Income Tax Audit Deadline September 30: 5 Key Checks Taxpayers Must Complete Before Filing ITR
With the September 30 income tax audit deadline approaching, taxpayers subject to audit should reconcile their financial records, GST returns, Annual Information Statement (AIS), Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS) and Form 26AS before submitting their income-tax return and tax audit report.
With the September 30 income tax audit deadline approaching, taxpayers subject to audit should reconcile their financial records, GST returns, Annual Information Statement (AIS), Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS) and Form 26AS before submitting their income-tax return and tax audit report.
A mismatch between these records does not automatically mean there is an error. Differences can arise because of transaction timing, duplicate reporting, incorrect information submitted by a reporting entity or differences in accounting treatment. Taxpayers should identify the reason for any mismatch and maintain supporting documents.
Check Books Of Accounts Against GST Returns
Turnover reported in the books of accounts may differ from the turnover disclosed in GST returns. Such a difference should not be treated as an error without examining the underlying records. Income Tax October 2026 Deadlines: Check ITR, TDS, Form 141 and Other Key Due Dates.
Taxpayers should reconcile the figures and document differences arising from accounting treatment, reporting periods, adjustments or other legitimate reasons.
Verify AIS and TIS Entries
AIS and TIS contain financial information reported to the Income Tax Department by banks, financial institutions, employers and other entities. These statements can include details of interest, dividends, securities transactions and business or professional receipts.
Taxpayers should compare AIS and TIS entries with their books, bank statements and other supporting documents. An entry appearing in AIS or TIS does not automatically determine its tax treatment. How To Check Your Income Tax Refund Status Online?
If information is incorrect, taxpayers can submit feedback through the AIS facility and contact the relevant reporting entity for correction where necessary.
Reconcile Form 26AS, TDS and TCS
Taxpayers should check TDS and TCS credits against Form 26AS, AIS and the relevant certificates. Differences may occur because of incorrect PAN details, delayed filing or errors in statements submitted by deductors or collectors.
If tax has been deducted but the credit is not reflected correctly, the deductor may need to file a correction statement. Unresolved discrepancies could affect the tax credit available to the taxpayer.
Compare Tax Audit Report With ITR
Before filing, taxpayers should compare the tax audit report with the income-tax return. Particular attention should be given to income, deductions, tax adjustments, brought-forward losses and unabsorbed depreciation.
Taxpayers should also verify applicable disallowances, including those linked to TDS compliance, certain cash payments, delayed statutory dues and payments to micro and small enterprises.
Five Checks Before September 30
- Books vs GST returns: Reconcile turnover differences.
- Books vs AIS/TIS: Verify reported financial transactions.
- Books vs Form 26AS: Check TDS and TCS credits.
- TDS/TCS certificates vs tax statements: Verify deductor and collector details.
- Tax audit report vs ITR: Cross-check income, deductions, losses and tax adjustments.
A detailed reconciliation before the September 30 tax-audit deadline can help taxpayers identify discrepancies, correct reporting errors and ensure that the figures disclosed in the ITR and tax audit report are properly supported by records.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2026 04:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).