ITR Filing 2026: Mistake That Delays Refunds

A return filed with the wrong form may be treated as defective, forcing the taxpayer to correct it within a set timeline. Failure to do so can delay refund processing or invalidate the return entirely.

Employees who changed jobs during the year should collect Form 16 from every employer, Shetty said. They should combine salary from all employers, reconcile TDS with Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement, and ensure each employer's TDS was credited correctly. Any tax shortfall from income earned at a previous employer should be paid before filing.

Before submitting the return, taxpayers should check for mismatches between Form 16 and Form 26AS. Shetty said they should first verify details in 26AS and AIS, then use Form 16 to reconcile salary and TDS. If TDS shown in Form 16 is missing or differs from 26AS, they should contact the employer for a correction.

Filing early reduces the risk of technical issues on the e-filing portal and leaves time to correct errors and complete e-verification, Shetty said.

The deadline is July 31.