Don’t Need a CA! Just Keep These 8 Documents Ready to File Your ITR Like a Pro

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) doesn't have to be hard—or expensive. You don’t need to hire a Chartered Accountant if you’re an individual with basic sources of income like salary, savings interest, or investments. With the right set of documents in hand, filing your return becomes a straightforward task.

This article breaks down eight essential documents you must collect before you sit down to file your ITR. With these, you can fill your return confidently, avoid errors, and get your refund faster—without relying on anyone else.

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🌟 Why Filing ITR Yourself Makes Sense

• Saves money: No need to pay ₹500–₹2000 to a CA

• More control: Understand your income, deductions, and taxes

• Faster refunds: Avoid delays caused by third-party errors

• Skill building: Learn how taxes work—it’ll help you plan better

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✅ 1. Form 16 – Your Salary Blueprint

Form 16 is a crucial document for salaried individuals. Issued by your employer, it summarizes:

• Your total salary earned

• All deductions (like HRA, PF, insurance)

• Tax deducted (TDS) and deposited with the government

It comes in two parts:

• Part A: TDS and employer details

• Part B: Salary components and deductions

📝 Why you need it:
It helps you enter the right income figures in your ITR and claim tax deductions already made on your behalf.

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✅ 2. TDS Certificates – For Non-Salary Tax Deductions

TDS is not just for salaries. If any other income of yours has TDS deducted, you’ll need the appropriate certificate. This includes:

• Form 16A: For TDS on interest from bank FDs, RDs

• Form 16B: For TDS on sale of property

• Form 16C: For TDS on rent received from tenants

• Form 16D: For other professional or contractual incomes

📝 Why you need it:
To make sure all TDS deducted is claimed correctly in your return, reducing your final tax liability.

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✅ 3. Capital Gains Statements – From Stocks or Mutual Funds

If you’ve sold any stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, or property during the financial year, you’ll need Capital Gains Statements. These show:

• The purchase and sale price

• Date of purchase and sale

• Holding period (for short-term or long-term classification)

• Applicable capital gains tax

📊 Where to get it:

• Demat/brokerage platforms (Zerodha, Groww, Upstox, etc.)

• Mutual fund companies or platforms (CAMS, KFintech)

📝 Why you need it:
To declare your gains or losses accurately and avoid tax notices.

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✅ 4. AIS & Form 26AS – Government's View of Your Finances

The Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS are available on the Income Tax portal and show everything the tax department already knows about you:

• Your income from different sources

• TDS/TCS deposited

• Refunds issued

• Property transactions

• Interest received

📝 Why you need it:
To match your declared income with official records and avoid discrepancies that can trigger notices.

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✅ 5. Details of Foreign Assets and Unlisted Shares

Do you have:

• A foreign bank account?

• Shares in a foreign company?

• Shares in an unlisted Indian startup?

If yes, you must declare them in your ITR—even if you didn’t earn any income from them.

🌐 Why you need this info:
Failure to report foreign assets can lead to penalties under the Black Money Act. So be transparent and keep relevant proofs ready.

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✅ 6. Interest Certificates & Bank Statements

If you’ve earned interest from:

• Savings bank accounts

• Fixed or recurring deposits

• Post office schemes

...then you need interest certificates from the bank or post office.

Also, collect bank statements to:

• Confirm salary credits

• Track freelance/gig income

• Reconcile rent or gift income

• Verify investment transactions

📝 Why you need it:
Interest income is taxable, and bank statements help you track all unreported income too.

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✅ 7. Proofs for Deductions – 80C, 80D, 80G & More

Under the old tax regime, you can claim deductions for:

Section	Eligible Expenses
80C	PPF, EPF, LIC premiums, ELSS, tuition fees
80D	Health insurance premiums
80G	Donations to approved charities
80E	Interest on education loans
80TTA	Savings account interest (up to ₹10,000)

Collect receipts, statements, or certificates for each investment or expense you want to claim.

📝 Why you need it:
These deductions reduce your taxable income—and your tax bill.

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✅ 8. PAN, Aadhaar, and Bank Account Details

Before you file, ensure the following:

• Your PAN and Aadhaar are linked

• You have a valid bank account with correct IFSC code

• You mention all bank accounts held during the year

📝 Why you need it:
Refunds are credited to the bank account you specify. Wrong info can delay or cancel your refund.

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🖥️ How to File ITR Online in 7 Steps

1. Visit: https://www.incometax.gov.in

2. Log in using your PAN and password

3. Go to e-File → Income Tax Return → File Now

4. Select Assessment Year (2024–25) and correct ITR form

5. Fill in income, deductions, and taxes paid

6. Review and validate all details

7. Submit and E-verify via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or other methods

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🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Missing out on interest income

• ❌ Not matching income with AIS/26AS

• ❌ Incorrect PAN or Aadhaar details

• ❌ Forgetting to e-verify

• ❌ Using the wrong ITR form

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⏰ What Happens if You Delay?

Filing your return after the due date (usually 31st July) can lead to:

• Late filing fee (₹1000–₹5000)

• Interest on tax due

• Inability to revise your return

• Delayed refunds

• Legal penalties (in extreme cases)

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✨ Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Taxes

Filing your ITR yourself is empowering. It helps you understand your own money better, detect income leakages, and save on unnecessary costs. You don’t need a financial background—just be prepared with the right documents.

So, before the deadline approaches:
✅ Collect these 8 key documents
✅ Set aside 30–45 minutes
✅ File your ITR like a pro!

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🔁 Quick Recap – The 8 Must-Have Documents

No.	Document Name	Purpose
1.	Form 16	Salary income & tax deducted
2.	TDS Certificates (16A/16B/16C)	Tax deducted from other incomes
3.	Capital Gain Statement	Gains from stock/mutual fund/property
4.	AIS and Form 26AS	Government’s record of your finances
5.	Foreign Assets/Unlisted Shares	Compliance with global asset rules
6.	Interest Certificates & Statements	Bank/post office income reporting
7.	Deduction Proofs (80C/80D/etc.)	Reduce taxable income
8.	PAN, Aadhaar, Bank Details	Identification and refund processing

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📣 Share & Save!

If you found this guide useful, share it with your colleagues, friends, or family members who are planning to file their own tax return this year.

Because when you’re prepared, you don’t need a CA! 💪