ITR Filing Form 16: The income tax deadline for FY 2025-26 is close, with the due date falling on 31st July 2026 for many salaried taxpayers. Even if Form 16 has not reached you yet, you do not have to stop filing your return. The Income Tax Department says ITR-1 is meant for resident individuals with total income up to ₹50 lakh, and Form 16 is only one of the papers that can help when you fill the return. The department also says taxpayers should check AIS and Form 26AS and keep bank statements, salary details and other records ready before filing.
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Form 16 is useful because it shows salary paid, deductions, exemptions and TDS. But when it is delayed, many salaried people still prepare their return from other records such as salary slips, bank statements, Form 26AS and AIS. AIS gives a wider view of the taxpayer’s information, while Form 26AS mainly shows TDS and TCS details.
Keep These Papers Ready Before You Start
Before starting your income tax return, keep all important documents ready.
- Month-wise salary slips for FY 2025-26
- Bank statements showing salary credits
- Form 26AS
- Annual Information Statement (AIS)
- Interest certificates from banks or post offices
- EPF contribution details
- PPF investment proof
- ELSS investment proof
- NPS contribution records
- Life insurance premium receipts
- Health insurance premium receipts
- Home loan interest certificate
- Rent receipts and other deduction-related documents
The Income Tax Department’s guidance for salaried people also says to compare the actual TDS, tax paid and other details with AIS and Form 26AS so mistakes are caught early.
If you changed jobs during the financial year, make sure salary from every employer is included. That is important because the full yearly salary may be spread across more than one Form 16, or one of the forms may arrive late. Bank credits and salary slips can help you piece everything together in the right order.
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Filing Steps For Salaried People
Total salary income
First, work out your total salary income from all your payslips and bank credits. Then add any salary from a previous employer if you switched jobs during the year. After that, claim the deductions and exemptions that apply to you.
Under the old tax regime, this can include HRA, LTA and deductions under Sections 80C, 80D and 80G, while the new regime allows fewer exemptions. The standard deduction is available under both regimes, but the amount may differ by regime and category.
Report of income
Next, report every other source of income too. That includes savings account interest, fixed deposit interest, dividend income and rental income. After that, check whether the TDS in your salary records matches Form 26AS. If there is a mismatch, the employer has to correct the TDS return before you claim the credit.
When you log in to the e-filing portal, many details may already be pre-filled. Still, every field should be checked carefully before you submit. Look at salary, deductions, TDS, bank account details, interest income and personal information one by one. Once the return is filed, it must be e-verified within 30 days. If it is not verified in time, the return is treated as invalid.
