ITR Filing Deadline: The deadline of July 31, 2026, is fast approaching. Last-minute errors—such as selecting the wrong ITR form, omitting income details, or making mistakes related to TDS—can lead to tax notices and delays in receiving refunds.

The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR)—July 31, 2026—is drawing near. Taxpayers who have not yet filed their returns have very little time left. Therefore, instead of rushing at the last minute, it is advisable to verify the necessary information and documents before submitting the return.

Errors can occur in tax returns, particularly due to discrepancies in details regarding Form 16, the Annual Information Statement (AIS), Form 26AS, bank interest, capital gains, and tax deductions. Additionally, selecting the correct ITR form and tax regime is crucial. Let us look at five key things you should verify before filing your ITR.

1. Reconcile Form 16 with AIS and Form 26AS
Before filing your ITR, it is essential to reconcile the salary and TDS details provided in Form 16 with the AIS and Form 26AS. Also, verify whether the TDS deducted by your employer is accurately reflected in Form 26AS.

If there are any discrepancies regarding salary, TDS, or other income details, understand the reason for the difference and rectify it—if necessary—before filing the return. This helps avoid issues such as claiming incorrect tax credits or reporting inaccurate income information.

2. Keep all documents related to income and deductions ready
Relying solely on Form 16 when filing an income tax return may not be sufficient; it may also be necessary to include income received from other sources in the return. Therefore, keep essential documents ready in advance, such as bank interest certificates, details of interest earned on savings accounts and fixed deposits, capital gains statements from brokers or mutual funds, rental income details, and home loan interest certificates.
Having all documents readily available minimizes the risk of overlooking taxable income or failing to claim eligible deductions.

3. Choose the right tax regime and check for outstanding tax
Before filing your ITR, it is crucial to decide whether the Old Tax Regime or the New Tax Regime is more beneficial for you. Where both options are available, make your final decision only after comparing the tax liability under both regimes.

Additionally, after accounting for TDS and other tax payments, check if there is any outstanding tax liability. If self-assessment tax is payable, it may be necessary to pay it before filing the return.

4. Select the correct ITR form and verify your personal details
Choosing the wrong ITR form can create difficulties for the taxpayer, and the return could be deemed 'defective'. Therefore, select the appropriate ITR form based on your sources of income and eligibility.

Before submitting your return, thoroughly check your personal details such as PAN, Aadhaar, bank account number, IFSC code, email address, and mobile number. Accurate bank account details are essential for the refund process.

5. Do not forget to e-verify the ITR
Merely submitting the ITR is not the final step of the process; successful verification of the return after filing is also mandatory.

Taxpayers can e-verify their returns using available options such as Aadhaar OTP, net banking, Electronic Verification Code (EVC), or Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). Once this process is complete, the ITR acknowledgment should be downloaded and preserved safely.

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