How to File Your Income Tax Return (ITR) — A Beginner's Overview
A plain-language beginner's guide to filing your income tax return in India — who must file, documents you need, and the basic step-by-step process.
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Old regime vs new regime — a quick note
India offers two tax regimes: the old regime, which allows many deductions and exemptions (like 80C, HRA, etc.), and the new regime, which has different slab rates with fewer deductions. Which one saves you more depends on your income and how many deductions you actually use. Many people compare both before choosing. The portal lets you evaluate this while filing.
Documents you'll want ready
Gathering documents first makes filing smooth. Keep these handy:
| Document | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| PAN and Aadhaar | Identity and mandatory linking |
| Form 16 (from employer) | Summary of salary and TDS |
| Form 26AS / AIS | Government''s record of your income and tax credits |
| Bank statements | Interest income, refunds |
| Investment proofs | Deductions like 80C, 80D (old regime) |
| Capital gains statements | If you sold shares, mutual funds or property |
What is Form 26AS and AIS?
These are statements maintained by the tax department showing income reported against your PAN and the tax already credited. Cross-checking your return against them helps you avoid mismatches that can trigger notices later.