ITR Filing 2025: As the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing season for Financial Year 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26) is underway, it’s crucial to be well-prepared to avoid delays, errors, and potential tax notices. Keeping these 5 essential documents ready in advance will ensure a smooth and hassle-free ITR filing experience.

📑 1. Form 16 (For Salaried Individuals)

• Issued by your employer, Form 16 summarizes your salary income, deductions, and TDS (Tax Deducted at Source).

• It has two parts:

  • Part A: TDS details

  • Part B: Salary breakdown and deductions under Chapter VI-A (like 80C, 80D, etc.)

• Crucial for pre-filling your ITR and verifying tax deductions.

💳 2. Form 26AS / AIS (Annual Information Statement)

• Form 26AS is a consolidated tax statement available on the Income Tax Portal.

• It contains:

  • TDS/TCS entries

  • Advance tax/self-assessment tax payments

  • High-value financial transactions

• AIS (Annual Information Statement) includes additional info like savings account interest, mutual fund transactions, stock trades, etc.

✅ Cross-check your ITR details with Form 26AS and AIS to avoid mismatches and scrutiny.

🏦 3. Bank Account and Interest Statements

• Collect interest certificates or year-end statements from all your bank accounts.

• Include:

  • Savings account interest (Section 80TTA or 80TTB for senior citizens)

  • FD and RD interest

  • Interest from cooperative banks, post office deposits, etc.

• Even if no TDS was deducted, interest income is taxable and must be declared.

🧾 4. Investment Proofs & Deduction Documents

• Keep documents related to deductions you plan to claim:

  • Section 80C: LIC, PPF, ELSS, school fees, home loan principal

  • Section 80D: Health insurance premiums

  • Section 24(b): Home loan interest certificate

  • 80G: Donation receipts

• These help in reducing taxable income and ensuring compliance in case of a tax audit.

🏠 5. Capital Gains Statements

• If you’ve sold shares, mutual funds, or property, gather:

  • Brokerage statements

  • Capital Gain Tax Reports from platforms like Zerodha, Groww, CAMS, or Karvy

  • Property sale deeds and indexation proofs

• These are essential to calculate short-term or long-term capital gains and claim exemptions (u/s 54, 54F, etc.) if eligible.

✅ Bonus: Other Helpful Documents

• Aadhaar and PAN (linked and updated)

• Foreign income details (if applicable)

• Digital signature (DSC) or Aadhaar-linked mobile number for e-verification

• Rent receipts for HRA claim

• Form 10E if claiming relief under Section 89

🔚 Final Tip

Start your filing process early and review all pre-filled data on the Income Tax portal. Keeping these documents handy can help you file your ITR accurately, quickly, and without stress.

📅 The last date to file ITR for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) without penalty is 31st July 2025.
Don't wait till the last minute!