A delayed ITR could prompt greater scrutiny, document requests or processing delays.
Tax treatment depends on the activity and manner of earning income.
'AIS helps taxpayers check whether all income streams and reportable transactions -- such as interest from old bank accounts, small dividend receipts or transactions across multiple brokers -- have been properly disclosed.' 'Mismatches between these transactions and declared income may trigger automated notices or scrutiny.'
With more granular reporting and enhanced data matching, mismatches are likely to be identified more quickly.
Recent changes to tax exemptions and allowances, including increased education, hostel, and HRA limits, have made the old tax regime more competitive against the new regime, prompting salaried employees to re-evaluate their choice for the current financial year.
A key mistake would be continuing to rely on provisions of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, where the new law now applies, and vice versa.
The Budget offers a limited-time regularisation window with clear thresholds, defined payments, and immunity from penalty or prosecution.
Filing a belated return is far better than not filing at all.
The most common mistake is investing without assessing suitability and long-term implications.
