate under section 197.
What if I submit the form wrongly?
A false declaration attracts prosecution under section 277. Practically, the interest still appears in your AIS and 26AS, so an incorrect declaration simply defers the tax and adds interest under sections 234B and 234C.
Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.