Form 26AS Is Dead, Long Live AIS: How Annual Information Statement Changes Tax Filing in 2025
Transition from Form 26AS to comprehensive AIS, additional information sources, how to verify mismatches, and impact on ITR pre-filling
Written by
CA Ashama Rajawat
Since AY 2021-22, the Income Tax Department quietly shifted from Form 26AS to AIS (Annual Information Statement). Most taxpayers don't even know AIS exists—but IT Department knows EVERYTHING about your income.
Form 26AS vs AIS: What Changed?
| Feature | Form 26AS (Old) | AIS (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Information Source | Only TDS/TCS data | TDS + SFT + property + foreign remittance + more |
| Data Points | ~10 categories | 50+ categories |
| Visibility | Income shown by deductors | EVERYTHING - savings interest, dividends, property purchases, crypto, etc. |
| Pre-filling ITR | Limited | 90% fields auto-filled |
| Your Action | Just verify TDS | MUST verify everything, dispute incorrect data |
What Information Does AIS Capture?
Part A: TDS/TCS (Same as 26AS)
- • Salary TDS (Form 16)
- • TDS on interest, rent, professional fees
- • TCS on foreign remittance, car purchase
Part B: SFT (Specified Financial Transactions)
- • Bank deposits/withdrawals > ₹10L
- • Credit card payments > ₹1L/month
- • Mutual fund purchases/redemptions
- • Property registration (purchase/sale)
Part C: Income Information
- • Savings account interest (reported by banks)
- • Dividend income (mutual funds, stocks)
- • GST turnover (auto-pulled from GSTN)
- • Salary as per Form 16
Part D: Other Information
- • Foreign remittances (LRS)
- • Crypto transactions (from exchanges)
- • Business receipts (payment gateway data)
- • Property holding (registrar data)
How to Access AIS
Login to Income Tax Portal
incometax.gov.in → Login with PAN
Navigate to AIS
Services → Annual Information Statement (AIS)
Select Financial Year
Choose FY (e.g., 2024-25 for AY 2025-26)
View or Download
Download PDF or view online (updated real-time)
AIS vs TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary)
AIS (Annual Information Statement):
- • RAW data from all sources
- • May have duplicates, errors
- • For your verification ONLY
- • Not used by IT Dept for assessment
TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary):
- • Processed, de-duplicated AIS data
- • After you accept/reject entries in AIS
- • THIS is used by IT Dept to pre-fill ITR
- • Basis for scrutiny if mismatch found
How to Verify & Correct AIS Data
Step 1: Review Each Entry Carefully
Check TDS amounts, interest income, property transactions - all should match your records.
Step 2: Click "Provide Feedback" for Incorrect Data
- • Duplicate entry? Select "Information is duplicate"
- • Wrong amount? Select "Information is incorrect" + provide correct value
- • Not your transaction? Select "Information does not belong to me"
Step 3: Submit Feedback
IT Dept contacts information provider to verify. Takes 15-30 days for correction.
Step 4: Accept Correct Entries
Click "Confirm" for accurate entries. These flow to TIS and pre-fill your ITR.
Common AIS Mismatches & Solutions
Issue 1: Duplicate TDS Entries
Cause: Same TDS reported by deductor twice. Solution: Mark one as duplicate in feedback.
Issue 2: Wrong Bank Interest Amount
Cause: Bank reported incorrect figure. Solution: Provide feedback with correct amount + attach Form 26AS from bank.
Issue 3: Property Transaction Not Yours
Cause: Similar PAN, data entry error at sub-registrar office. Solution: Mark as "not belonging to me" immediately.
Issue 4: Missing TDS Entry
Cause: Deductor didn't file TDS return yet. Solution: Contact deductor, file ITR manually with supporting docs.
Impact on ITR Filing
Benefits:
- • 90% fields auto-populated from AIS/TIS
- • Less manual data entry = fewer errors
- • Faster filing (10 mins instead of 2 hours)
- • Lower risk of omission
Risks:
- • Blindly accepting pre-filled data = wrong ITR
- • If AIS has errors and you don't correct, YOU pay penalty
- • IT Dept assumes pre-filled data is gospel truth
- • Burden of proof on YOU to show AIS wrong
When to Check AIS
May-June: Review AIS before ITR filing season starts
Before Filing ITR: Final check for any new entries or corrections
After Receiving Notice: Compare notice claims with AIS data
Best Practice: Check quarterly to catch errors early
What if AIS Shows Income You Didn't Report?
If AIS shows ₹10L interest but your ITR shows ₹2L, IT Dept will issue notice asking why ₹8L was not reported.
How to Respond:
- • If AIS is correct: File revised return, pay tax + interest
- • If AIS is wrong: Submit feedback in AIS + provide evidence to AO
- • If duplicate: Show original entry already reported
- • If exempt income: Explain exemption (PPF interest, agricultural income)
Conclusion
AIS is Big Brother watching your every financial move. Gone are the days of "forgetting" to report that ₹50,000 bank interest. The Income Tax Department now has real-time data on your income, property, investments, and expenses. Check AIS every quarter, dispute incorrect entries immediately, and ensure your ITR matches AIS data. Mismatches = notices, penalties, and litigation. In 2025, tax compliance is no longer optional—it's automatic.