When you sit down to file your income tax return, the interest your bank paid you over the year is one of the most commonly missed and most commonly mis-reported numbers. The single document that fixes this is your bank interest certificate — a year-end statement that consolidates every rupee of interest credited to your savings account, fixed deposits and recurring deposits, along with any tax deducted at source (TDS).
This guide explains exactly what the interest certificate is, why it matters for your ITR, how it differs from Form 16A, how to download it through net banking, your mobile app or the branch, and how to use it to reconcile your interest income against your AIS and Form 26AS for the 2026 filing season.
What is a bank interest certificate?
A bank interest certificate (sometimes called an interest statement or interest paid certificate) is a document your bank issues that shows the total interest credited to you during a financial year across your accounts and deposits. A typical certificate lists interest earned on your savings account, on each fixed deposit, and on any recurring deposit, plus the TDS the bank deducted, if any.
It is account-holder specific and financial-year specific. For the assessment year 2026-27, you need the certificate for financial year 2025-26 (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026). The figures on it become the backbone of the Income from Other Sources section of your return.
Why you actually need it for ITR
Interest income is fully reportable, whether or not any TDS was deducted. Many taxpayers assume that if the bank did not cut TDS, there is nothing to declare — that is incorrect. The interest certificate gives you the exact, bank-confirmed numbers so you can:
- Report interest income correctly under Income from Other Sources.
- Claim the right deduction — Section 80TTA for savings interest (up to ₹10,000) or Section 80TTB for senior citizens (up to ₹50,000 on savings and deposit interest).
- Reconcile against the pre-filled figures in your AIS and Form 26AS, and spot mismatches before the department does.
- Claim credit for any TDS the bank deducted so you are not taxed twice on the same income.
Interest certificate vs Form 16A: not the same thing
This is the most common point of confusion. The interest certificate and Form 16A are two different documents that serve different purposes, and depending on your situation you may need both.
The interest certificate shows the income you earned. Form 16A is a TDS certificate — it is proof of the tax the bank deducted and deposited against your PAN. If your interest crossed the TDS threshold, the bank deducts tax and issues Form 16A quarterly; the certificate confirms how much was cut and deposited. But Form 16A alone does not tell you your total interest income, because banks may not deduct TDS on every rupee.
| Feature | Interest Certificate | Form 16A |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | Total interest income credited in the year | TDS deducted and deposited against your PAN |
| Primary purpose | Report interest income in ITR | Claim credit for tax already deducted |
| Issued when | After the financial year ends (April onwards) | Quarterly, after TDS is deposited |
| Issued only if TDS deducted? | No — issued regardless of TDS | Yes — only if TDS was deducted |
| Covers savings interest? | Yes | Usually no (savings interest rarely has TDS) |
| Source for ITR field | Income from Other Sources | TDS credit / tax paid schedule |
In short: use the interest certificate to figure out how much you earned, and Form 16A to confirm how much tax was already deducted. The two should tie together when you reconcile.
When is the certificate available?
Because the certificate sums up a full financial year, banks generate it after the year ends. For FY 2025-26, expect it to be available from April 2026 onwards. Some banks publish it within the first week of April; others take a couple of weeks. If you are filing early and the certificate is not yet live, wait for it rather than estimating — your interest income should match the bank's official figure.
How to download your interest certificate
Almost every major bank now lets you self-serve the certificate online. The three usual channels are net banking, the mobile app, and the branch. The exact menu label varies by bank, but the document is the same.
Via net banking
Log in to your bank's net banking portal and look under the section for statements, tax or deposits. Common menu paths include:
- Accounts / Statements → look for Interest Certificate or Tax Certificate.
- Deposits → for FD/RD interest, the certificate sometimes sits under deposit services.
- e-Services / Service Requests → an explicit Interest/Tax Certificate request option.
Select the financial year (e.g. 2025-26), and download the PDF. The certificate usually consolidates savings, FD and RD interest in one statement, but on some banks you may need to download savings and deposit certificates separately.
