EPF Withdrawal New Rules 2026: How to Withdraw Your PF Money Online in 3 Days (Zero Tax Penalty)

February 25, 2026February 25, 2026 by Avinash

Millions of salaried employees contribute a portion of their hard-earned money to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) every month. It acts as a financial safety net for retirement. However, life is unpredictable, and emergencies arise. Whether it is a medical emergency, a wedding in the family, or buying a dream home, accessing your PF money quickly becomes a top priority.

In this comprehensive guide, the Govt Yojna Wala news team breaks down the highly anticipated EPF Withdrawal New Rules 2026. We will show you exactly how to withdraw your PF money online, how to check your balance, the tax implications (TDS), and the secret to getting your claim approved in just 3 to 7 working days.

1. What are the New EPF Withdrawal Rules in 2026?

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) continuously updates its portal to make it more user-friendly. Under the new guidelines, the focus is on paperless, faceless, and faster claim settlements. Here are the major changes you must know:

• Auto-Settlement for Medical Claims: Claims filed under medical emergencies (Para 68J) up to a certain limit are now processed via an auto-settlement IT system. This means your money can hit your bank account in as little as 3 days.
• No TDS on Medical Withdrawals: Withdrawing money for critical illness treatment does not attract Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), regardless of your years of service.
• Mandatory KYC: Your Universal Account Number (UAN) must be seeded with your Aadhaar, PAN, and active Bank Account. If your Aadhaar is not linked, you cannot file an online claim.
• Tax Limit Enhancement: The threshold for TDS deduction has been modified in recent budgets to provide relief to lower-income employees. Always submit Form 15G/15H if your total income is below the taxable limit.

2. Valid Reasons for Partial PF Withdrawal (Form 31)

You do not have to wait until retirement to use your PF funds. The EPFO allows “partial withdrawals” or “advances” for specific life events. Here is a detailed breakdown of when you can withdraw and how much you can take out:

Reason for Withdrawal	Minimum Service Required	Maximum Withdrawal Limit
Medical Emergency (Self or Family)	No minimum service	6 months’ basic wage + DA OR employee share with interest (whichever is lower)
Marriage (Self, Sibling, or Child)	7 Years	Up to 50% of the employee’s share
Education (Post-matriculation of Child)	7 Years	Up to 50% of the employee’s share
Purchase of Land / House	5 Years	Up to 24 months (for land) or 36 months (for house) of basic wage + DA
Unemployment (Over 1 Month)	No minimum service	Up to 75% of total fund (Remaining 25% after 2 months of unemployment)

3. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Withdraw EPF Online

Gone are the days when you had to stand in long queues at the HR department or the EPFO office. Follow this simple guide to file your claim from the comfort of your home using your smartphone or laptop.

Step 1: Visit the official EPFO Member e-Sewa portal (unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in).

Step 2: Log in using your UAN, Password, and the Captcha code.

Step 3: Once logged in, navigate to the top menu and click on ‘Online Services’. From the dropdown, select ‘Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D)’.

Step 4: A new screen will display your member details. Enter the last 4 digits of your linked bank account number and click on ‘Verify’.

Step 5: Click on ‘Proceed for Online Claim’.

Step 6: Under the ‘I Want To Apply For’ tab, select the relevant form:

• Choose Form 31 for a partial withdrawal (advance).
• Choose Form 19 for final PF settlement (only if you have quit your job).
• Choose Form 10C for pension withdrawal.

Step 7: If you select Form 31, choose the “Purpose for which advance is required” from the drop-down menu. Enter the amount you need and your complete address.

Step 8: Upload a clear, scanned copy of your cheque book or passbook. Make sure your name, bank account number, and IFSC code are clearly visible.

Step 9: Check the declaration box and click on ‘Get Aadhaar OTP’. Enter the OTP received on your mobile number.

Step 10: Submit the claim. You will receive a reference number (Claim ID) via SMS to track your status.

4. 4 Easy Ways to Check Your EPF Balance

It is crucial to know how much money you have in your account before applying for a withdrawal. The government provides multiple easy methods to check your balance:

1. Via Umang App: Download the UMANG app on your smartphone. Search for ‘EPFO’, select ‘Employee Centric Services’, click on ‘View Passbook’, log in with your UAN and OTP, and check your balance.
2. Via SMS: If your UAN is activated, send an SMS to 7738299899 from your registered mobile number. The format is: EPFOHO UAN ENG (ENG is for English, change to HIN for Hindi).
3. Via Missed Call: Give a missed call to 9966044425 from your registered mobile number. The call will disconnect automatically, and you will receive an SMS with your balance details.
4. Via EPFO Portal: Visit the EPFO passbook portal, log in with your UAN and password, and view or download your detailed PDF passbook.

5. TDS and Tax Rules on PF Withdrawal

Nobody wants to lose their savings to taxes. Understanding the TDS rules can save you thousands of rupees.

When is PF Withdrawal Taxable?

If you withdraw your EPF balance before completing 5 years of continuous service, the amount is taxable. If the withdrawal amount is more than ₹50,000, TDS will be deducted at 10% (if PAN is submitted). If PAN is not submitted, TDS is deducted at the maximum marginal rate (which is very high).

How to Avoid TDS?

If your total income for the financial year (including the PF withdrawal amount) falls below the taxable limit, you can submit Form 15G (or Form 15H for senior citizens) while filing your online claim. This tells the government not to deduct TDS.

Note: If you have completed 5 years of continuous service, your PF withdrawal is completely tax-free!

6. Top Reasons for EPF Claim Rejection (And How to Fix Them)

It is frustrating when you need money urgently, and the EPFO rejects your claim. At Govt Yojna Wala, we have analyzed the most common reasons for rejection:

• Name Mismatch: Your name on the EPFO portal must exactly match your Aadhaar card and Bank Account. Fix: Submit a Joint Declaration form to your employer to correct your name in the EPFO database.
• Illegible Cheque/Passbook: If the uploaded photo of your cheque is blurry, the claim will be rejected. Fix: Always scan the cheque properly. Ensure your name is printed on the cheque by the bank.
• Date of Joining/Exit Missing: For final settlements, your date of exit must be marked by your previous employer. Fix: You can now mark your own Date of Exit on the member portal if 2 months have passed since you left the job.
• Incomplete KYC: Fix: Ensure your Aadhaar, PAN, and Bank details are showing as “Verified” in the KYC section of the portal.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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