Taxpayers, including salaried individuals, can begin filing their income tax returns for the previous financial year as the new assessment year 2025–2026 begins. The ITR filing process can be completed online through the Income Tax Department’s official portal.

Tax filing becomes an easy task if you are aware of the tax regulations, the filing procedure and a few other essential elements. For first-time filers, the ITR filing procedure can be challenging. Here are 10 things that first-time taxpayers should consider before submitting their ITR.

Select Correct ITR Form

It is important to select the appropriate ITR form depending on your financial status and source of income. Any discrepancy in the ITR form can lead to rejection. The ITD offers seven different ITR forms: ITR-1 to ITR-7.

ITR-V is an acknowledgement document, not a filing form, that must be printed, signed and submitted to the Income Tax Department following an online ITR filing if it is not e-verified.

Choose Relevant Slab, Tax Regime

Select the correct tax regime slab: Old Regime has standard deduction of Rs 50,000, while New Regime has Rs 75,000. However, the majority of the deductions are only accessible under the previous income tax scheme and not under the current one.

Collect All Your Sources Of Income

When filing your ITR, it is important to report all sources of income. Even if your total income is below the taxable limit, there are certain cases where declaring your income and assets is still required. To simplify the process, ensure you have all the necessary documents ready and maintain accurate records of your income and financial transactions.

Collect All Income-Related Documents

Prepare all required paperwork before submitting your ITR, including Form 16 for PAN and Aadhaar (for salaried individuals), pay slips, bank interest certificates, capital gains statements and rental income records.

Verify Personal Information, Link PAN With Aadhaar

Make sure your PAN is connected to Aadhaar to ensure e-verification in the later stage. Make sure your name, birthdate and gender correctly appear on all official documents to prevent any further issues.

Verify Available Deductions And Exemptions

Know the exemptions and deductions you qualify for before filing ITR form. Several types of deductions might be taken into consideration when submitting the return including deductions under sections 80C, 80D and 80E.

Fill Up The Form Correctly

Taxes-deducted-at-source certificates are found on Forms 16 and 16A. Form 16 is only for income from salaries. There are two parts to it: Part A and Part B. However, Form 16A applies to TDS on sources of income other than salaries.

Keep Track Of ITR Filing Dates

Pay attention to the ITR filing date; the deadline will be July 31 for the fiscal 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26). The deadline for filing an ITR is July 31 of the assessment year for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families who are exempt from audit.

Pay Attention To Enhanced I-T Examining

The Finance Bill 2025 allows the Income Tax Department to look for differences between tax returns from the current year and those from previous years. The goal of this action is to reduce tax evasion and increase tax compliance.

ITR e-verification

Income tax returns must be e-verified within 30 days of filing in order to guarantee the integrity and authenticity of the returns. It acts as a means of confirming that the taxpayer has examined and accepted the data included in the ITR.

You receive an acknowledgement message on your mobile device and email after the verification process is completed. It is important to preserve this proof.

. Read more on Personal Finance by NDTV Profit.Understanding the tax laws, filing procedure and a few other crucial elements will make filing your ITR easier.  Read MorePersonal Finance 

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