August 31 ITR deadline: 5 key forms for professionals and business taxpayers

If you earn money through a business or profession, filing your income tax return is not just about picking the right ITR form and hitting ‘submit’. Before you file, it is important to check your income, TDS, tax payments and other financial details to avoid mistakes.With the August 31 deadline for non-audit taxpayers approaching, the Income Tax Department has reminded taxpayers with business or professional income to file their returns on time.The department posted on X: “Do you have business or professional income? If yes, and your return for AY 2026–27 falls under the non-audit category, remember to file your applicable ITR (ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5 or ITR-7) by 31st August 2026."So, which forms and documents should taxpayers keep handy? Here are five important ones. FORM 26AS AND AIS: CHECK BEFORE YOU FILEOne of the easiest ways to avoid errors is to check your Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS) before filing the return.Form 26AS mainly provides details of TDS and tax collected at source (TCS). AIS gives a broader picture of the financial information reported to the tax department. It can include TDS and TCS details, Specified Financial Transaction (SFT) information, tax payments, refund and demand details as well as certain GST-related information and other information available with the department.Taxpayers should compare these details with their own records. If there is a mismatch, it is better to check and address it before submitting the ITR.FORM 16A: DON'T FORGET TDS ON NON-SALARY INCOMEIf you earn income other than salary and tax has been deducted from it, Form 16A is an important document.It is a quarterly TDS certificate issued by the person or entity deducting the tax. It helps taxpayers check the income or payment on which TDS was deducted, the amount of tax deducted, the nature of the payment and the tax deposited with the government.For business and professional taxpayers, matching Form 16A with their own records can help ensure that the TDS claimed in the return is accurate.FORMS 15G AND 15H: WHEN CAN THEY HELP?Forms 15G and 15H are used by eligible taxpayers seeking non-deduction of TDS on certain interest income.Form 15G can generally be submitted by eligible resident individuals below 60 years, HUFs and certain other taxpayers. Form 15H is meant for eligible resident individuals aged 60 years or above.These forms are relevant when an eligible taxpayer expects their tax liability to be nil. They require details of estimated income and other relevant information.FORMS 3CB-CD: FOR TAXPAYERS FACING TAX AUDITNot everyone with business or professional income falls under the same filing requirements.Taxpayers whose accounts are required to be audited under section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, need to furnish a tax audit report.Form 3CB contains the report on the audit of accounts, while Form 3CD contains the statement of particulars required under section 44AB.For AY 2026-27, the ITR filing deadline for audit cases is October 31, 2026.FORM 3CEB: WHO NEEDS IT?Taxpayers covered by transfer pricing provisions may also need Form 3CEB, which is obtained from a chartered accountant.The form contains details of specified international transactions and specified domestic transactions covered under section 92E of the Income Tax Act, 1961.Don't wait until the last dayFor taxpayers with business or professional income, filing the return involves more than simply choosing an ITR form. Checking AIS, Form 26AS, TDS certificates and other relevant documents can help identify errors before the return is submitted.If your return falls under the non-audit category for AY 2026-27, remember that the deadline is August 31, 2026. Audit cases have a later deadline of October 31, 2026.With the deadline approaching, checking your documents now can save you from a last-minute rush.- EndsPublished By: Jasmine anandPublished On: Aug 24, 2026 12:59 IST