Reviewed 2 October 2026. An income tax return reports income for a specific financial year. AY 2026-27 relates to FY 2025-26. The correct form and filing procedure depend on your income and circumstances; a generic salary guide does not cover every taxpayer.
Gather and reconcile records
- Form 16 and relevant withholding certificates.
- AIS/TIS and Form 26AS information.
- Bank interest, investment and capital-gain records.
- Eligible deduction receipts and loan statements.
- Relevant foreign income or asset records where applicable.
Pre-filled information is a starting point. Compare it with your actual records and investigate omissions or mismatches. TDS withheld is not the same thing as final tax liability.
Choose the form from official eligibility
Do not assume every salaried person uses ITR-1. Capital gains, foreign assets, directorship, residency, business income and other conditions can change the form. For example, ITR-2 is intended for eligible individuals and HUFs without business or professional income, subject to the official rules. Use the portal’s current eligibility guidance and AY-specific utility.
Review the return before submission
- Confirm assessment year and personal details.
- Enter income under the correct heads and reconcile tax credits.
- Check regime choice and valid deductions.
- Review the calculation, including special-rate income where relevant.
- Resolve payable tax and required challan details using official instructions.
- Review the complete return and retain the acknowledgement.
The site’s salary tax calculator excludes special-rate income and is not a substitute for the official return calculation.
Complete verification
Submitting data alone does not finish the process. The Income Tax Department states a 30-day limit for e-verification or submission of ITR-V from the date of filing. Use an available official verification method and confirm the resulting status. Verification beyond the permitted period can affect the filing date and consequences.
Check the deadline that applies to you
Deadlines and extensions depend on taxpayer category and current notifications. We do not present an old universal date as today’s deadline. On 2 October 2026, first check whether your applicable original filing window remains open and whether a belated, revised or other return route is appropriate. Do not assume those routes have identical consequences or eligibility.
Keep the acknowledgement, computation and supporting records. Track processing and notices through the official portal; never share account passwords or OTPs with an unsolicited caller.
Refund failed or not received?
After verification, check the return’s processing and refund status before deciding what to do. Our income-tax refund status and reissue guide explains pending processing, failed transfers, bank validation and the records to keep for follow-up.
Sources and further reading
- Income Tax Department: current return forms and utilities
- Income Tax Department: filing ITR-2
- Income Tax Department: return verification deadline
- Income Tax Department: AY 2026-27 individual guidance
Useful tools and related guides
Educational information: The Invest Mate does not provide personalised financial advice. Examples are illustrations, not promised returns. Check applicable rules and product documents before acting.
