ITR filing deadline of July 31, 2026: With only 4 days left to due date; 5 checks you must complete before submitting form

Taxpayers who have not yet filed their Income Tax Return (ITR) should refrain from hurrying through the process at the last minute, since there are only four days remaining until the July 31, 2026, deadline. Before filing the return, a few quick checks might help in avoiding errors that could result in faulty returns, tax notices or refund delays.

Here are the five checks you should complete before filing your income tax return (ITR)

1. Match Form 16 with AIS and Form 26AS

Taxpayers should compare salary details in Form 16 with information available in Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS.


Also verify that the TDS deducted by your employer is accurately reflected in Form 26AS reflected in Form 26AS.
In case of any mismatch in salary, tax deducted or other income, get it corrected before filing the return.

2. Keep all income and deduction documents ready

Do not rely only on Form 16 while filing your return. Keeping all documents handy reduces the chances of missing any taxable income or eligible deduction.

Documents that you should keep ready include bank interest certificates, savings account and fixed deposit interest details, capital gain statements from brokers or mutual funds, rental income details, if applicable and home loan interest certificates.

Also read: ITR verification process: Different ways to e-verify your Income Tax Return using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, EVC

3. Choose the correct tax regime and check if any tax is still payable

Make sure that you have selected the tax regime that can help you save more tax. It is always better to compare your tax liability under both the old and new tax regimes before making the final choice, wherever applicable.

4. Select the correct ITR form and verify personal details

Choosing the wrong ITR form can result in your return being treated as defective.
Also verify that your PAN, Aadhaar, bank account details, IFSC code, email address and mobile number are correct.

5. E-verify your return and download acknowledgement

Filing the income tax return is only one part of the process. Your ITR is treated as complete only after it is successfully verified.

There are different ways you can e-verify your return using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, Electronic Verification Code (EVC) or a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).

Last-minute ITR filing checklist

Before clicking the final submit button, make sure you have completed the following:

1. Correct ITR form selected
2. PAN, Aadhaar and bank account details verified
3. Form 16 checked
4. AIS and Form 26AS reconciled
5. Bank interest, capital gains and other income included
6. Deductions claimed under the chosen tax regime verified
7. Pending self-assessment tax, if any, is paid
8. The ITR was submitted successfully
9. ITR e-verified
10. ITR acknowledgement downloaded and saved

July 31, 2026 ITR filing deadline of Form 1 and 2

July 31, 2026, is the deadline for students, pensioners, salaried and other individuals who don't need to undergo a tax audit to file their income tax return.

Who needs to file ITR by July 31, 2026

The July 31 deadline for filing income tax returns (ITRs) applies to salaried individuals, pensioners, students and others who don’t need to undergo a tax audit. This year, the tax filing process for a lot of taxpayers is smoother compared to earlier years thanks to the Income Tax Department (I-T) working to fix technical glitches. Plus, they released the tax forms for AY 2026-2027 a lot earlier than last year (AY 2025-2026), which helps spread out the load on the ITR e-filing system over a longer period.