Filing ITR for AY 2026-27? Don’t Click ‘Submit’ Until You Complete These Essential Checks:

As the ITR filing deadline, i.e., July 31, 2026, for the Assessment Year 2025-26, is approaching, the taxpayers are in a hurry to quickly file their ITRs and submit. Consequently, nowadays numerous taxpayers are logging into the income tax e-filing portal with one goal in mind: to submit their income tax returns (ITRs) before the due date.

However, tax professionals claim that the real struggle in ITR filing is not filing it before the time runs out but ensuring it is accurately filed. Because there is no sense in filing a tax return on or before the deadline if it is not correct.

The present article includes certain checks a taxpayer must do before clicking on the 'Submit' button. These checks will help taxpayers avoid unnecessary litigation, notices, and penalties. A return submitted in a hurry can drag a taxpayer into more trouble than filing it late.

Waiting Until Last Minute

One of the biggest mistakes most taxpayers make is waiting till the deadline for filing their tax returns. Last-minute filing leaves plenty of time with taxpayers to identify mistakes and correct them.

Before initiating the process of ITR filing, taxpayers are recommended to match the details available in the Annual Information Statement (AIS), Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS), Form 26AS, Form 16, bank statements, and investment records to the income reported in their documents. Even a small discrepancy can attract the attention of the income tax authorities.

Tax experts say spending a little extra time on tax returns before clicking the submit button can save taxpayers from unwanted and unnecessary stress.

Reconciliation of Income Before Filing ITR

"We would recommend not to wait until the last minute to reconcile income with AIS, TIS, Form 26AS, Form 16, bank statements, and investment records before filing. They should ensure they have selected the correct ITR form, correctly reported all sources of income, carefully computed capital gains, and verified their bank account details. Take benefits wherever applicable," says Gaurav Makhijani, Tax Head at Makhijani, Gera & Associates.

Further, he says, "The return should be e-verified promptly after filing, as an unverified return is treated as not filed. If you have to choose old regime, it is important that you file the return on time and get it verified as per law." According to him, simply filing the return and submitting the return will be a waste of time until you e-verify it. Without e-verification, the Income Tax Department treats your return as if it were never furnished.

Minor Mistakes, Major Consequences

Tax notices are not always sent because someone hides income on purpose. Many times, they are issued because taxpayers make simple mistakes, such as not reporting interest earned from savings accounts or fixed deposits, forgetting to mention capital gains, or selecting the wrong ITR form.

Likewise, entering the wrong bank account number can delay your refund, and claiming deductions or exemptions without meeting the conditions may lead to scrutiny. A final check before filing your ITR can help you avoid these common mistakes.