{"id":579,"date":"2026-04-17T01:22:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T19:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.utilra.com\/blog\/?p=579"},"modified":"2026-04-17T17:45:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T12:15:52","slug":"itr-filing-guide-2026-salaried-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.utilra.com\/blog\/itr-filing-guide-2026-salaried-employees\/","title":{"rendered":"ITR Filing 2026 \u2014 The Two-Tab Trap and How to File Right"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ITR Filing 2026 \u2014 The Two-Tab Trap and How to File Right<\/h1>\n

If you’re doing ITR filing 2026<\/strong>, there’s a new problem no one prepared you for.<\/p>\n

I logged into the income tax portal last week and almost filed my return under the wrong law. The screen showed two tabs side by side. One said Income Tax Act, 1961. The other said Income Tax Act, 2025. No tooltip. No explanation. Just two tabs and a choice that could invalidate everything.<\/p>\n

This is the first year both Acts are live on the same portal, and I suspect millions of salaried employees will hit the same confusion in June and July. So here’s what I figured out after thirty minutes of panicked Googling, written so you don’t have to do the same.<\/p>\n

The Two-Tab Problem on the Income Tax Portal<\/h2>\n

When you log into the income tax portal<\/a> this year, the filing section shows two options. Tab 1 covers AY 2026-27, which is the return for income you earned between April 2025 and March 2026. This runs under the old Income Tax Act, 1961. Your Form 16, your deductions, your HRA claims \u2014 everything from the past financial year sits under this tab.<\/p>\n

Tab 2 covers Tax Year 2026-27 under the new Income Tax Act, 2025. That return isn’t due until July 2027. You don’t need it. Don’t click it. Don’t explore it out of curiosity while your session is active. Just stay on Tab 1.<\/p>\n

The reason both exist is a transition phase. The old law handles income till March 2026. The new law applies from April 2026 onward. For ITR filing 2026<\/strong>, only the old Act matters.<\/p>\n

ITR Filing 2026 Deadlines: What Changed This Year<\/h2>\n

Until recently, most salaried individuals had the same July 31 deadline. That\u2019s no longer true.<\/p>\n

If you file ITR-1 or ITR-2, your deadline is still July 31, 2026.<\/p>\n

If you file ITR-3 or ITR-4 (business or freelance income), your deadline is now August 31.<\/p>\n

The revised return deadline has also moved to March 31, 2027. That\u2019s more time to fix mistakes without penalties.<\/p>\n

\"itr<\/p>\n

ITR Filing 2026: Three Documents You Should Download First<\/h2>\n

Before starting ITR filing 2026<\/strong>, I download three documents.<\/p>\n

First, Form 16 from my employer. For FY 2025-26, it\u2019s still Form 16. The new
\nForm 130<\/a> applies from the next financial year.<\/p>\n

Second, the Annual Information Statement (AIS). This shows all financial activity the government already tracks \u2014 interest, investments, high-value transactions.<\/p>\n

Third, Form 26AS showing TDS credits. Always match this with Form 16, especially if you changed jobs.<\/p>\n

ITR Filing 2026 Forms: Choosing the Right ITR<\/h2>\n

This is where many people make mistakes during ITR filing 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If you sold even one mutual fund or stock, you cannot use ITR-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Your Income Sources<\/th>\nForm to Use<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Salary only, under 50 lakh, no capital gains<\/td>\nITR-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Salary plus stocks, mutual funds, or property<\/td>\nITR-2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Salary plus freelance or business income<\/td>\nITR-3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Presumptive income (44AD \/ 44ADA)<\/td>\nITR-4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

If you’re unsure, ITR-2 is safer than ITR-1.<\/p>\n

ITR Filing 2026: Pre-Filled Data Can Still Be Wrong<\/h2>\n

The portal now auto-fills a lot of data.<\/p>\n

But during my own ITR filing 2026<\/strong>, I\u2019ve seen errors:<\/p>\n