ITR: 10 things salaried people should follow

Every year, millions of people in the country file income tax returns (ITR) at the end of
each financial year in March. Salaried professionals and those with businesses are
required to file income tax returns in order to claim deductions, if any, apart from
furnishing other details related to income.

Despite repeating the process every year, many salaried individuals end up making last-
minute silly errors that potentially derail their claims and filings. Since you declare
income, deductions and tax paid via ITR filing, it is absolutely necessary to not make
mistakes during the process.

There are many ways in which salaried individuals can make mistakes in their ITR -
something that occurs mostly due to negligence or lack of time. Having said that, here are
some common rules you should ensure while filing income tax:

ITR filing mandatory

ITR has to be filed by anyone whose income exceeds basic exemption limit set by the
government. If your gross taxable income exceeds the basic limit, you have to file tax
return. In financial year 2017-18, the limit set for individuals below 60 years of age was
fixed at Rs 2.5 lakh.

However, it is ideal for each and every salaried professional to file income tax return as it
helps in establishing you as an honest taxpayer - you will be able to take loans from
banks without any issues. Those who fail to file ITR will not only receive an income tax
notice but will also have to pay a fine depending on the income bracket.

Do not miss ITR filing deadline

Ensure that you file income tax returns before initial deadline to avoid a penalty. While
you will get a number of opportunities to file it later, it does come along with a hefty fine.
On missing the deadline, you are required to file it before the end of the year to minimise
your penalty.

So, if you are yet to file your returns for the year 2017-18, you have to pay a penalty of
Rs 5,000. On failing to pay by December 31, 2018, the liability will go up to Rs 10,000.
The rule is applicable to return filing for 2018-19 as well. Only small taxpayers, with an
income below Rs 5 lakh, are required to pay only Rs 1,000 as fine if they miss deadline.

Select the right ITR form

If you are a salaried professional and are filing ITR on your own, ensure that you select
the correct form, else your entire ITR filing will be rejected and you may even get a
notice regarding the same from the tax department. There are seven ITR forms in total
but salaried professionals have to choose ITR 1 form to file returns. However, if you have
any kind of capital gain along with your in-hand salary, you must select ITR 2 as well.

Furnish correct personal details

Ensure that you enter all your personal details such as PAN card and contact number
correctly to avoid rejection or incomplete filing. Many times, ITR filings are rejected by
the tax department due to mismatch in personal details.

Avoid incorrect or missing income source

Be it out of greed or due to a mistake, never furnish wrong or misappropriated details

while filing ITR as it could land you in trouble. You should ideally declare your tax-free
incomes from investment along with the taxable amount.

In a nutshell, it is advisable to declare all your income from salary, investments or any
other exempted income. If you fail to disclose all your income details, there are high
chances that the tax department will send you a concealment notice.

Do not claim deductions under incorrect sections

Claiming deductions under incorrect sections while filing income tax return may become
an added liability. There are several sections of the Income Tax Act and each deduction
claim has to be filed in a particular section. You may end up with a notice if you have
erroneously filed a deduction under a wrong section.

Always cross-check Form 26AS

If you are confused before filing ITR, it is advisable to match it with Form 26AS - your
annual statement for the year or a consolidated tax statement that includes TDS, TCS, and
refund. It will give you a clear picture of all your tax credits and help you identify
whether you are entering details correctly in your ITR form. If you are a salaried
individual, it is ideal to cross-check your Form 16 with Form 26AS to avoid any last-
minute mistake.

Mention all your properties

If you own multiple properties, you can claim refund on only one of the properties under
income tax rules. You will have to pay taxes for all other properties owned as they will be
deemed as rented out.

Concealing details of additional property has serious consequences; the tax department
can charge individuals with violation of the Income Tax Act.

Avoid multiple deductions in TDS

Many times when individuals switch jobs, the tax deducted at source or TDS may be
deducted by both present and past employer for the same year. To avoid this confusion, it
is advisable that you furnish all your past TDS details to your present employer.

Meanwhile, in the ITR form, you should declare income and tax details related to both
past and present employer. While double taxation may occur in such cases, furnishing all
details with new employer can earn you a refund.

Always consult a professional

Even if you are feeling confident, it is ideal to cross-check your ITR filing with a
chartered accountant or a tax professional. There are many intricacies involved in filing
ITR and mistakes could lead to more liabilities. On the other hand, taxpayers should try
to avoid fraudsters who encourage people to file for more deductions under income tax
rules.