Income tax return: seven documents to keep ready before you file

1. Form 16 from your employer.
2. Bank and post-office interest certificates.
3. Capital-gains statements from your broker.
4. Proof of home-loan interest.
5. Rent receipts if you claim HRA.
6. Insurance premium receipts.
7. Aadhaar and bank account details.

This is a demo explainer. Rules and limits here are fictional.

Doing this once, in one folder, saves hours in July. Scan each paper and name it clearly: "Form 16 FY26", "Bank interest certificate", and so on.

If you earn rent or trade shares

Add your rent agreement, the property tax receipt and a statement of gains and losses. A tax professional will ask for these first.

This is a demo story: every name, place, organisation and figure in it is fictional.