Dec 22, 2022
The Income Tax Department of India has been implementing conscious efforts to optimize the overall process of filing Income Tax Returns (ITR). The method of filing your Income Tax is strenuous and takes some preparation.
That’s why the Government offers you a window of four months to collect and compile essential documents. From income details to bank statements, you have to collect a wide variety of documents to make the Income Tax filing process easier.
Note that the procedure varies based on your annual income. It also depends on the source of your income, like salary, profits, etc. For income tax online payment, you have to collate the following documents.
Selecting the Applicable ITR Form
As a taxpayer, you have to select the applicable ITR form. The Income Tax department usually launches pre-filled ITR forms for various financial years. Linking Aadhar with PAN is also mandatory to file taxes. If you fail to link your PAN with Aadhar, the PAN will become inoperative. It is compulsory to link PAN and Aadhar for the successful filing of taxes.
Documents for Salaried Professionals
Note that for salaried working professionals, the requirements for tax filing-specific documents are different.
Here is the list of documents you might need to e-file your tax returns.
- PAN
- Salary slips based on month
- Form-16 issued by your employer
From AY 2019-20, it is mandatory to collect information on all taxable allowances received. You should disclose the allowances clearly in your tax returns.
Types of Documents you need for Interest Income
- TDS certificates issued by the bank and other financial institutions
- Interest income statement for your fixed deposits
- Passbook or bank statement for interest on savings account
You can claim a deduction of INR 10000 under section 80TTA for the interest earned on a savings account. You should remember that interest earned from fixed deposits, taxable bonds, etc., are fully taxable. That’s why you should report the proper amount in ITR.
Even though there is no need to report PPF interest, you can highlight it in the form. You should provide details of interest earned from EPF accounts if the yearly contribution surpasses INR 2.5 lakhs.
Significance of Form 26AS
Form 26AS is the summary of taxes deducted on your behalf and taxes paid by you. This form is provided by the Income Tax Department. The Form 26AS is of paramount importance as it shows details of taxes deducted. It also highlights the taxes deposited by taxpayers and tax refunds received in a particular financial year.
Annual Information Statement
In November 2021, the IT Department launched the Annual Information Statement. It is that type of statement that comprises details about all the financial transactions. Based on the latest Press Release, the IT department announced that the AIS includes information associated with mutual fund transactions, foreign remittances, etc.
You should download and crosscheck the information and transactions from the AIS. It will ensure that all information mentioned in the statement is reported in the ITR form.
Tax-Saving Expenditure and Investment Proofs
It is essential to gather tax-savings expenditure and investment proofs to claim a deduction when you’re filing ITR. Always remember that individuals can claim tax-saving expenditures and investments if they select the old tax regime while filing ITR.
It is common for employees to declare and report all tax-saving proofs to their employers to avoid higher TDS. The proofs to be submitted should be mentioned in part B of Form 16. The Income Tax department derives information from part B of Form 16 and pre-fills it. But if you’ve missed any opportunity to furnish tax-saving proof documents, you can claim during the time of filing the ITR.
Documents for Section 80 Investments
If you have active investments under PPF, NSC, ULIPS, LIC, and ELSS, you qualify for deductions under Section 80C. However, for deductions, you should have the right documents. Here are some of the documents you need for Section 80 investments.
- Slips
- Receipts
- TDS certificates
You should keep these documents safe for income tax deductions.
Documents Needed to Claim the Expenses as Deductions
You should keep the following documents accessible to claim expenses on the deductions.
- Your contribution to the Provident Fund
- Premium payment for life insurance
- Registration and stamp-duty charges
- Tuition fees for your children
- Savings schemes and mutual funds investments
Note that the maximum amount that you can claim under Section 80C is INR 1.5 lakhs.
Capital Gains from Property Sales, Mutual Funds, and Stocks
You should report your capital gains while filing ITR. The documents you need to disclose capital gains are:
- Details of the cost of acquisition
To ensure that the ITR filing process goes smoothly, consider submitting the documents as stated.