New Delhi: The last date to file income tax return (ITR) for 2016-17 fiscal or assessment year 2017-18 is July 31 this year.


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"The last date for filing of ITRs remains July 31. There are no plans to extend this deadline. The department has already received over 2 crore returns filed electronically. The department requests taxpayers to file their return in time," PTI has reported quoting a top government official.


While filing your income tax this year you can keep in mind a few important tax saving instruments that will not only constrain your returns but also help you build wealth over the long term.


Chetan Chandak, Head of Tax research, H&R Block India in conversation with Zee Media elaborates on these 6 investments for tax-free income.


Equity-Linked Savings Schemes


Equity-Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) is the best tax saving investment option as it has the potential to provide you highest return in the category. Though it carries the market risk, which to a certain extent is neutralised with a lock-in period of three years (minimum in the category), through the SIP mode of investment, one can further reduce the risk.


Public Provident Fund


Public Provident Fund (PPF) is considered as one of the safest long-term tax saving instrument which earns a taxfree return of 7.9 percent. This is a lot better than taxable FD interest. It can also fetch tax deduction up to Rs 1.5 Lakh u/s 80C. So effective post tax returns (factoring in tax deduction) for a person in highest tax bracket comes to 12.25 percent.


Insurance Plans


Both Life Insurance and Medical Insurance Plan are very good tax saving instruments providing you dual benefit of, protection against eventualities and tax saving u/s 80C and 80D respectively. But one should not mix insurance with investment and should prefer Pure Term Insurance Plan for security. For investment, there are many better options available.


Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana


Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is one of the best tax saving options for those who wish to invest for the future of their girl child less than ten years of age. It provides you with the tax-free interest of 8.4 percent with a tax deduction of up to Rs 1.5L under 80C. Maximum yearly deposit of Rs. 1.5 Lakh can be made for 14 years with a maturity of 21 years. Withdrawals from the scheme are tax exempt, and 50% of the corpus can be withdrawn once the child turns 18.


NPS (New Pension Scheme)


New Pension Scheme (NPS) is an excellent tax saving investment option for those who are planning a long term corpus to fund their retirement. It has potential to provide you returns comparable with any ELSS scheme as both invest in equity and debt instruments only. But NPS has substantially low fund management charges as compared to ELLS maximizing your returns. Further, it can provide you additional deduction u/s 80CCD (1B) up to Rs 50,000 which is over and above Rs. 1.5 lakh under 80C. The only downside is the investment gets locked in till retirement age, and the rate at which the annuity will be fixed is also not sure.


SCSS (Senior Citizens Saving Schemes)


Senior Citizens Saving Schemes (SCSS) is one of the best tax saving instruments for senior citizens who wish to earn a good return on their investment without any risk as well as want to claim the deduction u/s. 80C. It provides taxable interest of 8.4 percent which is paid on a quarterly basis providing regular income. One can invest maximum 15 lakh for an initial period of 5 years which can be further extended for three years. The option of premature closure is available after one year.


10 common mistakes that you must avoid while filing ITR


Filing of income tax return –the annual ritual –can get really troublesome if you don't pay heed to the details. Every year, numerous applications get rejected due to incorrect or mismatched information.


This is the reason why you should not make any mistakes on your application, especially if you are e-filing for returns for the first time.
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Vikas Dahiya, Founder and CEO of All India ITR has shared his views with Reema Sharma of Zee Media and given a list of 10 common mistakes you should avoid while  e-filing your Income Tax Returns.


1. Waiting until the due date to e-file your returns


Most of us wait till the 30th of July to start processing our income tax returns. This is a lazy pattern that many taxpayers are being used to. The government has simplified filing for returns by introducing online filing system, hence you must file your ITR ahead of the due date to avoid any errors or for rectifying the same.


2. Delaying e-verification on return


Until the returns are verified, the procedure of filing for returns remains incomplete. Taxpayers have two options for verifying the returns;
- Either sending the Income Tax Returns Verification acknowledgment to CPC, Bangalore within 120 days of filing the returns.
- Or an easier option would be, e -verifying your returns online. There will be no requirements to send the ITR V if you e-verify the returns online. The procedure of e-verification can be done via net banking, Demat account, Aadhaar number and bank account number.


3. Filling the form with incorrect personal details


To be eligible for e-filing benefits you must first register on the official website of the Income Tax Department. To achieve a flawless e-filing process you must furnish the accurate personal details like your postal address, date of birth, status, email ID, mobile number etc.


It is also pivotal to make sure that your details are filled correctly in their designated columns. Any mistakes in your date of birth will result in you falling in the higher tax slab. The registration process can be tricky if you aren’t familiar with the norms and any incorrect information may lead to issues in the future.


4. Errors in your banking particulars


Even if claiming for refunds is not applicable to you, it is mandatory to furnish your bank account details. While e-filing, always double check to see if the name, account number, IFSC and MICR code of your bank account matches the credentials entered in the registration portal.


5. Failing to report all the bank accounts


Many people neglect this provision and fail to declare all their bank accounts which have been functional within that financial year. This practice is illegal as the Income Tax Department has clearly stated under its act that every taxpayer must mandatorily submit all the bank accounts registered in the name of the taxpayer. Also, if you have made a cash deposit of more than Rs 2 Lakh during the demonetization period (November 9, 2016-December 30, 2016), you must fill a specified column in the e-form to report the cash deposited.


6. Overlooking the differences in TDS figures while e-filing


If you do not pay attention to details then your application for returns will become invalid. Be sure to verify that the figures of TDS made on your income is reflected in form 26AS and it matches. Form 26AS will also verify the fact on the instance when your employer has made TDS from your income but hasn’t submitted the same to the Income Tax Department.


7. Providing wrong financial data


One of the biggest reasons for rejection of returns while e-filing is when your salary details contradict the TDS. Income from other sources such as house property income, short-term capital gains etc. should be clearly stated. There will be a lot of precision that needs to be met while submitting the credentials of your financial data so it is best to seek the console of tax specialists.


8. Not reporting exempted income


The previous ITR forms consisted of a single column where you must report the income that has been exempted from taxation. The new forms, however, have been aligned with different columns where reports of exemption on dividend income and long-term capital gains must be mentioned specifically.


9. E-Filing for claims by submitting the wrong form


A lot of changes have been made on the ITR forms this year. Out of the total 7 ITR forms, you must make sure that you choose the one which is applicable as per your income type. For instance, last year ITR-4 was applicable for those having income from the business but this year ITR-3 is the form applicable for business entities. As a taxpayer, you must keep yourself updated on such changes while e-filing or else the Income Tax Department will reject a wrongly filled form.


10. Failing to Notice the mistake in income calculation


To determine an accurate calculation of your income you must fill the complete form carefully in its right column while e-filing. If the computation results in a different figure from what you have entered in your form then check to verify which will be the correct figure and enter that in the form.