How to Check Annual Information Statement (AIS) Before Filing Your Income Tax Return

How to Check Annual Information Statement (AIS) Before Filing Your Income Tax Return image

How to Check Annual Information Statement (AIS) Before Filing Your Income Tax Return

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) without checking your Annual Information Statement (AIS) can lead to mistakes, tax notices, or delayed refunds. Before submitting your return, every taxpayer should verify the information available in AIS to ensure that all income and tax-related details are accurate.

In this guide, we explain what AIS is, why it is important, and how you can check it before filing your ITR for AY 2026-27.

What is the Annual Information Statement (AIS)?

The Annual Information Statement (AIS) is a comprehensive statement available on the Income Tax e-Filing portal. It provides a detailed summary of your financial transactions reported to the Income Tax Department by banks, employers, mutual funds, stock brokers, and other reporting entities.

AIS helps taxpayers verify their financial information before filing an Income Tax Return.

Why Should You Check AIS Before Filing ITR?

Checking AIS before filing your return helps you:

Verify salary income reported by your employer.
Match TDS and TCS details.
Check bank interest income.
Verify dividend income.
Review mutual fund and share transactions.
Confirm high-value financial transactions.
Avoid mismatches that may result in Income Tax notices.
File an accurate Income Tax Return.
Receive faster processing and refunds.

Information Available in AIS

Your Annual Information Statement may contain details such as:

Salary income
Interest from savings and fixed deposits
Dividend income
Rent received (where applicable)
TDS and TCS information
GST-related information (where applicable)
Purchase and sale of securities
Mutual fund transactions
Foreign remittances
Property transactions
Cash deposits and withdrawals (reported transactions)
Tax payments
Refund details

Step-by-Step Guide to Check AIS Before Filing ITR

Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal

Open the official Income Tax e-Filing portal and log in using your PAN, password, and OTP.

Step 2: Login to Your Account

Enter your credentials and complete the authentication process.

Step 3: Go to Services

After logging in, click on Services from the top menu.

Step 4: Select Annual Information Statement (AIS)

Choose Annual Information Statement (AIS) from the Services menu.

A new window will open.

Step 5: Open AIS Portal

Click on Proceed to access the AIS portal.

Step 6: Select Financial Year

Choose the relevant Financial Year for which you are filing your Income Tax Return.

Example:

Financial Year: 2025-26
Assessment Year: 2026-27

Step 7: Review All Information Carefully

Verify all reported information, including:

Salary
Interest income
Dividend
TDS
Mutual fund transactions
Share trading
Tax payments
Other reported transactions

Compare these details with:

Form 16
Form 26AS
Bank statements
Capital gain statements
Investment records

Step 8: Download AIS PDF

You can also download the AIS in PDF format for future reference while filing your ITR.

What If Information in AIS Is Incorrect?

If you notice incorrect or missing information in AIS, you can submit feedback directly through the AIS portal.

Examples include:

Duplicate transaction
Incorrect amount
Information belongs to another person
Transaction not taxable
Information is partially correct

The feedback helps improve the accuracy of your tax records.

Difference Between AIS and Form 26AS

Form 26AS	AIS
Shows TDS, TCS and tax payments	Shows complete financial information
Limited tax details	Detailed financial transactions
Smaller report	Comprehensive statement
Primarily tax credits	Income, investments, securities, interest, dividends and more

AIS provides a much broader view of your financial information than Form 26AS.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Filing ITR without checking AIS.
Ignoring bank interest income.
Forgetting dividend income.
Not reporting capital gains.
Ignoring foreign asset information (if applicable).
Failing to verify TDS entries.
Filing based only on Form 16.

Benefits of Checking AIS Before Filing ITR

Accurate Income Tax Return
Lower chances of receiving notices
Better tax compliance
Faster refund processing
Fewer mismatches
Complete reporting of income
Peace of mind during assessment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Annual Information Statement (AIS)?

The Annual Information Statement (AIS) is a detailed statement available on the Income Tax e-Filing portal that contains information about your income, TDS, bank interest, dividends, securities transactions, mutual fund investments, tax payments, and other financial activities reported to the Income Tax Department.

2. Is it mandatory to check AIS before filing ITR?

While it is not legally mandatory, checking AIS is highly recommended. It helps you verify your financial information, avoid errors, and reduce the chances of receiving an Income Tax notice.

3. How can I access my AIS?

You can access your AIS by logging into the Income Tax e-Filing portal using your PAN, password, and OTP. Navigate to Services → Annual Information Statement (AIS) to view your statement.

4. What details are available in AIS?

AIS includes information such as:

Salary income
TDS and TCS
Bank interest
Dividend income
Mutual fund transactions
Share transactions
Property transactions
Tax payments
Refund details
Other specified financial transactions

5. What should I do if I find incorrect information in AIS?

If you notice incorrect or duplicate information, you can submit feedback directly through the AIS portal. The Income Tax Department reviews the feedback and updates records where applicable.

6. What is the difference between AIS and Form 26AS?

Form 26AS mainly shows tax-related information such as TDS, TCS, and tax payments. AIS is more comprehensive and includes additional financial transactions like interest income, dividends, securities, mutual funds, and other reported information.

7. Can I file my ITR without checking AIS?

Yes, you can file your ITR without checking AIS, but it is not advisable. Missing income or incorrect reporting may lead to tax notices, revised returns, or delays in refund processing.

8. Does AIS show bank interest income?

Yes. AIS generally displays interest earned from savings accounts, fixed deposits (FDs), recurring deposits (RDs), and other bank accounts reported by financial institutions.

9. Does AIS include stock market and mutual fund transactions?

Yes. AIS may include information related to the purchase and sale of shares, mutual fund investments, dividends, and certain capital market transactions reported by intermediaries.

10. Can I download my Annual Information Statement?

Yes. After logging into the AIS portal, you can download your Annual Information Statement in PDF or JSON format for reference while filing your Income Tax Return.

11. How often is AIS updated?

AIS is updated periodically as reporting entities such as banks, employers, stock exchanges, mutual funds, and other financial institutions submit information to the Income Tax Department.

12. Why is checking AIS important before filing ITR?

Reviewing AIS helps ensure that all your income and financial transactions are correctly reported, minimizes the risk of errors, prevents tax notices, and enables faster processing of your Income Tax Return and refund.

Final Thoughts

The Annual Information Statement (AIS) has become one of the most important documents for Income Tax Return filing. Before submitting your ITR, take a few minutes to review every transaction listed in AIS. This simple step can help you avoid mistakes, reduce the chances of receiving tax notices, and ensure that your return is processed smoothly.

If any information appears incorrect, submit feedback through the AIS portal before filing your return whenever possible. A careful review today can save you time and effort later.

Need Expert Help with ITR Filing?

If you need professional assistance in reviewing your AIS, calculating your tax liability, or filing your Income Tax Return accurately, MyCASathi is here to help. Our experienced Chartered Accountants can guide you through every step of the ITR filing process, ensuring compliance with the latest tax rules and minimizing the risk of errors.