Contents Covered
- Introduction
- Decide: DIY Filing or Professional Help?
- Start Collecting These Essential Documents
- Be Ready to Verify Form 26AS, AIS & TIS — From June Onward
- Organize Your Tax-Saving Declarations
- Track Advance Tax or Self-Assessment Tax Paid
- Conclusion
Introduction:
The Income Tax Return (ITR) filing window for FY 2024–25 is set to open soon — just 13 daysaway. Whether you’re a salaried individual, freelancer, or business owner, preparing in advance can save time, reduce stress, and help you avoid last-minute errors. Here’s a practical guide on what you can start doing now to make your ITR filing smooth and hassle-free.
Decide: DIY Filing or Professional Help?
Before you dive into collecting documents or logging into
the portal, it’s important to decide:
- Will you file your ITR yourself using the Income Tax Portal or software?
- Or will you take the help of a Chartered Accountant or tax professional?
Regardless of your choice, keeping your documents ready in advance will ensure timely and error-free filing.
Start Collecting These Essential Documents
Begin gathering all relevant financial documents. Here’s a checklist:
- Form 16 (for salaried individuals)
- Bank account statements (for interest income, high-value transactions, etc.)
- Interest certificates from banks and post offices
- Capital gains statements from brokers (equity, mutual funds, property sales)
- Summary of income details (salary, business, rental, other sources)
- Rent receipts (for HRA claim)
- Investment proofs (LIC, PPF, ELSS, etc. under 80C)
- Medical insurance premium receipts (for 80D deduction)
- Donations receipts (for 80G)
- Home loan interest certificate
- Education loan interest certificates (80E)
- Any other deductions/claims documents
Be Ready to Verify Form 26AS, AIS & TIS — From
June Onward
Although these reports can only be fully verified after May 31st, you should be aware that:
- Form 26AS shows your tax deducted at source (TDS) and advance tax
- AIS (Annual Information Statement) & TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary) reflect reported financial transactions
👉 Tip: From next month, check these on the income tax portal to ensure all income and TDS details are correctly captured.
Organize Your Tax-Saving Declarations
Make sure all your tax-saving proofs are in one place:
- Section 80C investments
- Section 80D (medical insurance)
- Section 80G (donations) Education loan interest, NPS contributions, etc.
This helps ensure you don’t miss out on any eligible deductions.
Track Advance Tax or Self-Assessment Tax Paid
If you’ve paid any advance tax or self-assessment tax during the year:
- Keep the challans (payment receipts) ready
- These can be downloaded or verified from the Income Tax Portal
This will be helpful while reconciling your final tax liability and ensuring smooth return filing.
Conclusion:
The ITR filing season is just around the corner, and being prepared makes all the difference. Whether you’re filing yourself or hiring a professional, having your documents in order now will help you avoid last-minute rush and maximize your refund (if any).
✅ Stay tuned! In June, we’ll share a step-by-step guide to filing your ITR for FY 2024– 25.
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