ITR filing AY 2026-27: 4 easy steps first-time taxpayers should follow

Before you begin, keep all your income details, such as salary slips, bank interest, investment proofs, and other earnings, handy. It is also important to check your Form 26AS and AIS to ensure your tax details match the official records.

The next step is choosing the correct ITR form. Most salaried individuals can file using ITR-1, while small business owners and professionals under presumptive taxation may need ITR-4.

Once the form is filled out, submit it online and complete the e-verification process.

The income tax department has already enabled online filing and Excel utilities for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for AY 2026-27 on the e-Filing portal.

Here is a simple checklist to get started

Four easy steps first-time taxpayers should follow while filing their income tax returns for FY 25-26 (AY 26-27)

1. Keep your income details ready

2. Verify Form 26AS and AIS

3. Choose the correct ITR form

4. File, e-verify and you are done

Due date for filing income tax returns for FY 2025-26?

For the financial year 2025-2026 (Assessment Year 2026-2027), the deadline for individual taxpayers filing ITR is July 31, 2026.

ITR-1

ITR-4

Taxpayers with presumptive income from business or profession.

What happens if I miss the ITR deadline?

Taxpayers who miss the July 31 deadline can still file a delayed return by 31 December, for FY25-26 / AY26-27.