The process of filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) for Assessment Year 2025-26 is now in full swing. The last date for filing ITR this year is 15 September 2025. Digital filing has certainly made this process faster and easier, but even small mistakes can get you a notice from the Income Tax Department, a delay in refund, or a penalty.

The Income Tax Department has now strengthened data tracking even more through tools like the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS. Also, with the interconnection of financial data and the arrival of pre-filled forms, more errors are coming to the fore than ever before. Therefore, today we are telling you about some common mistakes that taxpayers should avoid while filling out the form.

Avoid these 7 mistakes while filing ITR

Often taxpayers make some mistakes in a hurry or inadvertently, for which they have to suffer later. Let us know what are the 7 common mistakes that are important to avoid:

Wrong Personal Details

Many returns get rejected or get stuck due to even a small mistake in basic information like name, PAN, Aadhaar, bank account details, or address. Therefore, ensure that all your personal information matches exactly with your official records. The mistake of even a single letter or number can create a big problem.

Mismatch between Form 16 and AIS/Form 26AS

Salaried taxpayers often rely only on Form 16, but they should cross-verify it with AIS and Form 26AS to catch any error in income, TDS, or other tax credits. A mismatch can lead to inadvertent under-reporting of income, which easily gets noticed by the department.

Not Reporting All Sources of Income

This is a very common mistake. This includes savings bank interest, FD interest, dividends, capital gains from shares or mutual funds, rental income, or foreign income. Freelancers and business owners must also disclose all their receipts, even if tax has not been deducted at source. Remember, even the smallest income needs to be disclosed.

Choosing the Wrong ITR Form

Filing through the wrong ITR form is a common mistake. This can lead to filing a defective return. For example, ITR-1 is not for those who have capital gains or foreign assets. Taxpayers must review the eligibility criteria before choosing the form. Choose the right form based on the sources and nature of your income.

Ignoring Deductions and Exemptions

Sections like 80C (such as LIC premium, PPF, EPF), 80D (for health insurance), 80TTA (interest on savings accounts) and 24(b) (home loan interest) can significantly reduce your tax liability. Not claiming them means paying more tax than necessary. Make the most of all your eligible deductions and exemptions.

Filing Without Verification

Submitting ITR is not the final step. The return should be electronically verified using Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, or by sending a signed physical ITR-V Form to CPC, Bengaluru. Without verification, your return will be considered incomplete and no action will be taken on it.

Ignoring Advance Tax and Self-Assessment Tax

Taxpayers with income from business, capital gains, or freelancing are required to pay advance tax if their income exceeds ₹10,000 in a business year. Failure to do so may attract interest under sections 234B and 234C. If you have already filed your return and now find a mistake, do not panic. The Income Tax Department allows the revision of returns within a stipulated time. For the assessment year 2025-26, it is till 31 December 2025. Revised returns can help correct mistakes and avoid penalties.