A tax notice sounds scary — but most first-time filers get them simply because they missed a document, not because they did anything wrong.
If you started your first job this year, you're likely filing an ITR for the first time, and the deadline is July 31.
Getting your paperwork together now takes 20 minutes and protects your refund — which could be anywhere from ₹5,000 to ₹30,000+ depending on how much TDS (Tax Deducted at Source — the tax your employer already cut from your pay) was taken out.
What this means for you
- If TDS was deducted from your salary, you're probably owed a refund — but only if you file correctly and on time.
- A mismatch between your Form 26AS (a government record of all the tax deducted on your behalf) and what you declare is the top reason first-timers get a tax notice — and it's easily avoidable.
- Missing your July 31 deadline means a ₹5,000 late fee and a delayed refund.
What you can do
- Gather these right now: Form 16 (from your employer), PAN card, Aadhaar, bank account details, and your Form 26AS from the IT portal — that's honestly most of what you need.
- Log in to incometax.gov.in, download your AIS (Annual Information Statement) and cross-check it with your Form 16 before you file — this one step prevents most notices.
You're not behind — you just need 30 minutes and the right documents, and you're done for the year.
Grow with clarity 🌱