Understanding Form 26AS and AIS: Why You Must Check Them Before Filing ITR (2026)
Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) in 2026 is no longer just about your salary slip or Form 16. The Income Tax Department now tracks most of your financial activity through two powerful tools — Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS).
If your ITR does not match the data shown in these reports, you may receive an Intimation u/s 143(1) with a tax demand or reduced refund.
What is Form 26AS?
Think of Form 26AS as your personal tax passbook. It shows all the taxes already paid to the government on your behalf.
- TDS deducted by your employer or bank
- TCS collected on specific transactions
- Advance tax and self-assessment tax paid by you
- High-value transactions reported by banks and institutions
If a tax credit does not appear in Form 26AS, the department usually treats it as not paid.
What is AIS (Annual Information Statement)?
The Annual Information Statement (AIS) is a much broader financial report. It shows almost all income and investment activities linked to your PAN.
- Savings and Fixed Deposit interest
- Stock market buy/sell transactions
- Mutual fund investments and redemptions
- Dividend income and rental income
- Foreign remittances and high-value purchases
Along with AIS, you will also see TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary), which gives a simplified category-wise summary used to pre-fill your ITR.
Key Differences: Form 26AS vs AIS
| Feature | Form 26AS | AIS (Annual Information Statement) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Focus | Tax credits (TDS/TCS) | Complete financial activity |
| Data Source | Employers & tax deductors | Banks, registrars, exchanges |
| Error Correction | Deductor must file correction | Taxpayer can give online feedback |
How to Download AIS and 26AS (Step-by-Step)
- Login to the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
- For Form 26AS: Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Form 26AS (redirects to TRACES).
- For AIS: Click on the AIS tab on the dashboard.
- Select the Assessment Year and download the PDF.
Important FAQs
Q: What if the information shown in AIS is wrong?
AIS allows you to submit online feedback. You can mark entries as duplicate, non-taxable, or incorrect directly in the portal.
Q: Which one matters more while filing ITR?
You must review both, but AIS/TIS is what the department mainly uses to validate your return.
Q: What is the password for the AIS PDF?
Password format: PAN (CAPITAL) + Date of Birth (DDMMYYYY)
Example: ABCDE1234F01011990
Pro Tip: Check your AIS at least once every quarter. This helps you catch missing TDS, incorrect income reporting, or suspicious transactions well before tax-filing season.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. We are not tax consultants. For official guidance, always refer to the Income Tax Department portal or consult a qualified Chartered Accountant.
