The process of filing your Income Tax Returns in India takes some preparation. This is why the Government gives you four months’ window period to compile all documents like salary/income details, bank statements, previous tax statements, etc.
The procedure varies as per the income earned per year and income source like salary, business profit, investment profit and so on. Collating all your documents ready is just one aspect of it.
In this article, we will discuss in detail about the documents needed for filing Income Tax Returns in India.
Taxpayers have to choose the ITR form applicable to them for the AY 2019-20.
It is mandatory for taxpayers to link Aadhaar with PAN for the AY 2019-20 on or before the filing of income tax returns.
If you are a salaried employee, gather these documents to e-file your income tax returns in India. Go through this list to see the documents you’ll need to do your taxes.
From the AY 2019-20, it is essential to gather the information on all taxable allowances received and the amount claimed exempt out of such allowances e.g., house rent allowance, leave travel allowance etc and disclose the same in the IT return.
Did you know that Form-16 is all you need to e-file your income tax returns on ClearTax? It’s that simple really. Got your Form-16? Start e-filing.
ClearTax automatically gives you tax benefit as per Section 80TTA when you enter your income from savings account interest. You won’t need all the documents listed here as they vary on a case-by-case basis.
Form 26AS is a summary of taxes deducted on your behalf and taxes paid by you. This is provided by the Income Tax Department.
It shows details of tax deducted on your behalf by deductors, details on tax deposited by taxpayers and tax refund received in the financial year. This form can be accessed from the I-T Department’s website.
Learn how to access your Form 26AS
Keep these documents at hand to claim the following expenses as deductions –
Click here to see the detailed list of all the deductions available under Section 80.
To know more about how to claim deductions against your home loan, Click here.
From FY 2017-18, the total loss from house property available for set off against other income is capped at Rs 2 lakhs and therefore, interest on housing loan is eligible for tax saving up to Rs 2,00,000 for let out property as well.
The income tax return you file is an ‘annexure less’ return, i.e. no documents or proofs are required to be attached with the returns. The Income Tax Act specifies obtaining certificates and proofs to claim deductions, which makes it ambiguous for the taxpayers as to whom they must handover those certificates and proofs.
The taxpayers must preserve those certificates and receipts for future references and need not attach or send it to anyone. In case an assessing officer (AO) sends a notice asking for documents or clarification about the transactions mentioned in the returns, the taxpayer will have to submit the proofs to the AO.