Documents for ITR filing FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) with deductions proof

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the essential documents you should gather for ITR filing for FY 2024‑25 (AY 2025‑26), along with the proofs required to substantiate deduction claims:

1. Identity & Tax Records

• PAN & Aadhaar: PAN is mandatory; Aadhaar–PAN linking is required and Aadhaar enrolment ID is no longer acceptable. A taxpayer must report all the active bank accounts held by him/her during the FY 2024-25. Reporting of bank accounts is mandatory irrespective of whether there is an income tax refund or not.

• Form 26AS & Annual Information Statement (AIS/TIS): Reflects all TDS, TCS, advance/self-assessment tax, and transaction data from banks, brokers, etc. Crucial for cross-verification.

2. Income Documentation

• Form 16 (Part A & B): Salary breakup, allowances, TDS deducted – mandatory for salaried taxpayers.

• Salary Slips: Helpful to validate HRA, LTA, DA, and other allowances in case of missing entries in Form 16.

• Interest Certificates: Issued by banks/post offices for savings, FDs, RDs.

• Capital Gains Statements: From brokers or mutual fund houses for any sale of investments or assets.

• Rental Income Documents: Rent receipts, rent agreement, landlord’s PAN if applicable, especially for HRA claims and TDS >₹50 k/month.

3. Home Loan & Property

• Home Loan Statement: Shows breakup of principal & interest enabling deductions under Section 24(b) and Principal under Section 80C.

• Sale Deeds / Property Documents: For capital gains on property transactions.

4. Investment & Deduction Proofs (Chapter VI‑A)

Section 80C (up to ₹1.5 lakh)

• PPF statements, ELSS fund statements, NSC, tuition-fee receipts, home loan principal, LIC premium receipts.

Section 80D – Medical Insurance

• Health insurance premium receipts including policy numbers and insurer names.

Section 80E – Education Loan

• Interest certificate from bank, including lender details and sanction date.

Section 80G – Donations

• Registered donation receipts with registration numbers.

Section 80DDB – Specific Illness

• Medical bills and doctor’s prescription mentioning ailment/specific disease.

Section 80EE/80EEA/80EEB – Loan Interest

• For home/E‑vehicle loan interest: lender details, loan account, sanction date, outstanding balance.

5. Other Income / Business

• Dividend, Family Pension, Freelance Income: Bank statements or invoices.

• Business/Professional: P&L statement, balance sheet, invoices if self-employed.

• Foreign Income: Form 67, foreign bank statements.

6. HRA Specific

• Full HRA claim documentation required:

  • Place of work, actual HRA received, rent paid, landlord PAN (if rent >₹1 lakh/year), metro vs non-metro classification.

7. Record-Keeping & Retention

• Retention: Keep all proofs (payslips, rent receipts, investment documents) for at least 4–8 years, as notices can occur years later.

What’s New This Year in ITR Forms (ITR‑1/ITR‑4 Old Regime):

• Disclosure-centric: Every deduction requires detailed entries – e.g. policy numbers, loan IDs, disease names.

Filing Tips

• E‑filing portal: You don’t upload proofs, but accurate data input is critical. Keep source documents safe in case the department requests them later.

• Avoid mismatches: Cross-verify AIS/26AS with your records to avoid notices or delays.

• Choose correct ITR form based on your income type (e.g., ITR‑1, 2, 3, 4) and regime selection (old/new).

• HRA caution: Rent >₹50 k/month can trigger TDS on landlord; ensure proper PAN inclusion.

Conclusion

Income tax filing is more than a formality. It’s your declaration to the government about your financial conduct, and with digital systems like AIS, TIS, and pre-filled data, the margin for error is small. Whether you’re a salaried professional, a freelancer, an investor, or a business owner, it’s worth taking the time to get your filing right the first time.

That said, if you’re short on time, uncertain about deductions, or just want peace of mind knowing it’s all handled right, CA4Filings ITR experts and Chartered Accountants are here to help. From sorting your documents and choosing the right ITR form to filing, verification, and dealing with refunds or notices, we take care of it all.