ITR Filing Checklist for Salaried Employees (FY 2025-26)

Category: Income Tax

Published by: Atul Kapur & Associates

With the July 31 deadline for ITR filing approaching, salaried employees often find themselves scrambling for documents at the last minute. Filing your Income Tax Return correctly and on time not only keeps you compliant but also helps you claim refunds faster and avoid penalties under Section 234F.

Here is a comprehensive checklist our team at Atul Kapur & Associates recommends every salaried taxpayer follow before clicking Submit.

1. Income Documents

•       Form 16 (Part A and Part B) from your employer

•       Salary slips for April 2025 to March 2026

•       Form 16A for TDS on interest, rent, or other income

•       Interest certificate from your bank for savings and FD accounts

•       Dividend income statements from mutual funds or shares

•       Rental income details if you own a let-out property

2. Investment & Deduction Proofs

•       Section 80C investments: ELSS, PPF, LIC premium receipts, EPF contribution, home loan principal

•       Section 80D: Health insurance premium receipts for self, spouse, children, and parents

•       Section 80E: Education loan interest certificate

•       Section 24(b): Home loan interest certificate from your bank

•       HRA exemption documents: rent receipts and landlord PAN (if rent exceeds Rs. 1 lakh/year)

•       NPS contribution under Section 80CCD(1B) for additional Rs. 50,000 deduction

3. Tax Credit Documents

•       Form 26AS: Download from the Income Tax portal (it shows all TDS deducted against your PAN)

•       Annual Information Statement (AIS): Cross-check with Form 26AS to catch any discrepancies

•       Advance tax payment challans if you paid advance tax during the year

4. Bank and Personal Details

•       Your pre-validated bank account details for receiving refunds

•       Aadhaar linked and verified with your PAN

•       Mobile number linked to Aadhaar for e-verification of the return

Which ITR Form Should You Use?

Most salaried employees with income from one employer and no business income should file ITR-1 (Sahaj). However, if you have more than one house property, capital gains, or foreign income, you will need ITR-2. Our team can help you determine the correct form.

Key Dates to Remember

•       July 31, 2026: Last date for filing ITR without penalty (for non-audit cases)

•       December 31, 2026: Belated return filing deadline

•       December 31, 2026: Last date to revise a filed return

A penalty of Rs. 5,000 (reduced to Rs. 1,000 if total income is below Rs. 5 lakh) is levied under Section 234F for late filing. Beyond penalties, late filing can delay your refund by several months.

Need help filing your ITR? Contact Atul Kapur & Associates at office@akaca.org or call 011-4134-5501. We handle ITR filing for individuals, HUFs, and businesses across India.