First-time ITR filing: a step-by-step guide

For your first return, work in this order: collect your documents, check what the department already knows about your income, pick the right ITR form and tax regime, review the tax figures, file, and then e-verify within 30 days. Skipping the checking step is the most common reason a first return needs correcting later.

The figures and dates below are for the tax year 2025-26 (income earned from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, filed in 2026). That year is under the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Step 1: Check that you need to file

Many first-time filers are not sure they must file. Some people must file even with low income, and others file voluntarily to claim a refund or build an income record. Read who must file an income tax return first.

Step 2: Collect your documents

Under the 2026 Rules, Form 16 is replaced by Form 130 for TDS on salary, but for the tax year 2025-26 you will still see Form 16.

Step 3: Check your AIS and Form 26AS

The department already holds information about your income: interest paid by banks, dividends, share sales and TDS. Your Annual Information Statement and Form 26AS show it. For the tax year 2025-26 the TDS statement is Form 26AS. From 2026-27 it is Form 168. See Form 26AS vs Form 168.

Compare these with your own records. If you leave out income that appears in them, expect a mismatch notice. Tax credit comes from Form 26AS (or Form 168), so check that all the TDS you expect is there.

Step 4: Pick your ITR form

The form depends on your income:

• ITR-1 (Sahaj): resident individual, salary or pension, one house property, other sources, and total income up to ₹50 lakh. Long-term capital gains on listed shares and equity funds are allowed only up to ₹1,25,000.
• ITR-2: for capital gains beyond that, more than one house property, foreign assets and similar cases.
• ITR-3 or ITR-4: if you have business or professional income.

See which ITR form should I file for the full list.

Step 5: Choose the tax regime

The new regime has lower slabs and a rebate that makes income up to ₹12 lakh tax-free, but allows few deductions. The old regime allows deductions like 80C and 80D. Calculate both. See old vs new tax regime.

Step 6: Review the tax and file

Check the computation: income by head, deductions, tax, cess of 4%, TDS and advance tax already paid. The result is either tax payable or a refund. If tax is payable, pay it before you submit. Then file the return.

The usual due date for a person with no audit requirement is 31 July after the tax year. For business or professional income without audit it is 31 August, and with audit it is 31 October. The department sometimes extends the date, so check the latest notice.

If you miss the date, you can still file a belated return until 31 December, with a late fee under section 234F: ₹5,000, or ₹1,000 if your total income is ₹5,00,000 or less. A belated return cannot use the old regime in TaxCare's rules.

Step 7: E-verify

Filing is not complete until you e-verify. You have 30 days. The fastest method is an Aadhaar OTP. See how to e-verify your ITR.

Step 8: Keep your records and track the refund

Save the acknowledgement and a copy of the return. Then follow the processing stages and any refund. See income tax refund status and delays.

Common first-time mistakes

• Filing without checking AIS and Form 26AS.
• Forgetting interest from savings accounts and fixed deposits.
• Not e-verifying.
• Choosing the old regime without proofs for the deductions.

How TaxCare helps

TaxCare brings your salary, TDS and other income details in from the income tax portal, checks them against your AIS, Form 26AS or Form 168, works out the tax under both regimes, and picks the form from your data. Nothing is submitted until you approve the return, and you are taken straight to Aadhaar OTP e-verification. If your case is beyond self-filing, you can hand it to a Tax Expert. See how to file your return and pricing.

This guide gives general information and is not professional tax advice.