ITR Filing 2025: The “Checklist for Preparation of ITR Forms (ITR-1 & ITR-4)” for AY 2025-26 has been brought out by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). In August 2025, it was issued by the Direct Taxes Committee of the ICAI. The checklist has been prepared so that taxpayers and chartered accountants are helped in filing returns correctly, in line with the latest instructions.
What’s New & Why It Matters
In the checklist, a brief is provided on who can file ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-4 (Sugam), which forms are required, the step-by-step procedure to be followed for filing, and field-by-field validation so that mistakes leading to notices (such as mismatches, missing disclosures, or wrong schedules) are not committed. The notified ITR utilities for AY 2025-26 on the Income Tax e-Filing portal are also reflected in it.
Key Takeaways For ITR Filing 2025
- ITR-1 (Sahaj) is for resident individuals with total income up to ₹50 lakh from salary/family pension, one house property, and other sources (no lotteries/race horses), plus agricultural income up to ₹5,000 and limited LTCG u/s 112A—subject to conditions listed by ICAI.
Do not use ITR-1 if you have capital gains beyond limits, multiple house properties, business income, or other exclusions mentioned. - ITR-4 (Sugam) is for presumptive income under 44AD/44ADA/44AE (individuals/HUFs/firms other than LLPs), with detailed Schedule BP guidance and verification steps. If you don’t qualify for presumptive schemes or cross limits, shift to the correct ITR.
- Pre-filing prep: Verify PAN–Aadhaar, pre-validate bank account, reconcile Form 26AS/AIS/TIS, and keep interest certificates, rent details, housing loan statements, and deduction proofs ready.
- Field-wise checks the ICAI list covers:
- Part A (general info): residential status, employer category, bank details.
- Income sections (salary/HP/other sources or presumptive): correct heads, exemptions, standard deduction, interest reporting.
- Deductions & tax computation: Chapter VI-A entries, rebate, surcharge/cess, and Schedule IT/TDS/TCS accuracy.
- Verification: correct capacity/name/date to avoid invalid return.
Download the latest AY 2025-26 utilities here and follow the ICAI checklist for error-free filing.
Also Check: ICAI Clears New Profit and Loss Account Format.