Via the mobile banking app
Most bank apps mirror the net banking feature. Look in the menu for Statements, Tax Centre, Certificates or a search bar where you can type "interest certificate". Choose the financial year and download or email yourself the PDF. This is often the fastest route for retail customers.
At the branch
If you do not use net banking, visit your home branch with your account details and ask for an interest certificate for the relevant financial year. Carry an identity document. The branch can print and stamp it, though processing may take a day or two during peak filing season.
| Channel | Where to look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Net banking | Statements / Tax / Deposits menu | Detailed multi-account download |
| Mobile app | Tax Centre / Certificates / Statements | Quick self-service on the go |
| Branch | Service desk request | Non-digital customers, stamped copy |
Using the certificate to reconcile with AIS and Form 26AS
The certificate is most useful when you cross-check it against the data the income tax department already holds. Banks report interest paid and TDS to the department, and this flows into your Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS.
Form 26AS is primarily your tax-credit statement — it shows TDS deducted against your PAN. AIS is broader and includes the interest income figures the bank reported. When you file, compare three numbers for each bank: the interest on your certificate, the interest shown in AIS, and the TDS in both your certificate and Form 26AS.
Step-by-step reconciliation
- Add up the interest from your certificate across all banks — savings, FD and RD.
- Open AIS and check the interest income reported under each bank; it should broadly match your certificate totals.
- Match TDS on the certificate against Form 26AS so your tax credit is fully captured.
- If AIS shows interest that your certificate misses, you may have an old or joint account you overlooked — chase that certificate too.
- Report the higher, correct figure and, where AIS is wrong, submit feedback in the AIS portal.
For a deeper walkthrough of how these three statements differ, see our guide on Form 26AS vs AIS vs TIS. If most of your interest is from deposits, our explainer on whether FD interest is taxable and the TDS rules covers the thresholds and how credit works.
Savings vs FD interest: how each is treated
Both savings and fixed deposit interest are taxable, but the treatment differs.
Savings account interest
Savings interest is added to Income from Other Sources, but you can claim a deduction under Section 80TTA up to ₹10,000 (for individuals below 60). Senior citizens instead use Section 80TTB, which allows up to ₹50,000 on savings and deposit interest combined. Banks generally do not deduct TDS on savings interest, so it is easy to forget — the certificate ensures you do not.
Fixed and recurring deposit interest
FD and RD interest is fully taxable at your slab rate, with no 80TTA benefit (though senior citizens get the 80TTB cushion). Banks deduct TDS once your interest from that bank crosses the annual threshold, and issue Form 16A for it. Even if no TDS was cut, you must still declare the full interest. You can explore deposit options and rates on our banking hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the interest certificate the same as Form 16A?
No. The interest certificate shows the interest income you earned, while Form 16A is a TDS certificate proving the tax the bank deducted. You may need both — the certificate to report income, Form 16A to claim TDS credit.
Do I need to report interest if no TDS was deducted?
Yes. Interest income is fully taxable and must be reported under Income from Other Sources whether or not the bank deducted any TDS. The absence of TDS does not exempt the income.
When will my interest certificate for FY 2025-26 be available?
It is generated after the financial year closes, so expect it from April 2026 onwards. The exact date varies by bank, but it is usually available within the first few weeks of April.
Can senior citizens claim a bigger deduction on interest?
Yes. Senior citizens use Section 80TTB, which allows a deduction of up to ₹50,000 on savings and deposit interest combined, compared with the ₹10,000 savings-only limit under Section 80TTA for others.
What if my AIS shows more interest than my certificate?
A mismatch usually means an account or deposit you missed, such as a joint or dormant account. Download the certificate for that account too. If AIS is genuinely wrong, report the correct figure and submit feedback through the AIS portal.
Can I get the certificate without net banking?
Yes. You can request it at your home branch by providing your account details and an identity document. The branch can print and stamp a copy, though it may take a day or two during peak filing season.
Your bank interest certificate is a small download that prevents big filing errors. Pull it for every account once the year ends, reconcile it against your AIS and Form 26AS, claim the right 80TTA or 80TTB deduction, and report the full interest — even where no TDS was cut. A few minutes of housekeeping in April keeps your ITR accurate and dispute-free.