ITR Filing 2025: Key Things to Check Before You File ITR

As the AY 2025-26 has begun, Individuals are preparing to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the Financial Year 2024-25. The online portal of the Income Tax Department is now open for ITR submissions. Individuals should prepare early and review carefully to avoid any issues while filing the ITR. Here is a list of things that you must review before filing an ITR.

1. Select the Appropriate ITR Form

The very first step while filing ITR is to select the right ITR Form based on your income profile. The form you select depends on several factors, including salary, business income, capital gains or foreign assets. If you opt for the wrong Form, you can face delays during your submission.

2. Check Deductions And Exemptions

Go through the list of eligible deductions and exemptions, such as 80C, which allows claiming deductions under certain investments. Section 80D allows deductions on your medical insurance premiums, and Section 80E allows for a deduction on the interest paid on the education loan availed for higher studies. Section 24(b) allows individuals to claim interest paid for a home loan.

3. Get your Income Documents Ready and organised

Individuals should keep their necessary documents ready in one place to avoid delays and mistakes. These documents include Form 16 (which you can get from your employer), Form 16A (for TDS on non-salary income), Form 26AS (tax credit statement), Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS), Annual Information Statement (AIS), pay slips, interest certificates from banks or post offices, capital gains reports from mutual funds or stock trades and rental income records, if applicable.

4. Review your personal details

Individuals should cross-verify their personal details, including their name and date of birth in their PAN, Aadhaar and bank documents. Additionally, make sure that your PAN is linked with your Aadhar. The PAN-Aadhar link is necessary for e-verification and refund processing.

5. Stay Updated About the Filing Deadlines

For individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) who aren’t required to undergo a tax audit, the last date to file the Income Tax Return (ITR) for Assessment Year 2025–26 is July 31, 2025. Missing this deadline could result in late filing fees, loss of the ability to carry forward certain losses, and delays in receiving any eligible refunds.

6. Submit and E-Verify Your ITR Without Delay

Filing your Income Tax Return is only half the job, you must e-verify it within 30 days to complete the process. You can e-verify using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) linked to your bank or demat account, or by sending a signed ITR-V form by mail to the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) in Bengaluru. Once your ITR is successfully verified, you’ll receive a confirmation via SMS and email. Keep this as official proof of your ITR submission and verification.

7. Get Familiar With the Tax Regimes

There are two tax regimes- the old regime and the new regime. The old tax regime allows taxpayers to claim various deductions under Sections 80C, 80D, etc. However, individuals opting for the new tax regime cannot avail the benefit of these sections. The new tax regime gives lower slab rates with fewer deductions. Therefore, taxpayers should select the tax regime that benefits them most. You can also seek consultation from an expert.

8. Cross-Verify Advance Tax Payments and TDS

Before filing your ITR, make sure to cross-check your tax details using Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS). These documents give you a complete overview of the TDS deducted by your employer or other party, the advance tax or self-assessment tax you’ve paid and the information of high-value transactions.