ITR Filing 2026: The method of filing ITR will change from April 1st; these major changes will be implemented..

Filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) every year is a cumbersome task for most people. Selecting the right form, filling in the correct information, and the fear of making mistakes have been common concerns for taxpayers. However, this experience could change significantly by 2026. The new Income Tax Act, 2025, which will come into effect from April 1, 2026, aims to make tax filing easier, clearer, and more technology-driven. This change could bring significant relief, especially for salaried taxpayers.

What is the new Income Tax Law?
The Income Tax Act, 2025, has been introduced to modernize India's direct tax system. It will replace the nearly 60-year-old 1961 Act. The aim of this new law is not to change tax rates, but to improve the tax filing experience.

The new law simplifies and clarifies the language of tax regulations. The rules have been reorganized in a way that even ordinary taxpayers can easily understand them. The government aims to reduce tax-related confusion, minimize unnecessary disputes, and make it easier for people to file taxes and comply with the rules. In other words, the tax rules will be such that a common person can understand what they need to do without the help of a chartered accountant.

What will change for taxpayers?
The biggest change in the new law will be in its structure and language. Sections and tax exemptions that were previously scattered across different places will now be consolidated and presented clearly in one place. This will eliminate the need for frequent cross-referencing.

Tax experts believe that this will reduce the chances of misinterpreting the rules and could lead to a decrease in tax-related disputes and legal cases in the future.

Pre-filled returns will be strengthened.
From Assessment Year 2026-27, those filing ITRs will benefit greatly from pre-filled data. Over the past few years, the Income Tax Department has been collecting data from companies, banks, mutual funds, and insurance companies.

Now, information such as salary, TDS, and bank interest will be pre-filled in the ITR form. This will eliminate the need for taxpayers to repeatedly enter information and reduce the chances of errors. In many cases, filing an ITR might become as simple as "verify and submit."

While the new system will be easier, taxpayers shouldn't become complacent. Checking and verifying the pre-filled data will still be crucial.

If you have additional income, such as profits from shares or property, rental income, or money deposited in different banks, it will be essential to carefully review this information. Any discrepancies or errors in the data could still lead to a tax notice.

Smart Scrutiny through Technology
The new law will also change the method of scrutiny. Not every return will be manually examined. Technology will be used to select only those cases where discrepancies or unusual patterns are detected in the data.
This is expected to provide relief to honest taxpayers from unnecessary inquiries.

Fewer Chapters, Simpler Language, Faster E-filing
The new Income Tax Act will come with fewer chapters and clearer language. This will make both e-filing and processing faster. Manual disclosures will also be reduced for salaried taxpayers.

What will change for taxpayers in 2026?
For individuals with straightforward salary income, filing an ITR could become significantly easier from 2026. Clearer laws, improved pre-filled data, and a technology-based system will enhance the tax experience.

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