Form 16 Alone Won’t Save You Anymore: Salaried Taxpayers Face ITR Trouble in 2025
Jun 6
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By SS Auditors – Experts in Tax Advisory and Filing Services
Form 16 Alone Won’t Save You Anymore
Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) used to be straightforward for salaried individuals — a simple upload of Form 16 into ITR-1, and you were done. But that’s changing in Assessment Year 2025–26. If you’re planning to opt for the old tax regime, relying on just your Form 16 will no longer be enough.
At SS Auditors, we help you navigate these changes smoothly, ensuring compliance and maximum deductions without the last-minute hassle.
What’s Changing in ITR-1 Filing?
Form 16 Alone Won’t Save You Anymore: Until last year, salaried employees under the old regime who had no income except salary were able to file ITR-1 simply using Form 16. Employers would account for eligible deductions (like investments under Section 80C, 80D, HRA, etc.) and reflect the same in Form 16.
There was no need to upload investment proofs while filing returns.
But this year, the rules are stricter. Taxpayers must upload supporting documents for deductions claimed under the old regime.
At SS Auditors, we assist clients in organizing and validating all required proofs before filing. This ensures you avoid errors, rejections, or tax liabilities due to missing documentation.
Should You Be Worried?
Not if your paperwork is in order. If you’ve made tax-saving investments or incurred eligible expenses like house rent for HRA, simply retain all proofs—rental agreements, investment receipts, insurance documents, etc.
If you don’t have the proofs but still claim deductions, you could end up paying extra taxes or face notices from the Income Tax Department.
SS Auditors offers document verification and compliance support, ensuring all your claims are backed by proper evidence and filed accurately.
Other Key Changes in ITR-1
Reporting LTCG (Long-Term Capital Gains): For the first time, taxpayers can report LTCG up to ₹1.25 lakh from equity mutual funds and listed equity shares directly in ITR-1. No tax will apply if gains are realized after July 23, 2025.
Extended Deadline: The due date for ITR filing for taxpayers not requiring audit has been extended to September 15, 2025.
Our team at SS Auditors helps clients report LTCG correctly and ensures deadlines are met through timely reminders and filing support.
Role of Form 16 in 2025
Form 16 still plays a critical role. It provides a summary of salary income, tax deductions, and TDS. Most tax-filing platforms will require you to upload it. However, if you use the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal directly, the system will auto-populate most data based on Form 16 — though you’ll still need to verify the entries manually.
SS Auditors simplifies this process by reviewing your Form 16, matching it with your Annual Information Statement (AIS), and ensuring all figures align — avoiding costly mismatches or notices.
Final Thoughts
The shift in filing requirements under the old tax regime might seem tedious, but with proper planning and expert guidance, it doesn’t have to be.
Whether it's:
Investment proof compilation
HRA calculation
LTCG reporting
Deadline tracking
Or full ITR filing support
SS Auditors is your trusted partner in personal taxation and financial compliance. Our tax consultants work closely with clients to ensure deductions are maximized, errors minimized, and returns filed accurately and on time.
Need assistance filing your ITR this year? Get in touch with SS Auditors today to schedule your consultation and experience stress-free tax filing backed by experts.
