Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) for the first time — or just want to get it done without the stress? For AY 2026-27 (income earned in FY 2025-26), the deadline for most salaried individuals is 31 July 2026. This step-by-step guide walks you through exactly what to do.
Do you need to file an ITR?
You must file if your gross total income for the year is above the basic exemption limit (₹4 lakh under the new regime, ₹2.5 lakh under the old, for FY 2025-26). You should also file — even below that — if you want a TDS refund, have foreign assets, deposited large sums, or paid high electricity/travel bills. When in doubt, file; it’s free and keeps your record clean.
Documents you’ll need
- PAN and Aadhaar (linked)
- Form 16 from your employer
- Form 26AS and AIS (tax credit and annual information statements from the income tax portal)
- Bank interest certificates and statements
- Investment proofs — 80C (PF, ELSS, LIC), 80D (health insurance), home loan interest, etc.
Which ITR form do you use?
Most salaried people use ITR-1 (Sahaj) — for salary, one house property, and other income, with total income up to ₹50 lakh. If you have capital gains (from stocks or mutual funds), more than one property, or income above ₹50 lakh, you’ll use ITR-2. Business or professional income uses ITR-3 or ITR-4.
How to file your ITR — step by step
- Pick your tax regime. Decide whether the old or new regime is cheaper for you first — our Old vs New Tax Regime Calculator shows which saves you more.
- Log in at incometax.gov.in using your PAN and password.
- Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return, select AY 2026-27 and the right ITR form.
- Check the pre-filled data against your Form 16, 26AS and AIS. Correct anything that doesn’t match.
- Add deductions (80C, 80D, etc.) if you’re on the old regime, and confirm your tax payable or refund.
- Submit and e-verify within 30 days — the quickest way is an Aadhaar OTP. Your return isn’t valid until it’s verified.
Don’t miss the deadline
File late and you face a penalty of up to ₹5,000 (₹1,000 if your income is below ₹5 lakh) under Section 234F, plus interest on any unpaid tax — and you can’t carry forward certain losses. Filing on time is simply cheaper. While you’re at it, check what your real take-home salary works out to and plan next year’s tax with a HRA calculation if you rent.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to file ITR for AY 2026-27?
For most individual taxpayers who don’t need an audit, the due date is 31 July 2026. Always check the income tax portal for any official extension.
Can I file my ITR myself for free?
Yes. Filing on the government portal (incometax.gov.in) is free. Paid services like ClearTax simply make it faster and guided, and are handy if you have capital gains or a more complex return.
What happens if I don’t verify my return?
An unverified return is treated as not filed. You must e-verify within 30 days of submitting — the fastest way is an Aadhaar OTP.
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Prashant Thakur is the founder of SavesToGrow.com. He is not a financial advisor — he's a self-taught personal-finance enthusiast who learned to budget, save consistently, and invest from scratch, and now shares those hard-won lessons in plain, jargon-free English. Every guide is researched from primary sources such as the Income Tax Department, SEBI, RBI and AMFI, and reflects real, first-hand experience. Nothing on this site is professional financial advice — always do your own research or consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making money decisions.
