Can I file my return without Form 16?
Yes. If Form 16 is not available, salary slips, bank statements and Form 26AS can be used to prepare the return. We ask the employer for Form 16 where possible, but the due date should not be missed for want of it.
How do I download AIS and Form 26AS?
Log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal with your PAN, go to 'Annual Information Statement' under Services for AIS, and to 'View Form 26AS' under e-File. We can guide you through the download.
Do I need to attach documents with the return?
No. Documents are not attached while filing, but you must keep them to answer a notice. We keep a file of your documents for the year and the return summary for you.
What if my bank account is not pre-validated?
A refund is credited only to a pre-validated bank account linked to your PAN. If it is not validated, the refund fails. You can validate it on the portal in a few minutes. We check this before filing.
What documents do NRIs need in addition?
Passport pages with entry and exit stamps, NRO and NRE statements, a Tax Residency Certificate and Form 10F, and details of any property sale. See
ITR filing for NRIs for the full list.
How long should I keep tax documents?
Keep them for at least six years from the end of the assessment year, since a notice can generally be issued within that period and, in some reassessment cases, up to ten years. Digital copies are enough if they are complete.
What is the last date to file an income tax return?
For individuals and HUFs who do not need an audit, the usual due date is 31 July after the financial year ends. Cases needing a tax audit normally get 31 October, and companies with transfer pricing reports 30 November. The government sometimes extends dates, so we confirm the notified date for your year before we start.
What happens if I miss the ITR due date?
You can still file a belated return under section 139(4), generally until 31 December of the assessment year, but with a late fee under section 234F (₹5,000, or ₹1,000 if total income is up to ₹5 lakh) and interest under 234A. Most losses cannot be carried forward in a belated return, which can cost more than the fee itself.
Do I need to e-verify my return after filing?
Yes. A return is treated as filed only after e-verification, which must be completed within 30 days of filing. You can verify with Aadhaar OTP, net banking, a pre-validated bank account or a demat account. We guide you through it and confirm the processed status on the portal afterwards.
