All Central Government Drawing & Disbursing Officers (DDOs) have initiated the process for collecting Income Tax savings proofs for the Financial Year 2025-26. Employees must submit their investment declarations and documented proof by the departmental deadline to avoid heavy TDS deductions in the remaining months.
● Status: Submission Window Open | ● Deadline: 31 Jan 2026 (General)
New Delhi: The window to submit actual proofs of savings (Section 80C, HRA, Home Loan) is now open for Central Government employees. As per CBDT circulars, failure to furnish valid proof by the cut-off date (usually 31st January in most ministries) will compel DDOs to calculate tax based on “New Regime” default rates or without deductions, leading to a significantly lower take-home salary in February and March 2026.
*Updated on: 15 January 2026 | Verified against CBDT TDS Circular 2025-26.
TAX PROOF DEADLINE 2026
(Submit by Jan 31 | Save Your Feb Salary)
⚡ Immediate Action Required
What to do: Submit self-attested copies of LIC receipts, PPF passbook, Tuition Fee receipts, and Rent Agreements to your Establishment Section.
The Deadline: Most DDOs close acceptance by January 31st to process payroll.
⚠️ Risk: If missed, the entire pending tax will be deducted from your February salary, potentially reducing it to near zero.
💰 The Cost of Delay (Example)
Scenario: You declared ₹1.5 Lakh in 80C but failed to submit proof.
Consequence: The DDO will add ₹1.5 Lakh back to your taxable income. Tax liability increases by approx ₹31,200 (at 20% slab + cess). This entire amount will be cut from your Feb/March pay immediately.
Who Can NOT Claim Deductions?
- ❌ New Tax Regime Opt-ins: If you opted for the New Tax Regime, you CANNOT claim Section 80C, HRA, or 80D deductions. Do not submit proofs for these.
- ❌ Cash Payments: Health insurance premiums paid by cash (Section 80D) are rejected. Only digital/cheque payment proofs are valid.
- ❌ Invalid Rent Receipts: HRA claims >₹1 Lakh/year without the Landlord’s PAN will be rejected by the DDO.
Valid Proof Checklist
| Section | Item | Required Document |
|---|---|---|
| 80C | PPF / Sukanya | Passbook copy showing deposits |
| 10(13A) | HRA | Rent Receipts + Revenue Stamp |
| 24(b) | Home Loan Interest | Bank Certificate (Provisional) |
Confused? Unsure which regime saves more tax? Use our Old vs New Tax Regime Calculator 2026 before finalizing your submission.
Source Verified: Guidelines compiled based on CBDT Circular No. 19/2025 regarding deduction of tax at source from salaries and standard DDO practices.
❓ Tax Proof FAQs
Can I switch back to Old Regime now?
Yes. For government employees, the option to switch between Old and New regimes is available at the time of proof submission to the DDO, provided you have not filed ITR with business income.
What if I miss the DDO deadline?
The DDO will deduct excess tax. You can claim this refund only by filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) in July. You cannot stop the immediate salary cut.
🇮🇳 हिंदी में सारांश (Tax Proof Submission)
31 जनवरी तक जमा करें प्रूफ:
अगर आप टैक्स बचाना चाहते हैं, तो LIC, PPF, और HRA रसीदें अपने ऑफिस में तुरंत जमा करें। अगर 31 जनवरी तक जमा नहीं किया, तो फरवरी और मार्च की सैलरी से भारी टैक्स (TDS) काट लिया जाएगा।