What is the AIS?
The Annual Information Statement (AIS) is a detailed record, on the Income Tax portal, of the financial information the department has collected about you from banks, employers, brokers and others. It is broader than Form 26AS and shows more types of income and transactions.
In short: it is the department’s view of your year. Your return should line up with it.
What the AIS shows
The AIS can include:
- Salary and TDS.
- Interest from savings accounts and fixed deposits.
- Dividends.
- Sale of shares and mutual funds (capital gains data).
- Large purchases and other reported transactions.
It gives both a full value and a “derived” value that accounts for feedback you submit. This is why checking it before filing matters: it flags income you might otherwise forget, like small FD interest.
AIS vs Form 26AS
They overlap but are not the same:
- Form 26AS focuses on tax credits: TDS, TCS, advance tax, and refunds. It is your tax-paid statement.
- AIS is broader, covering income and transactions the department knows about, not just tax deducted.
Use both together. Form 26AS confirms tax already paid; the AIS confirms income you must report. If they and your Form 16 all agree, filing is straightforward.
How to reconcile it before filing
- Download the AIS from incometax.gov.in under Services тА║ AIS.
- Compare it to your own records: Form 16, bank interest certificates, broker statements.
- Make sure every income in the AIS appears in your return. Missing interest or dividends is the most common cause of a mismatch.
- Note anything that looks wrong to correct via feedback.
Example. Meena almost forgot the interest from a fixed deposit she opened mid-year. Her AIS listed it. Because she checked, she included it and avoided a mismatch query later. The AIS is your safety net against forgetting small income.
What if something is wrong?
If the AIS shows income that is not yours, or a wrong figure, you can submit feedback directly in the AIS marking the entry as incorrect, duplicate, or relating to someone else. The derived value updates to reflect valid feedback.
Do not simply ignore an error. Either report the income correctly or submit feedback, and keep proof. If it is complex, a filing platform or expert can help. See documents required for ITR to gather your evidence.
FAQ
What is the AIS?
The Annual Information Statement, a detailed record on the Income Tax portal of the income and transactions the department has collected about you from banks, employers and others.
What is the difference between AIS and Form 26AS?
Form 26AS focuses on tax credits like TDS and advance tax. The AIS is broader, covering income and transactions. Use both to reconcile before filing.
Why should I check my AIS before filing?
To make sure your return includes all the income the department already knows about. A mismatch is the most common reason for a notice.
What if the AIS shows wrong information?
Submit feedback in the AIS marking the entry as incorrect, duplicate or not yours. The derived value updates to reflect valid feedback.
Where do I download the AIS?
On incometax.gov.in under Services тА║ AIS.
