The income tax return (ITR) filing season for 2024-25 is starting soon. The last date to file ITR for non-audit cases is 31 July 2025. Many people think filling in the online ITR form is enough. However, to avoid problems like refund delays or income tax notices, it is essential to check two documents before filing your return: Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS).
Let’s understand these forms, why they are essential, and how they help in error-free ITR filing.
Why You Should Not Skip Form 26AS and AIS Before ITR Filing
Even though the income tax portal auto-fills some of your data using information from Form 26AS and AIS, that doesn’t mean you should blindly trust it. These forms give a complete picture of your income and tax details. If any information is missing, wrong, or not updated, your return can be rejected, or worse, you may get a notice from the Income Tax Department.
Minor mismatches can create significant issues. That’s why checking both forms before filing your ITR is a smart step.
What Is Form 26AS and What It Shows
Form 26AS is a tax credit statement. It tells you how much tax has been deducted under your PAN and who has deposited it. This includes:
- Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) by your employer, bank, or others
- Advance tax or self-assessment tax paid by you
- Tax collected at source (TCS)
- Refunds received from previous years
- High-value financial transactions like buying a house or investing large sums
Your total tax credit may be wrong if a TDS entry is missing here. In that case, you should contact the person or company who deducted the TDS and ask them to update it.
What Is AIS and Why It’s Even More Important
AIS or Annual Information Statement is a detailed report that shows all types of financial activities linked to your PAN. It includes:
- Bank interest
- Dividend income
- Share market transactions
- Mutual fund investments
- Rent income
- Foreign remittances
- High-value purchases using credit cards
This report helps you understand what the tax department already knows about your finances. If something is missing or incorrect, you can submit your feedback through the income tax portal.
How Form 26AS and AIS Are Different
Though both reports look similar, there is a big difference:
| Feature | Form 26AS | AIS |
| Purpose | Shows tax credit and refunds | Full financial activity overview |
| What it covers | TDS, TCS, advance tax, refunds | Bank interest, shares, MFs, credit card use |
| Editable? | No direct feedback option | You can submit corrections or feedback |
AIS is an updated and expanded version of Form 26AS. It collects information from banks, mutual fund houses, stock brokers, and other agencies.
Steps to Check Form 26AS and AIS Online
Step 1: Visit the official Income Tax Portal
Go to www.incometax.gov.in
Step 2: Log in using your PAN and password
Step 3: Click on “View Form 26AS” or “AIS” from the dashboard
Step 4: Download and review the details
- In Form 26AS, check TDS, TCS, and refund details
- In AIS, check all income sources, bank interest, capital gains, and high-value transactions
Step 5: Report errors if needed
In AIS, you can raise objections or give feedback if any entry is incorrect or not yours.
Why Ignoring These Forms Can Be Risky?
If you skip these checks and file your ITR directly, you may face:
- ITR rejection or delay in processing
- Stuck refunds if there’s a mismatch in reported income
- Income tax notice for under-reporting income
- Unwanted scrutiny even if the error is genuine
The tax department uses AIS and Form 26AS to verify your return. If your ITR doesn’t match this data, it triggers a red flag.
Start Preparing Early for ITR AY 2025-26
The income tax department has already notified the ITR forms for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26. Though the full filing utility may not be live yet, you can start checking your tax records now.
If you correct the errors in Form 26AS or AIS early, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress during the last-minute filing rush.
ITR Filing Deadline for AY 2025-26
The last date for filing ITR for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) is 31 July 2025 for those who are not required to get their accounts audited. If you delay, you may have to pay late fees and interest, and you may miss your tax refund benefits.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. Readers should consult with a certified tax consultant or CA for specific advice related to income tax filing.
Sources:
Income Tax Department, CBDT, ET Money, Business Today
