Why do Form 26 AS and AIS still matter when your ITR is already pre-filled on the e-filing portal?

So, when all your relevant data is already with the tax department, then what is the need for the Annual Information Statement (AIS) or Form 26AS.

Well, these documents are there to help you cross-verify all your financial data on the e-filing website, which will, in turn, ensure full and accurate income disclosure on your part for a seamless return filing.

Moreover, the Income Tax Department fetches your financial data from various sources. And sometimes it might go wrong. That said, let's look at what these documents provide.

Form 26 AS

Form 26AS provides a consolidated tax credit statement issued by the tax department. It shows how much tax has been deposited against your PAN during the financial year. If you have paid more tax than required, you can claim a refund by filing the ITR.

Form 26AS includes TDS, TCS, Advance tax/self-assessment tax paid, and refunds received. It also includes your high-value transactions like property purchases, mutual funds, etc.

If you find any data wrong on Form 26AS, you can check with the tax deductor for correction.

Annual Information Statement

AIS is an extension of Form 26AS and includes more details such as interest from savings/fixed deposits, dividend income, mutual fund purchases/redemptions, share transactions, rent details, foreign remittances (under LRS), credit card payments, property purchases/sales, etc.

The purpose of AIS is to give you comprehensive data about all your taxable financial transactions during the year. If you find anything wrong in the AIS, you can submit feedback.

What to do with these forms when filing ITR for AY 2025-26?

Before starting the ITR filing process for AY 2025-26 on the e-filing portal, you should use both Form 26AS and AI to cross-check income, TDS, interest, and other details. Doing so will ensure that your ITR is correct and help you avoid any tax notices in the future.