New Delhi, May 21 -- As the income tax filing season gathers pace, taxpayers should begin preparing their returns well in advance to avoid last-minute stress. Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27 can become a smooth and hassle-free process if you plan your submission carefully and keep all essential documents ready beforehand.

With the income tax department already rolling out the ITR-1 and ITR-4 utilities, taxpayers should now start organising their financial records for Financial Year (FY) 2025-26.

Whether you are a salaried employee, freelancer, business owner or investor, having the right documents in place can help you avoid filing errors, notices, missing information and unnecessary confusion during...