The deadline to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) has been extended to September 15, 2025, giving taxpayers ample time to prepare and submit their returns. Many have already filed their ITRs, while others are gearing up to do so. To ensure a smooth filing process, it’s essential to have the following 8 documents ready. Details are as follows.
1. Form 16
For salaried individuals, Form 16 is a crucial document that provides a comprehensive breakdown of their salary and tax deductions.
2. TDS Certificates
TDS certificates are issued by the deductor (the person who is deducting tax) to the deductee (the person from whose payment the tax is deducted). TDS certificates can be of two types: Form 16 (for TDS on Salary) and Form 16A (for TDS on non-salary payments).
As per Section 203 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, you are entitled to receive a certificate whenever a tax is deducted at source on your income. This certificate must be provided to you by the deductor and must display the amount of TDS.
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3. Capital Gain Statement
A capital gains statement is a financial document that summarises profits or losses from selling assets like stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, calculating the difference between the purchase and selling prices to determine taxable gains or losses for tax filing purposes.
4. AIS and Form 26AS
The Annual Information Statement (AIS) is a comprehensive view of information for a taxpayer displayed in Form 26AS. Taxpayers can provide feedback on the information displayed in AIS. AIS shows both reported value and modified value (i.e., value after considering taxpayer feedback) under each section (i.e., TDS, SFT, Other information).
5. Foreign Income and Unlisted Shares
If you hold shares in a foreign company or have a foreign bank account, you are required to disclose this information in your ITR. Therefore, it’s essential to have the relevant documents readily available.
6. Interest certificate and bank statement
Collect interest certificates for deposits in banks or post offices and download your bank statements to report interest income in your ITR.
7. Documents of tax-saving investments and expenses
If you are opting for the old tax regime, keep documents for investments and expenses under Sections 80C, 80D, etc., to claim deductions.
8. PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account details
Ensure your PAN is linked with Aadhaar and keep details of all bank accounts ready, as these will be required during ITR filing.
Also Read: ITR Filing 2025: Top 5 income tax myths and misconceptions debunked