If you’ve ever been confused about whether to fill Form 15G or 15H while withdrawing your EPF money, that confusion has now ended. From April 2026 onwards, there’s just one form to remember, i.e., Form 121. The change may look small on paper, but for many taxpayers, it could make the process far simpler and less error-prone.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced Form 121 as part of a new compliance system under the Income Tax Act, 2025. This new form replaces both Form 15G and Form 15H, which were earlier used based on age.
Until now, individuals below 60 years had to submit Form 15G to avoid TDS, while senior citizens used Form 15H. From the financial year 2026–27 onwards, this distinction disappears. Form 121 will be used by all eligible taxpayers, regardless of age.
The EPFO also confirmed this update on X. It posted, “Form 15G/15H is no longer valid for claiming EPF TDS exemptions. Tax year 2026-27 onwards TDS Exemption is to be claimed by submitting Form 121 (as per the Income Tax Act, 2025).”
Form 121 is a self-declaration. By submitting it, you are stating that your total income for the year is below the taxable limit and that no tax is payable by you.
This form can be used to avoid TDS not just on EPF withdrawals, but also on interest income, dividends and similar earnings where tax is usually deducted at source.
Form 121 is open to resident individuals, including senior citizens. It can also be filed by Hindu Undivided Families and certain other eligible entities like trusts, as long as their total income is within the non-taxable limit.
The key condition remains the same: your total tax liability for the year should be zero.
From April 1, 2026, EPF members will need to submit Form 121 every financial year if they want to avoid TDS on withdrawals beyond the specified limit.
If the form is not submitted, TDS will be deducted automatically on EPF withdrawals that cross the threshold. This makes timely submission important for those who want to avoid unnecessary deductions.
The shift to a single form is meant to make things easier. Earlier, many taxpayers were unsure about which form to use, especially around the age cut-off. With Form 121, that decision is no longer needed.
The new system also adds a layer of tracking, as each submission will generate a unique identification number. In addition, taxpayers may need to provide details of their income tax return filings from the previous two years to confirm eligibility.
Overall, the change is aimed at reducing confusion and making the process more straightforward for millions of EPF subscribers across the country.