The ReturnDone blog

Guides for getting your return done right

Deadlines, documents, regimes and refunds — practical notes, reviewed by Chartered Accountants.

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ITR Filing Guide AY 2026-27: Last Date, Documents, Forms & Process

A complete, up-to-date guide to filing your income tax return for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) — the 31 July 2026 deadline, which ITR form to file, documents needed, new vs old regime, e-verification and late-filing penalties. 12 Jul 2026· 12 min read
Tax planning Tax planning

New vs Old Tax Regime AY 2026-27: Which One Saves You More?

New regime vs old regime for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) — the updated slabs, the ₹12 lakh rebate that makes income up to ₹12.75 lakh tax-free for salaried filers, and a simple way to pick the regime that saves you more. 12 Jul 2026 · 10 min read Guides Guides

Which ITR Form Should You File? ITR-1 to ITR-4 (AY 2026-27)

Confused between ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3 and ITR-4 for AY 2026-27? A plain-English guide to picking the right income tax return form based on your income sources. 12 Jul 2026 · 7 min read Guides Guides

ITR Last Date & Late-Filing Penalty AY 2026-27 (Section 234F)

The last date to file your ITR for AY 2026-27, what happens if you miss it, and the Section 234F late fee (₹5,000 / ₹1,000) plus interest and lost benefits. 12 Jul 2026 · 5 min read Guides Guides

Documents Required to File ITR AY 2026-27 (Salaried, Investor, Freelancer)

The complete document checklist to file your income tax return for AY 2026-27 — Form 16, AIS, 26AS, bank and investment statements, and deduction proofs. 12 Jul 2026 · 5 min read Guides Guides

How to E-Verify Your ITR (AY 2026-27): Aadhaar OTP & the 30-Day Rule

Your ITR isn't filed until you e-verify. Here's how to e-verify with Aadhaar OTP or net banking within 30 days, and what happens if you don't. 12 Jul 2026 · 4 min read Tax planning Tax planning

₹12 Lakh Tax-Free? Section 87A Rebate Explained (AY 2026-27)

How the Section 87A rebate makes income up to ₹12 lakh (₹12.75 lakh salaried) tax-free under the new regime for AY 2026-27 — plus the capital-gains trap most people miss. 12 Jul 2026 · 5 min read Investing Investing

Capital Gains Tax on Shares & Mutual Funds AY 2026-27 (STCG & LTCG)

How your stock and mutual-fund gains are taxed for AY 2026-27 — STCG at 20%, LTCG at 12.5% over ₹1.25 lakh, and why the ₹12 lakh rebate doesn't cover them. 12 Jul 2026 · 9 min read Investing Investing

How to Report RSU & ESOP in Your ITR (AY 2026-27)

RSUs and ESOPs are taxed twice — as salary perquisite at vesting and as capital gains at sale. Here's how to report both correctly in your AY 2026-27 return. 12 Jul 2026 · 6 min read Tax planning Tax planning

HRA Exemption AY 2026-27: How to Claim (Even Rent to Parents)

How House Rent Allowance (HRA) exemption is calculated for AY 2026-27, the documents you need, and how to claim it correctly — including when you pay rent to your parents. 12 Jul 2026 · 8 min read Tax planning Tax planning

80C, 80D & Top Old-Regime Deductions AY 2026-27

The deductions that make the old regime worth it — 80C up to ₹1.5 lakh, 80D health insurance, home-loan interest and more, for AY 2026-27. 12 Jul 2026 · 9 min read Guides Guides

AIS & Form 26AS: Reconcile Before You File Your ITR

AIS and 26AS are what the tax department already knows about your income. Reconciling them before filing is the single best way to avoid a tax notice. 12 Jul 2026 · 5 min read Freelancers Freelancers

ITR for Freelancers: Presumptive Taxation 44ADA (AY 2026-27)

Freelancers and professionals can declare 50% of receipts as income under Section 44ADA (up to ₹75 lakh) and skip detailed books. Here's how it works for AY 2026-27. 12 Jul 2026 · 6 min read Guides Guides

How to Check Your ITR Refund Status (AY 2026-27)

How to track your income-tax refund for AY 2026-27, how long it takes, and what to do if it's delayed or fails. 12 Jul 2026 · 4 min read Guides Guides

Got an Income Tax Notice? Common Reasons & What to Do

The most common income-tax notices (143(1), 139(9), AIS mismatch), what each means, and the steps to respond calmly and correctly. 12 Jul 2026 · 7 min read Guides Guides

Belated, Revised & Updated (ITR-U) Returns AY 2026-27

Missed the deadline or made a mistake? The difference between belated, revised and updated (ITR-U) returns for AY 2026-27 — deadlines, penalties and how to fix your return. 12 Jul 2026 · 6 min read
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