Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) might seem overwhelming, but having the right documents ready makes the process smooth and stress‑free. Before you log into the Income Tax Department’s website or use offline utilities, you should have the list of documents required to file ITR, it helps to gather and verify everything beforehand.
Why Preparation Matters
Filing your ITR without the necessary documents is just like that—it leads to mistakes, mismatches, and even rejection. Secure all documents well before your filing date. Recently, the government issued an extension until 15th September 2025 for non-audit taxpayers to file their income tax returns. This extra time is surely a time for preparation and not for procrastination. Gathering everything at the last minute adds such stress that one might make errors.
Identity Proofs: PAN, Aadhaar, and Linked Bank Account
Before anything else, ensure your PAN and Aadhaar are available and correctly linked. The Income Tax e‑filing system requires these documents—and even rejects returns if they’re mismatched or mismatched with your bank records. Your PAN is the foundation of your tax identity, while Aadhaar ensures you can e‑verify your return quickly. Also, keep your bank account number, IFSC code, and the branch name handy, because your refund (if any) goes directly into this account.
Salary Details: Form 16 and Payslips
If you’re employed, your Form 16 from your employer is the most important document to file online ITR. Employers must issue it by mid‑June every year. Always check it for accuracy and keep copies of documents, if you changed jobs. Payslips can also help clarify allowances, PF contributions, or deductions—especially useful, if your Form 16 has prefilled figures that need correcting.
Non‑Salary Income: Forms 16A, 16B, 16C, and More
Income beyond salary—like interest from bank deposits, rent, or property sales—requires separate certificates:
- Form 16A for TDS on interest and other income (except salaries).
- Form 16B for TDS on sale of property exceeding I-Rs. 50 lakhs.
- Form 16C for tax deducted at source for rent, if the tenant deducts tax (for rent above ₹50,000).
Even if no TDS was deducted, get certificates or statements from banks, tenants, or brokers to substantiate your figures.
Tax Credits: Form 26AS, AIS, and TIS
The Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS)/Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS) are central to verifying tax credits. Cross‑check them against your certificates—mismatches can cause notices or refund failures. Treat them as a tax audit cross‑check before submission.
Investment Proofs and Deduction Documents
If you claim deductions under Sections 80C/80D/80E/80TTA, etc., should have all documents for online ITR filing, so collect receipts for:
- Investments like PPF, ELSS, insurance premium, tuition fees.
- Medical insurance bills or premiums.
- Home loan interest certificates for Section 24(b), and principal repayment details.
- Donation receipts or receipts for other deductions.
Most of these aren’t uploaded with the return, but they must be kept for seven years in case of scrutiny.
Crypto and Foreign Income
If you’ve realized gains from crypto or other digital assets, you must download transaction reports and any TDS details from exchanges. For foreign income/assets, you’ll need relevant bank statements, Form 67 (for foreign tax credit), and asset inventory details for ITR forms 2 and 3 filing. The portal supports these via ITR-2 now with pre-fill, but the details must still be accurate.
Rental Income Documentation
If you claim House Rent Allowance (HRA) or pay rent, keep documents for file ITR in 2025 like rent receipts, rent agreements, and landlord PAN details. The new ITR utility requires granular information like landlord’s name, landlord’s PAN, city of property, and actual rent paid. Having these verified early saves you from rushing in the last weeks.
Bank Details and Refund Map
Even if no refund is due, your bank account details must be validated before filing. Mismatched data leads to failed refunds and additional paperwork. Log in to your profile and pre-validate the account properly.
Final Checklist: Staying Prepared
Here’s a high-level look at what you should have ready following documents to file ITR online at Income tax e- filling portal.
- Correctly linked PAN and Aadhaar
- Form 16 and payslips
- TDS certificates (16A/B/C)
- Bank statements
- Form 26AS, AIS/TIS from portal downloads
- Investment and loan proofs
- Capital gains statements
- Crypto transaction reports (if any)
- Rent agreements and receipts
Always double-check to avoid errors or notices.
Conclusion – Documents required for filing ITR
Filing ITR isn’t just about filling numbers—it’s about ensuring those numbers are accurate and well‑supported. By preparing the right documents in advance for filing ITR in 2024-25 or 2025-26, you reduce errors, minimize scrutiny risk, and ensure faster refunds. The government’s extended deadline is an opportunity—not an excuse—to get organized.
FAQs for documents required to file ITR
1. What are the basic documents required to file ITR in India?
To file your Income Tax Return, you’ll need your PAN, Aadhaar, Form 16, bank statements, and details of any other income (like interest, rent, or capital gains). You should also keep records of deductions like Section 80C, 80D, and donation receipts for accurate tax computation.
2. What is Form 16 and why is it important?
Form 16 is a certificate issued by your employer showing salary paid and TDS deducted. It’s crucial because it gives a detailed breakup of your salary components and tax deducted, which helps in filling your ITR accurately and ensures your TDS is reflected in Form 26AS properly.
3. What is Form 26AS and how do I download it?
Form 26AS is your annual tax statement that shows all tax-related information including TDS, TCS, and advance tax. You can download it from the TRACES website through your net banking or via the Income Tax portal after logging into your account using your PAN credentials.
4. Is the Annual Information Statement (AIS) different from Form 26AS?
Yes. AIS is more detailed than Form 26AS. It includes additional information like stock trades, interest income, foreign remittances, etc. It’s useful for cross-checking all your income sources before filing ITR. It can be downloaded from the Income Tax portal under the AIS section.
5. Do I need bank statements while filing ITR?
Yes, bank statements help reconcile interest income, identify any cash deposits, and check for transactions like dividend credits or investment redemptions. This ensures you don’t miss declaring any taxable income, especially if your bank accounts are earning interest that’s not reflected in Form 16 or 26AS.
6. Should I keep rent receipts or HRA documents ready?
Absolutely. If you’re claiming House Rent Allowance (HRA) under the old regime, rent receipts, rental agreement, and landlord’s PAN (if annual rent exceeds ₹1 lakh) are essential. They act as proof in case the Income Tax Department seeks clarification on the HRA deduction claimed.
7. Are capital gains statements required while filing ITR?
Yes, especially if you’ve sold stocks, mutual funds, or property. You’ll need a capital gains statement from your broker or CAMS/Karvy for mutual funds. These statements break down short-term and long-term gains, which are necessary for calculating and disclosing capital gains tax accurately in your return.
8. What investment proofs should be kept handy for deductions?
You should keep receipts and proof of investments like LIC premiums, PPF, ELSS mutual funds, tuition fees, NSC, NPS, and health insurance. These are needed for deductions under Sections like 80C, 80D, and 80CCD(1B). These documents may be required for audit or tax scrutiny purposes.
9. Is Aadhaar mandatory for filing ITR?
Yes, quoting Aadhaar is mandatory for filing ITR in India. Your PAN must also be linked to your Aadhaar. If not linked, your ITR cannot be processed. Ensure that the date of birth, name, and other details match across PAN and Aadhaar to avoid e-verification issues.
10. Can I file ITR without Form 16?
Yes, even if you don’t have Form 16 (e.g., freelancers or if employer didn’t issue it), you can file ITR using documents like your salary slips, bank statements, and Form 26AS. You must manually compute your salary income and TDS to ensure accuracy in the ITR filing process.
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