The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced an important change for taxpayers. Forms 15G and 15H, which were earlier used to avoid income tax deductions, are now being replaced by a new Form 121.
From now on, government employees and others who relied on Forms 15G and 15H will need to submit Form 121 instead.
However, if you still submit Form 15G or 15H after April 1, 2026, it won’t be rejected—but filing Form 121 will still be mandatory.
Who Can Fill Form 121?
Form 121 is not meant for everyone. Only certain individuals are eligible to fill it.
This includes:
Salaried individuals below 60 years of age
Business owners living in India
HUFs (Hindu Undivided Families) and other eligible individuals
The key condition is that your total estimated income should be below the taxable limit. In simple terms, this form acts as a declaration that you do not have to pay income tax.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Not everyone can use this new form.
The following are not allowed to fill Form 121:
NRIs (Non-Resident Indians)
Companies and firms
This means the form is strictly for resident individuals and certain entities with non-taxable income.
Unique ID Number Makes It Simpler
One of the biggest updates in Form 121 is the addition of a Unique ID Number (UIN).
Each form will have its own UIN, which will include details like:
Serial number
Financial year
TAN (Tax Deduction Account Number)
This new system makes the process more organized and easier to track. Compared to the old Forms 15G and 15H, Form 121 is designed to be simpler, smarter, and more user-friendly.
