Last Updated: June 2026 — FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) | Last Date: 31 July 2026
Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) online is straightforward if you follow the right steps and avoid common mistakes.
Step-by-Step: How to File ITR Online
- Collect Form 16, Form 26AS, AIS, bank statements, and investment proofs
- Login to incometax.gov.in with PAN as User ID
- Go to e-File ? Income Tax Returns ? File Income Tax Return
- Select AY 2026-27 and Online filing mode
- Choose the correct ITR form (ITR-1 for most salaried, ITR-2 for capital gains/NRI)
- Select your Tax Regime (New is default)
- Verify pre-filled data against Form 16 carefully
- Add any income not pre-filled (FD interest, rental income, etc.)
- Claim all eligible deductions (if Old Regime)
- Pay any remaining tax via Challan 280
- Preview, submit, and e-Verify within 30 days
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not checking Form 26AS — Always cross-verify TDS credits with your Form 26AS and AIS before filing
- Wrong ITR form — Using ITR-1 when you have capital gains requires ITR-2
- Missing interest income — Bank FD interest, savings account interest must be declared
- Not e-verifying — Filing without e-verification within 30 days = return not filed
- Wrong bank account — Ensure your bank account is pre-validated for refund credit
- Not claiming all deductions — Many taxpayers miss 80D, 80TTA, or NPS 80CCD(1B)
- PAN-Aadhaar not linked — Returns cannot be processed without PAN-Aadhaar linking