Pre-Filled ITR Data Errors: What You Must Double-Check Before Filing!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Pre-Filled ITR Data?
3. Common Errors in Pre-Filled ITR Data
   • Income Mismatch
   • TDS and Tax Payments Discrepancies
   • Capital Gains Errors
   • Bank Account Details
   • Personal Information Mistakes
4. Steps to Correct Pre-Filled ITR Errors
5. Why It’s Important to Verify Pre-Filled Data
6. FAQ Section

1. Introduction

The Income Tax Department provides pre-filled ITR data to simplify the filing process. However, errors in this data can lead to incorrect tax filing, notices, or delays in refunds. It is crucial to verify and correct these errors before submitting your return. Filing incorrect ITR due to pre-filled errors can result in penalties, additional tax liabilities, or even audit scrutiny. Hence, reviewing your tax data before submission is essential to avoid financial and legal repercussions.

2. What is Pre-Filled ITR Data?

Pre-filled ITR data includes information auto-populated from sources like:

• Form 26AS – Contains details of TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) and tax payments.
• AIS (Annual Information Statement) – Shows all your reported income sources, financial transactions, and investments.
• TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary) – Provides a summary of taxpayer financial activities.
• Form 16 – Salary details issued by your employer.
• Bank interest and other income sources – FDs, savings accounts, rental income, capital gains, etc.

This data aims to make tax filing easier, but errors often arise due to mismatched records, delays in updates, or incorrect reporting by third parties.

3. Common Errors in Pre-Filled ITR Data

A. Income Mismatch

• Salary discrepancies – Form 16 may show a different salary than what’s reflected in AIS.
• Interest income errors – Many taxpayers forget to report FD/Savings interest, and pre-filled data may not capture everything accurately.
• Rental income missing – If you receive rent but it is not reflected in pre-filled data, you must update it manually.

B. TDS and Tax Payments Discrepancies

• Mismatch between Form 26AS and AIS – Employers, banks, or other deductors may not have updated TDS details properly.
• Incorrect self-assessment or advance tax entries – Sometimes, self-paid taxes are not reflected, leading to under-reporting of paid taxes.
• Duplicate TDS claims – If TDS appears twice due to employer/bank reporting errors, claiming it incorrectly can cause scrutiny.

C. Capital Gains Errors

• Stock market transactions – The IT portal fetches capital gains data from depositories and brokers, but these are often incomplete or misclassified.
• Incorrect classification – Short-term and long-term gains may be miscategorized in pre-filled data, requiring manual correction.
• Real estate gains missing – If you have sold property, but the capital gains are not reflected, you must update them manually.

D. Bank Account Details

• Incorrect refund account – If pre-filled data has outdated bank details, your tax refund may fail.
• Unvalidated accounts – Refunds can only be processed if your bank account is pre-validated in the IT portal.

E. Personal Information Mistakes

• Incorrect PAN/Aadhaar linkage – A mismatch in PAN and Aadhaar details can lead to problems with tax filing and verification.
• Wrong communication details – Ensure your email and phone number are correct to receive IT department notifications.

4. Steps to Correct Pre-Filled ITR Errors

1. Compare Salary with Form 16 – Cross-check salary figures with your Form 16 to avoid discrepancies.
2. Verify TDS from Form 26AS & AIS – Ensure that the TDS deducted by employers, banks, or other sources matches the records.
3. Check Capital Gains Statements – Download reports from your broker or mutual fund providers and correct any errors in the pre-filled data.
4. Update Bank Details – Ensure your bank details are up to date and pre-validated for smooth refund processing.
5. Cross-check Advance Tax & Self-Assessment Payments – Validate any tax payments made manually to avoid under-reporting.
6. Manually Update Any Missing Information – If any income is not reflected, add it manually before filing.
7. Save, Review, and Submit – Always preview your return before submission to avoid errors.

5. Why It’s Important to Verify Pre-Filled Data

Filing an incorrect ITR due to reliance on pre-filled data can lead to severe consequences such as:

• Delayed tax refunds – Any discrepancies can cause refund delays.
• Income tax notices – Mismatch errors can trigger tax scrutiny or demand notices.
• Penalties for under-reporting – Failing to report correct income can result in penalties under the Income Tax Act.
• Legal consequences – In extreme cases, misreporting can lead to prosecution under tax laws.

Ensuring the accuracy of your ITR before submission is critical for a hassle-free tax filing experience.

6. FAQ Section

1. Why does my salary income in pre-filled ITR not match my Form 16?

This may happen due to timing differences in data updates. Always verify manually before filing.

2. My TDS details are incorrect in pre-filled data. What should I do?

Cross-check with Form 26AS and manually update the correct values in your ITR form.

3. How do I correct pre-filled capital gains errors?

Download your broker statement and manually update gains as per the correct classification.

4. What happens if I file my ITR with incorrect pre-filled data?

You may receive a tax notice or experience refund delays due to discrepancies.

5. Can I raise a complaint if pre-filled data is incorrect?

Yes, you can report discrepancies through the IT portal’s grievance section.

6. Is pre-filled data 100% accurate?

No, pre-filled data often contains errors due to reporting delays or mismatches. Always verify before submission.

7. What if my bank details are incorrect in pre-filled data?

Update them manually in the ITR portal and ensure they are pre-validated for refunds.

8. Can I modify pre-filled data before filing?

Yes, you must review and manually update incorrect details before submitting your return.

By following these verification steps, taxpayers can ensure accurate tax filings, avoid penalties, and receive refunds smoothly.