Filing your income tax return might seem straightforward, but even small errors can lead to penalties, delayed refunds, or worse - a notice from the Income Tax Department. Here are the 10 most common mistakes and how to avoid each one.
Choosing the Wrong ITR Form
India has 7 different ITR forms. Using the wrong one makes your return defective.
ITR-1 (Sahaj): Salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh, up to two house properties (excluding cases with brought-forward losses), and long-term capital gains under Section 112A up to ₹1.25 lakh (with no brought-forward or carry-forward capital loss), FD interest
ITR-2: Salary + capital gains, foreign income, multiple properties
ITR-3: Business/professional income (without presumptive taxation)
ITR-4 (Sugam): Presumptive taxation under 44AD/44ADA
Tip: If you had short-term capital gains from stocks or mutual funds, or long-term capital gains exceeding ₹1.25 lakh in a year, you need at least ITR-2, not ITR-1.
Not Reporting All Income Sources
The most dangerous mistake. The IT department knows about your FD interest, mutual fund gains, rental income, and freelance payments - it is all in your Annual Information Statement (AIS). If your ITR does not match AIS, expect a notice.
Check both your AIS and Form 26AS at incometax.gov.in before filing - AIS primarily captures SFT data like interest and dividends, while Form 26AS focuses on TDS and TCS entries. Cross-checking both together gives you the complete picture. Report everything - even ₹500 in savings account interest.
Not Verifying TDS in Form 26AS
Your employer, bank, and clients deduct TDS - but sometimes the amounts do not match. Always download Form 26AS and cross-check every TDS entry before filing.
Forgetting to E-Verify Within 30 Days
Filing your ITR is only step one. You must e-verify within 30 days - via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or DSC. Without verification, your return is treated as never filed.
Claiming Wrong Deductions
Claiming deductions you are not eligible for - like 80C in the new regime, or inflated HRA without rent receipts - can trigger a 50-200% penalty on the misreported amount.
Rule: Only claim what you can prove with documents. Keep receipts for 7 years.
Also Read: ITR Refund Interest Rate: Current Rates, Calculation & Eligibility in 2024-25
Not Reporting Capital Gains from Stocks and Mutual Funds
Every stock sale, mutual fund redemption, or property sale generates capital gains - even if your broker deducted STT. You must report these in your ITR. The IT department gets this data directly from stock exchanges and AMCs.
Filing Late
Typically July 31 for non-audit cases (subject to government notification). Late filing penalties under Section 234F.
Income above ₹5 lakh: ₹5,000 penalty
Income up to ₹5 lakh: Maximum ₹1,000 penalty
Additionally, if you file after the due date, you may lose the option to choose the old tax regime if you file late. Plus, you lose the ability to carry forward certain losses and your refund gets delayed.
Wrong Bank Account Details
If your refund bank account is wrong or not pre-validated, your refund bounces and gets stuck for months. Always ensure your bank account is pre-validated and linked to your PAN on the income tax portal.
Not Disclosing Foreign Assets
If you have any foreign bank account, investment, or property - even a US stock via a broker - you must disclose it in Schedule FA of your ITR.Non-disclosure can attract a penalty of ₹10 lakh per year under the Black Money Act, in addition to prosecution and up to 7 years imprisonment.
Not Filing a Revised Return for Errors
Made a mistake? You can file a revised return under Section 139(5) up to March 31, 2027 (end of the assessment year for FY 2025-26), as the deadline has been extended from December 31 under Budget 2026. However, revised returns filed after December 31 attract a fee - ₹5,000 if your income exceeds ₹5 lakh, and ₹1,000 if your income is ₹5 lakh or below.
Also Read: 9 Smart Money Moves for 2026
Penalties
| Mistake | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Under-reporting income | 50% of tax on unreported amount |
| Misreporting income | 200% of tax on misreported amount |
| Late filing | ₹1,000 (income ≤ ₹5 lakh) or ₹5,000 (income > ₹5 lakh) |
| Not filing at all | Prosecution + up to 7 years imprisonment |
| Non-disclosure of foreign assets | ₹10 lakh |
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