New Delhi, May 9 -- Choosing the correct Income Tax Return (ITR) form is one of the first and most important steps while filing returns for Assessment Year 2026-27. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had notified all ITR forms on March 31, allowing businesses, individuals, and other entities to start filing their income tax returns for the financial year 2025-26.

While the income tax portal technically opens on April 1, actual return filing usually begins only after the backend systems and forms are fully updated and stabilised. As a result, ITR filing activity typically gains pace around mid-May.

The applicable form for salaried taxpayers differ from that of freelancers and professionals, depending entirely on income sources. Fac...