Don’t File Your ITR Blindly — Do These 2 Checks First
Filing your income tax return (ITR) for AY 2025–26? Here’s an ITR filing warning every taxpayer must know: if you skip two crucial checks before submitting your return, you might end up with no refund—or worse, a notice from the Income Tax Department.
Let’s break it down clearly to help you avoid common mistakes and secure your rightful refund.
Check #1: Match Your Form 26AS and AIS
Why it matters:
Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS) are two critical tools the Income Tax Department uses to verify your income details. Any mismatch = red flag.
Here’s what to do:
- Log in to incometax.gov.in
- Download both Form 26AS and AIS
- Cross-check these with:
- Salary income
- TDS entries
- Bank interest
- Mutual fund redemptions
- Property transactions
Legal Reference:
Rule 114-I mandates the release of AIS. CBDT encourages voluntary compliance based on AIS/26AS data. Errors can lead to scrutiny under Section 143(1)(a) or notice under Section 139(9).
Check #2: Choose Correct Tax Regime (Old vs New)
Since FY 2023–24, the default regime is the new regime under Section 115BAC(1A). If you’re salaried and want to switch to the old regime (with deductions like HRA, 80C), you must opt out before filing ITR.
What to do:
- Evaluate both regimes using the I-T Department’s tax calculator
- Declare your regime choice correctly in your ITR
- Salaried individuals can switch every year, but business owners must file Form 10-IEA to switch from new to old
Legal Reference:
Budget 2023 amended Section 115BAC, and Notification No. 43/2023 dated 21.06.2023 prescribed Form 10-IEA for regime selection.
What Happens If You Skip These Checks?
| Mistake | Likely Consequence |
|---|---|
| Mismatch in 26AS/AIS | Refund delay or income mismatch notice (Sec 143(1)) |
| Wrong tax regime | Refund loss due to incorrect tax computation |
| No Form 10-IEA (for business income) | ITR treated as defective or invalid |
Expert View: “Don’t Rush ITR Filing”
Tax Expert Insight:
“Many taxpayers focus only on uploading the form. But pre-filing checks like AIS matching and regime selection are where 90% of refund issues arise. Filing fast is good—but filing right is smarter.”
– Ramesh D., Tax Advisor, Chennai
Quick Recap: Checklist Before Filing Your ITR
- Download Form 26AS and AIS
- Match all TDS, income, and investment data
- Choose correct tax regime
- File Form 10-IEA if switching regimes (business/professional income)
- Use pre-filled data carefully — review before submitting
FAQs
Q1. What if my AIS shows wrong data?
You can submit feedback on the AIS portal. The correction may take time, but it’s better than ignoring it.
Q2. Is AIS mandatory for filing ITR?
Not mandatory to attach, but crucial for accuracy. Department uses it to auto-verify.
Q3. How often can salaried taxpayers switch tax regimes?
Every year. But business owners can switch only once if they opt out of the new regime.
Summary
ITR Filing Warning: Skipping AIS-26AS check and tax regime selection can lead to refund denial or income tax notices. Always verify your income data and pick the right regime before submitting your ITR.