Mistakes and official sources
Common income tax mistakes in India and how to fix them (2026-27)
The income tax mistakes that cost most: late filing, wrong regime, missed AIS income, job-change shortfalls, challan errors and fake claims, with fixes.
ITR Filing Checklist for Individuals
Gather documents, reconcile AIS, choose the regime and file before 31 July without missing a step.
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Before you start
Documents
Reconcile
Choose and compute
File
How to use it. Work through the groups in order and tick as you go. Ticks are saved only in this browser. The groups follow the order in which problems usually surface: login and bank validation first, because a refund cannot be paid without them; documents next; then reconciliation with the Annual Information Statement, which is where most notices for individuals start.
Which year. In 2026 you are filing for FY 2025-26 (assessment year 2026-27) under the Income-tax Act, 1961. The first return under the Income-tax Act, 2025 is for tax year 2026-27 and is due in 2027. The checklist works for both. Only the section numbers and form names change, so read the labels on the portal.
Worked example. Suppose your AIS shows ₹42,000 of savings and deposit interest but your own records show ₹30,000. Before filing, download the interest certificates and find the gap. Often it is a deposit you forgot or a joint account. Report the correct figure, and if an AIS entry is wrong, submit feedback on it through the portal.
Limits. The checklist does not cover business accounts, tax audit or foreign tax credit. See the ITR documents guide and the due dates guide.
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