Income Tax Filing: With less than three weeks left to file your Income Tax Return (ITR) for FY 2024-25, taxpayers must prepare all necessary documents ahead of the September 15 deadline. Whether filing independently or with a chartered accountant, having these documents ready ensures a smooth process.
As of August 26, 2025, the Income Tax Department reported that over 3.75 crore returns have been filed for FY 2024-25, with more than 2.37 crore already processed.
Here’s a detailed checklist of the essential documents you need for hassle-free ITR filing.
1. PAN Linked to Aadhaar
Your PAN must be linked to Aadhaar to file your ITR. While this is a basic requirement, double-checking it now avoids last-minute issues.
2. Form 16
Form 16 is issued by your employer and contains details about Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) during the financial year. This is crucial for salaried individuals to file an accurate ITR.
3. Form 26AS
Form 26AS provides a consolidated statement of:
- TDS
- Tax Collected at Source (TCS)
- Advance Tax payments
Tip: Cross-verify all income reported in Form 26AS with your other documents to prevent discrepancies.
4. AIS (Annual Information Statement)
The Annual Information Statement (AIS) contains comprehensive details about your income, financial transactions, and tax information.
- Available for download from your Income Tax e-filing account
- Ensures all your reported transactions match official records
Pro Tip: Compare your AIS with Form 26AS before filing to avoid errors and notices later.
5. Capital Gain P&L Statement
If you invested in stocks, mutual funds, or crypto, you must calculate capital gains.
- Download the Profit & Loss statement from broker platforms like Zerodha, Groww, or others.
- Crypto investors should download transaction statements from their respective platforms.
Accurate reporting of capital gains prevents penalties or unnecessary tax issues.
6. Interest Certificates
Download interest certificates from all financial institutions where you have:
- Savings accounts
- Recurring deposits (RDs)
- Fixed deposits (FDs)
This helps correctly declare interest income in your ITR.
Additional Tip:
Ensure your mobile number linked to Aadhaar is active. An OTP verification will be sent here to complete ITR filing.
Key Takeaways
- Less than three weeks remain to file ITR for FY 2024-25.
- Cross-check Form 26AS and AIS to avoid errors.
- Keep PAN, Form 16, capital gain statements, interest certificates, and Aadhaar-linked mobile ready.
By keeping these documents ready, you can file your ITR smoothly and on time, avoiding last-minute stress.
