New Delhi, May 26 -- Filing an income tax return (ITR) for the first time can feel confusing, especially with different ITR forms and new compliance rules. Many first-time taxpayers often rely on entirely pre-filled data or choose the wrong form without understanding whether it matches their income profile.

If there are mismatches or missing details in your return, it can delay your tax refund and may even attract penalties or notices from the income tax department, hence its crucial to report everything properly. For salaried taxpayers who are not required to undergo an audit, the deadline to file ITR for the financial year 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is 31 July 2026, unless extended.

Four easy steps first-time taxpayers should follow while f...