Filing Your Income Tax Return? Don’t Miss These 5 Crucial Steps Before Submitting ITR

Income Tax Return Filing 2025: The deadline to file your ITR for FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26) is September 15, 2025. But before you rush to file your return, take a moment to go through these 5 essential steps. Missing any of them could lead to errors, delay in refunds, or even a tax notice.

Filing your ITR correctly not only saves you from compliance issues but also ensures that your refund is processed quickly. Here’s what you need to do before hitting that “Submit” button.

1. Check Form 26AS and AIS

Before filling out your income tax return, always verify your Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS) on the Income Tax portal.

These documents summarize all income linked to your PAN, along with the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS). Make sure the entries match the actual income you’ve earned and the tax deducted by:

• Employers (via Form 16)

• Banks (on savings interest or fixed deposits)

• Mutual fund dividends or other sources

❗ Why this matters: A mismatch between reported and actual income may lead to a tax notice, additional demand, or rejection of refund claims.

2. Gather All Necessary Documents and Proofs

To ensure your return is accurate, collect all relevant documents:

• Form 16 (for salaried individuals)

• Bank interest certificates

• Capital gains statements from mutual funds or shares

• Rent receipts for HRA claims

• Investment proofs under Sections 80C, 80D, 80G etc.

• Home loan interest certificate, if applicable

Having these on hand helps you:

• Enter correct values

• Claim all eligible deductions

• Avoid scrutiny from the IT department

3. Select the Right ITR Form

Choosing the wrong ITR form can result in your return being rejected or flagged for scrutiny. Here's a quick guide:

• ITR-1 (Sahaj): For salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh and no capital gains

• ITR-2: For those with capital gains, multiple income sources, or foreign assets

• ITR-3: For individuals with business/professional income

✅ You can check form eligibility on the e-filing portal or use online tools available on the site.

4. Calculate and Pay Self-Assessment Tax (If Needed)

Make sure your total tax liability is covered before filing. Compare:

• Total tax due vs.

• TDS + Advance tax paid

If there’s a shortfall, pay the balance tax as self-assessment tax online via:

• Net banking

• UPI

• Debit cards

🧾 Once paid, update the Challan details in your return. Failure to pay due tax will make your return invalid.

5. Update Personal Details and Don’t Forget E-Verification

Ensure that your:

• Mobile number

• Email ID

• Bank account (for refund credit)

• Aadhaar

are updated on the portal. Also, pre-validate your bank account to avoid refund failures.

✅ After submitting your ITR, e-verification is mandatory within 30 days, or your return will not be processed. You can do it using:

• Aadhaar OTP

• Net banking

• Demat account

• ATM-based verification

Final Thoughts

While it’s tempting to file your ITR quickly and get over with it, hasty filing can lead to mistakes that are hard to undo. Following these 5 steps ensures:

• Accurate return

• Complete deduction claims

• Timely refund

• Zero stress during tax season

Make the process smooth, simple, and error-free by taking a few extra minutes to verify everything.