Filing your income tax return doesn’t have to be a stressful, last-minute scramble. If you’re a salaried employee, the process is more straightforward than you think — provided you start early, gather the right documents, and follow the steps in order. Here’s your no-nonsense guide to filing ITR for FY 2025-26.
Documents You’ll Need
Form 16 — Your employer’s TDS certificate. Most important document. Shows total salary paid and TDS deducted.
Form 26AS and AIS — Download from the Income Tax portal. Shows all tax credits associated with your PAN.
Bank statements / Interest certificates — Savings account interest is taxable. For FDs, get the interest certificate from your bank.
Investment proofs — For deductions under 80C, 80D, etc.
Home loan statement — If claiming deductions for principal and/or interest.
| Note for FY 2025-26 filers: This ITR will be filed under the Income Tax Act 1961, not the New Income Tax Act 2026. The new Act governs FY 2026-27 onwards. The process and forms remain as you know them. |
Step-by-Step: Filing ITR on the Portal
Step 1: Log in to incometax.gov.in
Log in using your PAN (your user ID), password, and OTP sent to your registered mobile. If first time, register using your PAN.
Step 2: Download Your Pre-Filled Data
Go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return. Select Assessment Year 2026-27. Choose Online mode.
Step 3: Select the Right ITR Form
For most salaried employees with salary income and FD interest: ITR-1 (Sahaj). If you have capital gains or more than one house property, you need ITR-2.
Step 4: Choose Your Tax Regime
Decide whether to file under old regime (with deductions) or new regime (lower rates, fewer deductions). The portal shows a comparison to help.
Step 5: Verify Pre-Filled Details and Add Missing Income
Review salary details against Form 16. Add income not pre-filled: savings bank interest, FD interest, freelance income if any.
Step 6: Enter Deductions (Old Regime Only)
If in old regime, enter 80C investments, 80D premiums, HRA exemption, and other eligible deductions.
Step 7: Compute Tax and Check for Refund / Demand
Portal computes automatically. If TDS exceeded actual liability, you get a refund. If less, pay self-assessment tax before filing.
Step 8: Submit and e-Verify
Submit the return, then e-verify immediately. Use Aadhaar OTP (fastest). Without e-verification, your return is considered not filed.
Common Mistakes That Cause Notices
Not reporting savings account interest — the bank reports this, and if it’s missing from your return, you may get a notice.
Not reconciling Form 26AS — if TDS credit in 26AS doesn’t match what you’re claiming, the return gets flagged.
Forgetting to e-verify — the most common reason returns go unprocessed.
ITR Filing Deadline for FY 2025-26
The last date to file without penalty is 31st July 2026 for most salaried individuals. Belated returns can be filed till 31st December 2026 with a penalty of up to ₹5,000. Early filers get faster refunds.
| Start Now, Stress Less The ITR filing process for FY 2025-26 is smoother than ever with pre-filled data and the improved portal. The biggest mistake taxpayers make is waiting until July. Start gathering documents now, cross-check your Form 26AS, and you’ll be done in under an hour when the forms open. |
