Income Tax Return filing: A checklist of essential documents required for filing ITR FY 23-24

Income Tax Return Filing: With the right preparation and understanding of the required documents, the ITR filing process can be a smooth and efficient experience. Enlisted below are the essential documents required for filing income tax returns for FY 2023–24.

ITR Filing FY 23-24 Important Documents: With the filing process becoming more streamlined and digitised today, organising the required documents is an important part of the process, (Source: Freepik)

ITR Filing Document Checklist: The tax season is here. Income tax is a tax paid on the income and profits people and entities earn, and filing the Income Tax Return (ITR) is a crucial annual task for taxpayers in India. In addition to being a legal requirement, fulfilling one’s tax obligations ensures a contribution to the government’s finances and national development, while providing additional benefits to taxpayers.

As the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITR) for the financial year 2023–24 approaches Wednesday, July 31, 2024, taxpayers must be vigilant and stay up-to-date with all the necessary information for filing taxes to avoid penalties and scrutinies.

With the filing process becoming more streamlined and digitised today, organising the required documents is an important part of the process, as the Income Tax Department requires taxpayers to submit various documents to substantiate their income, deductions, and tax payments.

Story continues below this ad

Check | 10 common mistakes to avoid while filing ITR in India

In addition to choosing the correct ITR form applicable to them, here’s a comprehensive list of the papers one will need while filing an ITR in India, as failing to provide them can lead to delays, additional scrutiny, or even penalties.

ITR Filing FY 23–24: General Documents

PAN (Permanent Account Number)
Aadhaar Number
Bank account details
TDS certificates (Form 16, Form 16A, and Form 26AS)
Tax payment challans
Investment proofs (for deductions under sections 80C, 80D, 80E, 80TTA, etc.)

ITR Filing FY 23–24: Documents Required for ‘Salaried Income’

Form 16 (Salary Certificate)
Pension certificate
Arrears in salary documents
Full and Final Settlement (F&F) documents
Rent agreements or rent receipts (for HRA claims)
Travel bills
PF withdrawal documents
Gratuity or leave encashment records
Joining or relocation bonus documents
Foreign salary slips and tax returns

ITR Filing FY 23–24: Documents Required for ‘Income from Other Sources’

Bank passbook, post office savings passbook, statements, and interest certificates
Dividend warrants
Form 26AS
Accrued interest documents
Lottery income records
Agricultural income documents
Clubbed income documents

ITR Filing FY 23–24: Documents Required for ‘Income from House Property’

Rent agreement
Interest certificate from the bank
Property address
Co-owner details
Receipts of municipality taxes paid
Form 16A on rent
Details of pre-construction interest
Documents proving ownership
Home loan processing charges and foreclosure charge receipts

ITR Filing FY 23–24: Documents Required for ‘Capital Gains’

Purchase and sale deeds
Transfer expenses incurred
Purchase deed in case of reinvestment

ITR Filing FY 23–24: Documents Required for ‘Tax-Saving Investments’

Receipts for investments in ELSS, PPF, EPF, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, tax-saving fixed deposits, SCSS
Receipts for donations made
Education loan interest-paid receipts
Receipts for Mediclaim insurance (for self and family)
Receipts for all other investments