Who needs to file/pay
Tax depends on income level, age, regime, deductions and whether filing is mandatory due to transactions, refunds, foreign assets or other conditions.
Five heads of income
- Salary.
- House property.
- Profits and gains of business/profession.
- Capital gains.
- Other sources such as interest and dividends.
Key concepts
- Tax slabs and rebate.
- Old versus new regime.
- Deductions and exemptions.
- TDS and TCS credits.
- AIS and Form 26AS.
- Refund and demand.
First-time checklist
- PAN and bank pre-validation.
- Form 16.
- AIS review.
- Interest income.
- Investment proofs.
- Choose correct ITR form.
- E-verify after filing.
Income Tax Basics for Beginners in India: year and source check
Last fact-checked: 25 May 2026.
AY 2026-27 means FY 2025-26 income under the Income-tax Act, 1961. Tax Year 2026-27 means FY 2026-27 income under the Income Tax Act, 2025. Do not mix the two labels.
For AY 2026-27, check the ITR utility, validation rules and official e-filing guidance before relying on secondary summaries.
Use official portal pages, CBDT notifications, the supplied Act PDF and ICAI material before making a filing, payroll, TDS/TCS or rebate decision.
FAQs
Which year should I use for Income Tax Basics for Beginners in India?
Use AY 2026-27 for FY 2025-26 income under the Income-tax Act, 1961. Use Tax Year 2026-27 for FY 2026-27 income under the Income Tax Act, 2025.
What documents should I share with a tax expert?
Share the portal screenshot, exact year, income breakup, certificates, AIS/Form 26AS, notices, challans and any computation already prepared.
Can WorkIndex help me find a specialist?
Yes. Post a requirement with the legal year, records and deadline so experts can quote on the real issue instead of a generic page title.
Income Tax Basics for Beginners in India: year and source check
Last fact-checked: 25 May 2026.
AY 2026-27 means FY 2025-26 income under the Income-tax Act, 1961. Tax Year 2026-27 means FY 2026-27 income under the Income Tax Act, 2025. Do not mix the two labels.
For AY 2026-27, check the ITR utility, validation rules and official e-filing guidance before relying on secondary summaries.
Use official portal pages, CBDT notifications, the supplied Act PDF and ICAI material before making a filing, payroll, TDS/TCS or rebate decision.
What to verify for Income Tax Basics for Beginners in India
- Correct financial year, assessment year or tax year.
- Taxpayer type, age category, residential status and business/profession status.
- Exact income heads, including salary, house property, business/profession, capital gains, VDA and other sources.
- AIS/TIS, Form 26AS, TDS/TCS certificates, challans and portal pre-fill.
- Deductions/exemptions allowed in the selected regime and current ITR utility validation rules.
- Whether the issue is a calculation, filing, notice response, rectification, appeal or advisory position.
Income Tax Basics for Beginners in India: year and source check
Last fact-checked: 25 May 2026.
AY 2026-27 means FY 2025-26 income under the Income-tax Act, 1961. Tax Year 2026-27 means FY 2026-27 income under the Income Tax Act, 2025. Do not mix the two labels.
For AY 2026-27, check the ITR utility, validation rules and official e-filing guidance before relying on secondary summaries.
Use official portal pages, CBDT notifications, the supplied Act PDF and ICAI material before making a filing, payroll, TDS/TCS or rebate decision.
What to verify for Income Tax Basics for Beginners in India
- Correct financial year, assessment year or tax year.
- Taxpayer type, age category, residential status and business/profession status.
- Exact income heads, including salary, house property, business/profession, capital gains, VDA and other sources.
- AIS/TIS, Form 26AS, TDS/TCS certificates, challans and portal pre-fill.
- Deductions/exemptions allowed in the selected regime and current ITR utility validation rules.
- Whether the issue is a calculation, filing, notice response, rectification, appeal or advisory position.