How to Use TaxBuddy’s DIY App to File ITR with AIS and Form 26AS in 2025

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Filing your income tax return correctly depends on one major factor: matching your declared income and taxes paid with the government’s records. That’s where AIS (Annual Information Statement) and Form 26AS come in. These two reports show all income, TDS, investments, and high-value transactions reported to the Income Tax Department.

With the TaxBuddy DIY app, you don’t need to manually fetch or compare these documents. The app integrates your AIS and 26AS details into the ITR filing journey, making it easier to file a precise and error-free return — even if you’re a first-time filer.

This guide explains how to use these two key tools — AIS and Form 26AS — through the TaxBuddy platform for the FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26) return.

What Is Form 26AS?

Form 26AS is your consolidated tax credit statement. It reflects:

• TDS deducted by employers, banks, and others
• Advance tax or self-assessment tax paid
• Refunds issued by the Income Tax Department
• High-value transactions such as mutual fund investments or property sales (limited view)

It is your primary record of taxes paid and must match your ITR entries.

What Is AIS (Annual Information Statement)?

• AIS provides a broader snapshot of your financial activity. It includes:
• Salary and interest income
• Dividend earnings
• Securities and mutual fund transactions
• Rent received, foreign remittances, and more
• TDS and TCS details
• GST transactions (in some cases)

AIS is more detailed than 26AS and often shows unreported or mismatched income, making it essential to verify and reconcile before filing.

Why Use TaxBuddy for AIS & 26AS-Based Filing?

TaxBuddy simplifies the process in the following ways:

• Auto-fetches AIS and 26AS after secure login
• Flags any mismatch between your declared income and government records
• Pre-fills your ITR with correct income and TDS values
• Suggests deductions and corrections to avoid notices
• Provides real-time alerts for common errors like under-reporting

Now let’s look at how you can use these tools step-by-step on the TaxBuddy DIY platform.

Step-by-Step: Filing ITR with AIS & Form 26AS on TaxBuddy

Step 1: Login to the TaxBuddy App

Download and open the TaxBuddy app or use the web version. Log in with your registered mobile number or email ID.

Step 2: Start DIY Filing and Enter Basic Details

Choose the “DIY Tax Filing” option. Enter your PAN, name, date of birth, and other basic details. The app automatically fetches previous filing data if you’ve used the platform earlier.

Step 3: Authorize Secure Access to AIS and 26AS

The app will ask for your consent to fetch AIS and Form 26AS from the income tax portal. This is done securely via your PAN-based login and OTP-based verification.

Once verified, the system pulls:

• Salary and income details from AIS
• Tax deducted or paid from Form 26AS
• Interest income from banks
• Mutual fund redemptions, dividend income, rent, and more

Step 4: Review the Imported Data

TaxBuddy shows a summary of the auto-imported information including:

• Income from salary, interest, capital gains
• TDS credited to your PAN
• Deductions available under Sections 80C, 80D, 80TTA, etc.

You’ll also see a mismatch alert if AIS shows something you haven’t declared yet — like interest from a savings account or dividend from stocks.

Step 5: Add Any Missing Income or Claim Deductions

Not everything appears in AIS or Form 26AS. You should:

• Add rental income, if applicable
• Declare freelance or side gig earnings
• Enter any capital gains not reported in AIS
• Claim deductions for LIC, PPF, tuition fees, health insurance, or donations

The TaxBuddy app prompts you where needed and suggests commonly missed entries like 80TTA, 80GG, or 80E.

Step 6: Choose the Right ITR Form

Based on your income type, the app suggests the correct ITR form (ITR-1, ITR-2, etc.). You can also manually switch if needed.

Step 7: Tax Regime Comparison

TaxBuddy automatically calculates your tax liability under both the old and new regimes. It highlights which one gives you better savings.

If you’ve claimed deductions like HRA or 80C, the old regime might be better. If your income is straightforward and you haven’t claimed deductions, the new regime could be more tax-efficient.

Step 8: Validate and Submit Your Return

Once everything is filled and verified, click “Validate” to check for errors. TaxBuddy scans your ITR and alerts you to:

• Mismatched income or TDS
• Missing bank account for refund
• Invalid deduction amounts
• High-value transactions not explained

After resolving any issues, click Submit Return and complete e-verification through Aadhaar OTP, bank login, or DSC (if applicable).

Step 9: Track Refund and Status

Post filing, TaxBuddy tracks:

• Acknowledgment from the Income Tax Department
• Processing status of your ITR
• Refund progress and UTR once released
• Any notices or actions required

All updates are visible directly in the app dashboard — no need to log in to the IT portal separately.

Benefits of Using AIS & 26AS with TaxBuddy

• Avoids mismatch errors that could trigger notices
• Ensures TDS credits are fully claimed
• Reduces manual entry and filing time
• Helps spot unreported income (interest, dividend, capital gains)
• Improves refund accuracy and speed

What to Do If There’s a Mismatch

If your AIS shows income you haven’t declared or you believe is incorrect, TaxBuddy allows you to:

• Mark entries as inaccurate (with reasons)
• Add explanations for discrepancies
• Raise corrections with your bank or financial institution, if needed

You can still file your return while marking such items for future resolution.

Who Should Use AIS and 26AS-Based Filing?

This method is useful for:

• Salaried individuals with interest and dividend income
• Freelancers who want to double-check reported income
• Investors with capital gains or mutual fund redemptions
• Anyone wanting to file a clean, fully reconciled ITR

Conclusion

Using AIS and Form 26AS is no longer just for experts. With TaxBuddy’s DIY app, anyone can access, interpret, and match their income data securely and easily. This ensures that your return is complete, compliant, and refund-ready.

If you want peace of mind and smarter automation this filing season, try using TaxBuddy’s AIS and 26AS integration — and file your taxes the right way in 2025.