Half the stress of tax filing is hunting for papers at the last minute. Keep this checklist, tick things off over a weekend chai, and filing day becomes a 10 minute job.
For everyone
- ✓PAN card and Aadhaar (make sure they are linked)
- ✓Bank account details for your refund
- ✓Bank statements or passbook for the full financial year
- ✓AIS and Form 26AS, downloaded from the income tax portal
If you are salaried
- ✓Form 16 from every employer you worked with during the year
- ✓Salary slips if you changed jobs mid year
- ✓Rent receipts or rent agreement if you claim HRA
If you have investments
- ✓Interest certificates from banks and post office
- ✓Capital gains statement from your broker or mutual fund house
- ✓Dividend statements (also visible in your AIS)
If you claim deductions (old regime)
- ✓LIC or insurance premium receipts, PPF passbook, ELSS statements for 80C
- ✓Health insurance premium receipt for 80D
- ✓Home loan interest certificate from your bank for Section 24(b)
- ✓Donation receipts with the organisation's PAN for 80G
A small tip from experience: you do not need to attach any of these documents to your return. You just need the numbers from them, and you must keep the papers safely for a few years in case the department asks. On Saathi.Tax you can simply upload your Form 16 and bank statement, and our AI pulls out the numbers for you.
