Hi sssm,
Say, I am applying in Sept 2006.
Then the correct 12 month period for consideration in HSMP application is September 2005 to August 2006.
In this case, as you have rightly mentioned, the Form-16/Tax return for year 2005 - 2006 will never match the "gross earnings" figure of the salary slips. Therefore, you should get a letter from your employer certifying your salary payouts from September 2005 - August 2006. This letter from the employer will be accepted as 2nd independent evidence of past earnings (payslips being the 1st evidence). Request your employer to issue you a letter clearly mentioning the following (for each month of the 12 month period) - Gross earning, deductions - tax, PF etc., and net earnings. This way you'll have 2 independent evidences where both the "gross" and the "net" earnings will match.
Please remember that though Tax Returns are the "preferred" evidence of past earnings BUT if they do not cover the correct 12 month period, it has no use as "an independent evidence". You can only use them as "supplementary evidence" to support your claims.
Similarly, bank statements can be used as "backup evidence" for any payslips to show net salary credits. Bank statements should not be used as independent evidence unless your "net salary" itself is more than the minimum requirement.
All this is clearly metioned in the internal caseworker guidance notes, and my suggestion as above is based on that.
One more thing is do bank statements downloaded from net need attestation from bank officials?
Most banks in India should have no problems issuing you a duplicate statement for an additional fee. Suggest you opt for this. But yes, if it is a web printout and if it is acceptable for HSMP, you definitely need to get it signed and stamped from the bank.
regards