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Income Tax
Late TDS: Deduction, Payment and Filing Are Different
Separate late deduction, late deposit and statement filing defaults, with simple interest examples and a reconciliation checklist.
Read insightA reliable income tax return starts with the correct period, the right form and records that reconcile. Do not treat prefilled figures as a complete statement of your affairs or assume that the date you file determines which law applies.
This checklist is for preparation and review. The appropriate form, filing obligation and computation depend on the taxpayer's income, status and circumstances.
First identify the year
The Income Tax Department's transition guidance distinguishes AY 2026–27, relating to FY 2025–26 income under the 1961 Act, from Tax Year 2026–27 under the 2025 Act. These are not two names for the same income period.
Write the income period at the top of every working paper. Keep earlier-year corrections and current-year records in separate folders. If a notice arrives, identify the period and provision in that notice rather than replacing its references merely because a new Act is now in force.
Assemble an income and evidence file
List every relevant source: employment, bank interest, property, investments, business or professional activity and other receipts. Add supporting statements and explanations, including records of transactions that may not be taxable but need review.
For an initial discussion, organise the applicable salary/TDS records, bank and investment statements, property information, business accounts, tax-payment acknowledgements and evidence for any claim you intend to make. Overseas interests, capital transactions or a change in residential circumstances should be identified early, not added after the computation is finished.
The Department's ITR-1 guidance explains the importance of checking AIS and Form 26AS. Its references to ITR-1 are not a recommendation that every individual is eligible to use that form.
Reconcile differences instead of hiding them
Compare the source records with the relevant tax information statements and credits. For each difference, record the amount, likely reason, evidence and next action. Do not delete an item simply because it is inconvenient or copy it without checking whether it belongs to the period.
A useful reconciliation sheet has columns for the payer or source, gross amount, tax withheld, amount in the records and explanation of any difference. Obtain clarification where needed. The review should leave an evidence trail another person can understand, not only a final tax figure.
Approve the computation and finish verification
Ask for a clear explanation of the selected form, material assumptions, regime choices where applicable and tax credits claimed. Distinguish taxes payable from the professional filing charge. Confirm whether corrections, a notice response or later representation are outside the agreed fee.
After submission, complete the applicable verification process and retain the acknowledgement and final computation. Submission, verification and processing are different stages; do not promise a refund date because a return has been uploaded.
Choose the correct service scope
Individual ITR filing, firms and LLP filing and company return filing have different requirements. A notice may need a separate notice assessment.
Contact Karfiling with the income period, taxpayer type and a list of available records. Missing information should be identified before a filing date or fee is confirmed. This article is general information, not an individual tax computation.