Pending professional review. This guide is awaiting review by our Chartered Accountants.

Most delays in filing an income-tax return come from missing information, not complex law. Gathering these documents before your meeting saves time and reduces the chance of a mismatch notice later.

Identity and access

  • PAN and Aadhaar (linked).
  • Login access to the Income Tax e-Filing portal, or permission for your CA to act as your representative.
  • Bank account details for the refund, with the account pre-validated on the portal.

Income statements

  • Salary: Form 16 from each employer during the year, and salary slips if you changed jobs.
  • Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS from the e-Filing portal — they show the income and tax credits already reported against your PAN. Check them for errors.
  • Interest: bank and post-office interest certificates.
  • Capital gains: broker and mutual-fund capital-gains statements; purchase and sale documents for property.
  • House property: rent received, municipal taxes paid, and the home-loan interest certificate.
  • Business or profession: books of account, bank statements and GST returns.

Deductions and payments

  • Proof of investments and payments you intend to claim (whether these can be claimed depends on the tax regime you choose).
  • Advance tax and self-assessment tax challans.
  • Last year's return and any notices or orders received.

A note on the new law

The Income-tax Act, 2025 has replaced the Income-tax Act, 1961 from 1 April 2026, and uses the term "tax year". The documents above remain the starting point, but form names and numbers may differ — we will tell you exactly what applies to your case.

Use our Income Tax calculator for an estimate, then book a consultation to file.

This article is general information, not professional advice, and reflects the position as understood on the date shown. Laws and rates change — please consult a qualified professional before acting.