A practical checklist for salaried taxpayers across the financial year.
April To June
Review salary structure, choose a provisional regime and submit investment declarations if your employer asks.
Estimate annual TDS early so bonus months do not surprise you.
If you don't tell your employer, TDS is deducted under the new regime, which is the default. Download last year's Form 16 when it is issued, and check the Annual Information Statement for interest, dividends and share sales.
Confirm that the PAN and bank details your employer holds are correct, since errors delay TDS credit and refunds.
July To September
File the previous year's return once Form 16 and AIS are reconciled, checking the due date on the portal. Verify the return within the allowed window after filing, or it isn't treated as filed.
If you have capital gains, interest or rent beyond salary, estimate the tax. Advance tax is generally paid in four instalments by 15 June, 15 September, 15 December and 15 March by those who need to pay it.
October To January
Collect rent receipts, insurance proofs, donation receipts and investment proofs.
Update declarations if income or deductions changed.
Many employers open proof submission in this window. Check your payslip after proofs are approved; if TDS jumps, the employer has spread the remaining tax across fewer months.
February And March
Complete any planned 80C, 80D or NPS contributions if you file under the old regime, pay the final advance tax instalment if needed, and keep all receipts together.
Avoid buying products in a hurry just for tax. A late March purchase you don't need often costs more than the tax it saves.
When Something Changes Mid-Year
A job change, a large bonus, a property or share sale, or new rental income changes the year's tax. Update your employer declaration or pay advance tax in the same quarter instead of waiting for March.
If you change jobs, give the new employer your earlier salary and TDS figures so the remaining months are deducted correctly. Otherwise both employers may apply the lower slabs, and the gap shows up as tax payable at filing.
After Year End
Reconcile Form 16, AIS/TIS, bank interest and taxes paid before filing.
Always verify final due dates on the official tax portal.
Tools For Each Stage
Use the Income Tax Calculator in April to choose a regime, the TDS Calculator mid-year to see what remains for the rest of the payroll months, and the ITR Return Calculator after year end to estimate the refund or tax payable.