What to do if you think that your TDS on fixed deposit is exempted?

If a fixed deposit holder finds that his total interest income from fixed deposits won't fall within the overall taxable limits, he should immediately inform this to the concerned bank and ask them not to deduct the TDS from his fixed deposit account. This can be done by submitting a form as per Income tax regulations. Individuals, claiming such exemption have to submit form 15H, companies form 15AA, association of companies form 15AA and trusts must provide details in form 15AA. The form 15AA can be obtained from the assessing officer of the income tax department. In case there is an amount deducted by way of TDS on the interest earned on you fixed deposit, prior to your submission of application of exemption with the required documents, it won't be refunded. However, in all such cases banks will issue TDS certificates which can be used by the fixed deposit holders, while filing his income tax. If you open a fresh fixed deposit account with the bank and want exemption you will have to submit details in a new form. The older one submitted for an existing fixed deposits won't suffice.

For any TDS deducted by the bank, it will issue a Form 16A which can be used to substantiate the facts, while filing the income tax returns.

Remember, that any exemptions claimed don't help you save tax, since in your final Income Tax Return you would end up paying the tax with possibly interest penalties.