Download Form 121 — What It Really Is and How to Use It Correctly
Many HR groups ask for "PF Form 121 in Word format" believing it's an indemnity bond required for large PF withdrawals. Based on official Income Tax Department sources, this is incorrect — here's what it really is, and what the free download actually contains.
Form 121 is issued by the Income Tax Department, not EPFO — officially "Declaration under section 393(6) for receipt of certain incomes without deduction of tax" (Rule 211, Income-tax Rules 2026), under the new Income-tax Act, 2025, effective Tax Year 2026-27 (from 1 April 2026). It replaces Forms 15G and 15H with a single, unified no-TDS declaration for individuals of any age and HUFs whose estimated total income for the year will be nil.
What the Downloadable File Contains
The Word template reproduces the official Form 121 structure in full — Part A (completed by the declarant), capturing name, PAN, status, residential status, age-60+ declaration, income details including "accumulated balance due to an employee participating in a recognized provident fund" (the category relevant to PF withdrawal), estimated total income, and ITR filing history for the previous two years. Part B (completed by the payer/deductor — e.g., EPFO) captures TAN/PAN, the declarant's details, the UIN allotted, and payer verification.
No Stamp Paper, No Notarization
Unlike an indemnity bond, Form 121 is a straightforward self-declaration filed with the payer — no stamp paper, no notarization, no witnesses required. Each declaration is tracked with a 26-character UIN allotted by the payer and reported to the tax department quarterly, per CBDT Notification No. 01/CPC(TDS)/2026 dated 28 March 2026.
If What You Actually Need Is a PF Indemnity Bond
If your situation is a death claim with no valid nomination on file — the scenario where EPFO genuinely requires an indemnity bond — that document has no official numbered EPFO form and isn't standardised nationally. It's executed on non-judicial stamp paper as prescribed by the relevant state's Stamp Act, typically notarised, and obtained through the EPFO Regional Office in consultation with a legal professional.
When to Use Form 121
Use it (from 1 April 2026 onward) when withdrawing PF before completing 5 years of service, the withdrawal is ₹50,000 or more (the TDS trigger threshold, unchanged since 1 June 2016), and your estimated total income for the year will be nil — filing it correctly avoids TDS on your withdrawal.
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Find verified Chartered Accountants and PF Claim Consultants on BusinessBazar — businessbazar.in/services/hr-consultant/ahmedabad
Form 121 is issued by the Income Tax Department, not EPFO — officially "Declaration under section 393(6) for receipt of certain incomes without deduction of tax" (Rule 211, Income-tax Rules 2026), under the new Income-tax Act, 2025, effective Tax Year 2026-27 (from 1 April 2026). It replaces Forms 15G and 15H with a single, unified no-TDS declaration for individuals of any age and HUFs whose estimated total income for the year will be nil.
What the Downloadable File Contains
The Word template reproduces the official Form 121 structure in full — Part A (completed by the declarant), capturing name, PAN, status, residential status, age-60+ declaration, income details including "accumulated balance due to an employee participating in a recognized provident fund" (the category relevant to PF withdrawal), estimated total income, and ITR filing history for the previous two years. Part B (completed by the payer/deductor — e.g., EPFO) captures TAN/PAN, the declarant's details, the UIN allotted, and payer verification.
No Stamp Paper, No Notarization
Unlike an indemnity bond, Form 121 is a straightforward self-declaration filed with the payer — no stamp paper, no notarization, no witnesses required. Each declaration is tracked with a 26-character UIN allotted by the payer and reported to the tax department quarterly, per CBDT Notification No. 01/CPC(TDS)/2026 dated 28 March 2026.
If What You Actually Need Is a PF Indemnity Bond
If your situation is a death claim with no valid nomination on file — the scenario where EPFO genuinely requires an indemnity bond — that document has no official numbered EPFO form and isn't standardised nationally. It's executed on non-judicial stamp paper as prescribed by the relevant state's Stamp Act, typically notarised, and obtained through the EPFO Regional Office in consultation with a legal professional.
When to Use Form 121
Use it (from 1 April 2026 onward) when withdrawing PF before completing 5 years of service, the withdrawal is ₹50,000 or more (the TDS trigger threshold, unchanged since 1 June 2016), and your estimated total income for the year will be nil — filing it correctly avoids TDS on your withdrawal.
Need Expert Help?
Find verified Chartered Accountants and PF Claim Consultants on BusinessBazar — businessbazar.in/services/hr-consultant/ahmedabad
Download Form 121 (Income Tax Declaration) in Word format — free, ready to fill and submit.
Need Help with PF Withdrawal or TDS Documentation?
This downloadable template is provided for reference and convenience only. It reproduces the official form structure as researched from publicly available sources; verify the current, official version directly on the Income Tax Department portal (incometaxindia.gov.in) before submission, and confirm the form is being used for its correct legal purpose. BusinessBazar accepts no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this document.
Need a verified PF Consultant? Find one at businessbazar.in/services/hr-consultant/ahmedabad
Need a verified PF Consultant? Find one at businessbazar.in/services/hr-consultant/ahmedabad