Form 26AS, AIS & TIS — How to Reconcile Before Filing Your Return

Form 26AS, AIS & TIS — How to Reconcile Before Filing

Filing your ITR without checking these three documents first is one of the most common causes of mismatch notices later. Here’s what each one shows, and how to use them together.

The Three Documents

Why Three Documents Instead of One

Form 26AS was historically the primary reference, but it only captured tax-deduction-related data. AIS was introduced to capture a far wider range of financial information reported by banks, mutual funds, registrars, and other entities — even transactions where no TDS applied. TIS then distils all of this AIS data into a simpler, actionable summary that feeds directly into your pre-filled ITR.

The Reconciliation Process

1.          Download all three from the income tax e-filing portal before you start filing.

2.          Cross-check TDS entries in Form 26AS against your own Form 130/131 certificates (salary/non-salary TDS certificates) — amounts should match exactly.

3.          Review AIS entries for accuracy — banks and brokers sometimes misreport transaction details, and AIS allows you to submit feedback disputing incorrect entries.

4.          Compare TIS pre-filled data against your actual computation — don’t blindly accept the pre-filled figures; verify each category against your own records.

5.          Flag discrepancies using the AIS feedback mechanism before filing, rather than filing first and dealing with a mismatch notice later.

Common Mismatches to Watch For

•             Employer TDS delay: If your employer hasn’t yet filed their quarterly TDS return, your Form 130 salary TDS might not appear in Form 26AS/AIS yet, even though it was actually deducted.

•             Duplicate broker reporting: Multiple brokers or fund houses occasionally report the same transaction, inflating your apparent capital gains in AIS.

•             Interest income timing: Banks may report accrued interest differently from what you’ve calculated on a cash basis, especially for fixed deposits spanning multiple years.

Worked Example

An investor’s AIS shows ₹4,50,000 in equity capital gains, but their own broker statement shows ₹3,80,000. On investigation, they find a bonus-share allotment was mistakenly double-counted by the reporting entity. They submit feedback through the AIS portal disputing the entry, and file their return based on their own verified ₹3,80,000 figure — keeping documentation ready in case of a later query.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Should I file my ITR based on the pre-filled AIS/TIS figures, or my own calculations? File based on your own accurate calculations, using AIS/TIS as a cross-check — pre-filled data can contain errors, and you remain responsible for the accuracy of your return regardless of what was pre-filled.

Q2. What if I dispute an AIS entry but the reporting entity doesn’t correct it? Your feedback is recorded and considered during any future assessment; maintain your own supporting documents (contract notes, bank statements) to substantiate your position if questioned later.

Q3. How often should I check these documents? Check them close to your filing date (since data updates through the year as more entities report), and ideally do a mid-year check too, to catch discrepancies early rather than at the last minute before your deadline.

Reflects the framework applicable for Tax Year 2026-27. Form 26AS is now referenced as Form 168 under the Income Tax Act, 2025.

Disclaimer

This content is shared strictly for general information and knowledge purposes only. Readers should independently verify the information from reliable sources. It is not intended to provide legal, professional, or advisory guidance. The author and the organisation disclaim all liability arising from the use of this content. The material has been prepared with the assistance of AI tools.