Key idea
Filing an income tax return is mostly confirming numbers the system already has. For a salaried person it is far simpler than it sounds.
An Income Tax Return (ITR) is your annual declaration of income and tax to the government. For a salaried person with a single employer, most of the data is already pre-filled from your Form 16 and AIS. Filing is largely a review, not a reconstruction.
What you usually need
| Have ready | Why |
|---|---|
| Form 16 | Salary and TDS |
| Form 26AS / AIS | Cross-check tax credited |
| Bank interest, other income | To report fully |
| Investment / deduction proofs | If using the old regime |
The rhythm of it
Log in to the tax portal, pick the right ITR form (usually the simplest for salary income), check the pre-filled figures against your own documents, add anything missing, confirm your regime, and submit. Verify the return afterwards, or it is treated as not filed. The usual deadline is 31 July for most individuals, though it can be extended.
Filing on time matters even when no tax is due: it is how you claim a refund of excess TDS, and it keeps your record clean for loans and visas. Figures for FY 2026-27. The Budget can change them each year, so confirm the current year.
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