# EPFO replaces TDS exemption forms 15G, 15H with Form 121 2026-10-09T15:26:09+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced changes to rules for TDS exemption on PF withdrawals. From the 2026-27 tax year, eligible members must use Form 121 instead of the earlier Form 15G or Form 15H to request that no TDS be deducted on EPF withdrawals. Form 15G was used by eligible individuals under 60 years, and Form 15H by senior citizens, both are now invalid for EPF withdrawals. Form 121 is available under the Income Tax Act, 2025, which came into effect on 1 April 2026. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and those whose estimated income attracts tax cannot use this facility. A valid PAN is mandatory, and EPFO has instructed regional offices to issue a unique identification number for Form 121 and enable online submission and e-signing. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Form 121 is a procedural replacement, not a tax waiver, it only allows a claim that no TDS be deducted, provided the member's estimated total income for the year is below the taxable threshold. The change affects millions of PF members who withdraw annually, and those submitting old forms risk losing the exemption. EPFO has not yet specified a transition period or whether older forms already submitted will be honoured, leaving some uncertainty for members planning withdrawals. The next step is for EPFO to roll out the online Form 121 system and confirm processing timelines. ## Coverage - tv9hindi.com Leads with the rule change and explains eligibility neutrally, without advocacy or criticism This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: EPFO, Form 121, Income-tax Act, 2025, PF withdrawal, TDS Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/epfo-replaces-tds-exemption-forms-15g-15h-with-form-121/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/epfo-replaces-tds-exemption-forms-15g-15h-with-form-121/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/