10 ITR Checks: Avoid Notices & Save ₹5,000

Before you hit 'submit' on your ITR this season, run through 10 key checks — from PAN details to capital gains — to avoid defective returns, tax notices, and delayed refunds.

Here's what happened: ITR filing season is open and millions of Indians rush to file early, often making avoidable errors that trigger defective return notices from the Income Tax Department.. Common mistakes include mismatched PAN details, incorrect bank account numbers, missing Form 26AS entries, and unreported capital gains from mutual funds or stocks.. A defective return under Section 139(9) gives you only 15 days to correct it — missing that window can mean your return is treated as not filed at all..

What you should do: Download your Form 26AS and AIS (Annual Information Statement) from the IT portal and cross-check every income entry before entering figures in your ITR.. Verify your pre-filled ITR data carefully — check PAN, name spelling, bank IFSC code, and account number to ensure your refund reaches you without delays.. Check your capital gains statements from all mutual fund platforms (Zerodha, Groww, CAMS, KFintech) and report them accurately under the correct ITR form — ITR-2 or ITR-3..

If your employer has deducted excess TDS, file before July 31 to claim your refund faster — late filers often wait 4–6 months longer for refund processing.

For readers weighing their credit and loan options, our personal loan guide and CIBIL score resources put this update in context.