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Income Tax Filing 2025: It is easier to file income tax returns today than before. The Income Tax Department has taken several steps in the last few years to simplify the process of filing returns. Which CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) has made some changes in the existing income tax return forms (ITR forms) as well as the related forms required to file tax returns. Due to these changes, filing returns has now become very easy.

If you go to the e-filing website of the Income Tax Department to file ITR, you will find that a lot of details have already been filled in your Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS). Now you will ask that when all the data is already on the portal, then why do you need to check Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS) again before filing your income tax return?

Do this to avoid delay in tax refund or notice.

Both these forms must be double-checked while filing the return. So that you can ensure that you have not missed any information, or have not avoided claiming any tax deduction. If you file the return directly without looking at both these forms, then it is possible that your tax refund may get stuck due to a mismatch of information or you may get a notice from the tax department, which will increase your trouble.

What information is given in Form 26AS?

Form 26AS is a tax credit statement that tells you how much tax has been deposited against your PAN. It contains information about TDS, self-assessment tax, advance tax, and refund deducted from your salary or other income. It even contains details of some big expenses or investments - such as buying property or investing in mutual funds.

If there is any mistake in it, such as any TDS entry that has not been made, then you can contact the person or organization that has deducted the tax to get it corrected.

What information is given in AIS?

Annual Information Statement (AIS) is a document in which the information about the income, expenses, and transactions of the entire financial year of the taxpayer is given in one place. In November 2021, the Income Tax Department started this system so that taxpayers can easily file tax returns. AIS is a slightly upgraded version of Form 26AS. It includes information like interest received from the bank, dividend income, purchase and sale of mutual funds, share trading, rent, money sent abroad, and large credit card expenses.

This is your financial profile in a way, by looking at it you can understand which income details the tax department has. If you see something that you have not entered, you can go to the portal and give your feedback and request to correct those entries.

What to check before filing ITR?

Before filing ITR, go through both Form 26AS and AIS and cross-check that all your income, tax deductions, interest, etc. are correctly entered in it. This step will help you avoid filing incorrect returns, receiving notices from the Income Tax Department, or delays in refund.

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