ITR filing FY 2025-26: Why Form 26AS is important for tax returns & how to download it online
ITR filing FY 2025-26: For salaried taxpayers, Form 26AS has become an important part of the income tax return filing process. Before you e-file your ITR on the income tax website, it is important to gather all the necessary documents and cross-check information to avoid scope of errors and mismatch.For the financial year 2025-26 (Assessment year 2026-27), the last date to file income tax returns within the due date is July 31, 2026. Filing after this is treated as belated and is subject to penalties.Over the last few years, Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS) have emerged as key ITR filing documents. Let’s understand what Form 26AS is, it’s significance and how salaried taxpayers can download it:
What is Form 26AS?
Form 26AS is an important document that provides taxpayers with a consolidated view of tax related information linked to their Permanent Account Number (PAN). According to Parizad Sirwalla, Partner and Head – Global Mobility Services, Tax, KPMG in India, Form 26AS serves as a key reference document for reviewing tax credits and reconciling tax related information available with the Income Tax Department before filing an income-tax return.
Understanding Form 26AS
The statement primarily contains details of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) by employers, banks and other deductors, as well as Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on specified transactions such as foreign remittances etc. “While Form 26AS continues to be an important tax credit statement, taxpayers should also refer to the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS), which provide a more comprehensive view of financial transactions and income-related information available with the department,” Parizad Sirwalla tells TOI.Also Read | ITR filing FY 2025-26: How to calculate taxes under old income tax regime – explainedReviewing Form 26AS before filing an income tax return helps taxpayers ensure that taxes deducted on their behalf have been correctly credited and that there are no discrepancies between their records and the information available with the Income Tax Department. Any mismatch between the information in Form 26AS and the tax return filed by the taxpayer may lead to delay in processing of the tax return or queries/ notices from the Income Tax Department, she cautions.
How to download Form 26AS
Taxpayers can access Form 26AS through the Income Tax e-Filing portal (https://www.incometax.gov.in). After logging in, they need to navigate to e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Form 26AS. The portal then redirects users to the TRACES platform, from where the statement can be viewed online or downloaded in PDF or text format. According to Parizad Sirwalla, Form 26AS can also be accessed through the net banking facilities of select authorised banks. “Taxpayers are advised to review Form 26AS carefully and reconcile it with AIS, TIS and other tax records before filing their income tax returns to avoid errors and ensure smooth processing of returns,” she concludes.Also Read | ITR filing: How to pay zero tax under new and old tax regime – know all about Section 87A rebate
