Why You Should Wait Until June 15 to File ITR?
As the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing season for FY 2025-26 gets underway, many taxpayers are preparing to submit their returns early to avoid last-minute technical glitches and heavy traffic on the portal. However, tax professionals are advising individuals to wait until at least mid-June before filing their returns.
Experts say filing too early may create problems if important tax documents and income records are not fully updated with the Income Tax Department.
Why Mid-June Is Considered Safer for ITR Filing
Tax experts point out that key documents such as Form 16, Form 26AS, and the Annual Information Statement (AIS) are generally updated by June 15 every year.
For salaried employees, Form 16 plays a crucial role in return filing as it contains complete salary details, exemptions claimed, tax deducted at source (TDS), and tax calculations prepared by the employer. Companies are expected to issue Form 16 to employees by June 15, 2026 for FY 2025-26.
Without this document, taxpayers may need to depend on salary slips, bank statements, and multiple records, increasing the possibility of mistakes while filing returns.
Importance of Form 26AS and AIS
Apart from Form 16, taxpayers are also advised to carefully verify Form 26AS and AIS before submitting their ITR.
Form 26AS reflects details of TDS deducted and deposited with the government. These details are updated after employers, banks, or other deductors file their quarterly TDS returns. Since the due date for fourth-quarter TDS filing is generally May 31, experts suggest waiting until the records are properly reflected.
Similarly, AIS includes information related to:
- Salary income
- Interest earnings
- Stock market transactions
- Mutual fund investments
- High-value financial transactions
As financial institutions and employers continue updating records, AIS data may change over time.
Risks of Filing ITR Before Records Are Updated
Tax consultants warn that filing returns before all records are updated may lead to mismatches between the taxpayer’s return and the information available with the Income Tax Department.
Such discrepancies can result in:
- Tax notices
- Requests for clarification
- Delays in refund processing
- Additional compliance checks
- Scrutiny from tax authorities
Experts say many taxpayers later discover revised TDS entries or additional income details appearing in AIS or Form 26AS after filing returns, forcing them to submit revised returns.
Freelancers and Investors Need Extra Caution
Professionals such as freelancers, consultants, traders, investors and business owners are advised to be even more careful while filing early.
These categories often receive payments from multiple clients or institutions, and TDS details may take longer to appear in official tax records. Waiting for updated statements can help ensure accurate tax credit claims and reduce filing errors.
Tax experts believe a short wait before filing can help taxpayers avoid unnecessary complications and ensure smoother processing of returns and refunds.
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