How to Download Prefilled ITR Form from the e-Filing Portal
- aakash nigam
- Nov 24
- 9 min read
The Income Tax Department’s e-Filing Portal allows taxpayers to access prefilled ITR forms that automatically include data from their PAN-linked records. This feature simplifies return filing by importing salary, interest, and deduction details directly into the ITR form. It eliminates manual entry errors, ensures consistency with Form 26AS and AIS data, and reduces the time taken for filing. Understanding how to download, review, and verify the prefilled ITR form is essential for ensuring accurate submission and faster refunds under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Table of Contents
Step-by-Step Process to Download Prefilled ITR Form from the e-Filing Portal
To download your prefilled ITR form, visit the official Income Tax e-filing portal (www.incometax.gov.in) and log in using your PAN and password. After logging in, go to the ‘e-File’ section, select ‘Income Tax Returns,’ and choose the ‘Download Prefilled Data’ option. Next, select the relevant assessment year (for example, AY 2025–26 for FY 2024–25) and click on ‘Download JSON.’ This file will contain your prefilled details such as salary income, interest income, TDS data, and other relevant fields extracted from AIS and Form 26AS.
How to Select the Correct ITR Form Before Downloading
Before downloading your prefilled form, it is essential to know which ITR form applies to you. Salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh and no capital gains can use ITR-1. Those with capital gains, more than one house property, or foreign income must opt for ITR-2. Professionals or business owners should select ITR-3 or ITR-4 based on their income type. Selecting the correct form ensures that the prefilled data aligns with the required schedules and minimizes rejection or validation errors during filing.
Understanding Prefilled Data in the ITR Form
The prefilled ITR form automatically imports taxpayer data available with the Income Tax Department. This includes salary details from Form 16, TDS deducted by employers or banks, interest income from savings and FDs, capital gains reported by brokers, and deductions claimed in Form 26AS or AIS. However, this data may sometimes be incomplete or outdated, as it depends on what deductors have uploaded. Hence, it’s vital to cross-check these figures with your actual financial records before submitting your return.
How to Edit and Verify Prefilled Information Before Filing
After downloading the prefilled JSON file, upload it into the offline utility or use the online edit mode on the e-filing portal. Carefully verify each section — particularly salary income, interest from savings accounts, capital gains, and deductions under Chapter VI-A. Make corrections wherever necessary, such as updating missing interest income, revising bank details, or correcting TDS entries. Verifying the data ensures accuracy in tax computation and prevents notices under Sections 139(9) or 143(1) due to mismatches in AIS or Form 26AS.
How to Download Prefilled ITR JSON for Offline Filing
If you prefer to file using the offline utility, the prefilled form must be downloaded in JSON format. On the e-filing portal, navigate to ‘Downloads’ and select ‘Prefilled Data (JSON)’ for the relevant assessment year. Save this file on your system and import it into the ITR utility software provided by the Income Tax Department. Once imported, the prefilled data will populate automatically. After making any necessary changes, you can generate and upload the final JSON file back to the portal for submission.
Common Issues While Downloading Prefilled ITR and How to Fix Them
When downloading prefilled ITR forms, many taxpayers face issues such as incomplete data, missing information, or JSON file errors. These problems usually occur due to delays or mismatches in data updates from various sources like employers, banks, mutual fund houses, or other entities that deduct or report tax on behalf of the taxpayer. The Income Tax Department compiles data from multiple sources — such as AIS (Annual Information Statement), Form 26AS, and Form 16 — to auto-fill your return. However, if any of these entities haven’t updated their records, the prefilled ITR may display inaccurate or incomplete information.
One of the most common issues is missing or incorrect income details, such as salary income not reflecting properly or interest income being duplicated. This happens when the employer delays submitting the TDS return or when a bank updates Form 26AS late. In some cases, the JSON file fails to open or gives an “invalid format” error due to a browser cache problem or an incomplete download. Sometimes, the problem also occurs because the taxpayer tries to upload an outdated prefilled file that doesn’t match the latest version available on the Income Tax portal.
To resolve these issues, start by verifying the data in your AIS and Form 26AS. If discrepancies are found, request your employer or financial institution to correct and re-upload the information. Wait for 24 to 48 hours before re-downloading the prefilled JSON file, as the portal takes time to synchronize the latest updates. Always download the JSON file from the official Income Tax portal using the same PAN and assessment year credentials to ensure accuracy.
If the JSON file still fails to open, try clearing your browser cache, updating your browser, or downloading the file through another device. Alternatively, you can open the file directly in the Income Tax Utility or in an authorized filing software to check for missing fields. For any unpopulated sections, you can manually enter the correct data using the information from Form 16, Form 26AS, and interest certificates.
To avoid repeated errors and ensure accurate submission, it is advisable to use professional platforms like TaxBuddy. The platform’s AI-powered system cross-verifies all data points across AIS, Form 26AS, and Form 16 to ensure that no income or deduction is missed. It automatically detects mismatches, fills in missing details, and generates error-free returns for filing. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of receiving a notice for incorrect reporting. By filing through such professional assistance, taxpayers can ensure a smooth, accurate, and compliant ITR submission experience.
Importance of Linking PAN, Aadhaar, and Bank Account for Prefilled Data
The accuracy of your prefilled ITR depends heavily on proper linkage of PAN, Aadhaar, and bank accounts. PAN ensures your financial data—like salary, interest, and TDS—is correctly mapped. Aadhaar is mandatory for verification, while bank account details are needed for refund processing. If these are not linked, your prefilled data may remain incomplete or your refund could be delayed. Linking them ensures faster validation and a smoother filing process.
Bank Account Details in Prefilled ITR: What Taxpayers Should Know
Your prefilled ITR form includes bank details such as IFSC, account number, and type of account, which are fetched from the e-filing profile. Taxpayers must verify this section carefully, ensuring that the selected bank account for refund is active and primary. If there are multiple accounts, you can choose one as the default refund account. Inactive or incorrect details may lead to refund failure or delay, requiring revalidation through the e-filing portal.
Benefits of Using TaxBuddy for Reviewing Prefilled ITR Forms
TaxBuddy streamlines the review and filing process by automatically checking your prefilled ITR data for accuracy. It compares figures from AIS, TIS, and Form 26AS to identify mismatches and ensures all deductions—like those under Sections 80C, 80D, and 24(b)—are correctly claimed. The platform also highlights missing entries, preventing errors that could trigger notices. TaxBuddy’s expert-assisted service reviews your JSON file, makes corrections where necessary, and ensures your ITR is compliant before submission.
Conclusion
Prefilled ITR forms have simplified the process of filing income tax returns by reducing manual data entry and minimizing human error. However, taxpayers must verify every entry for accuracy to prevent discrepancies. Using a trusted platform like TaxBuddy ensures all details are validated, deductions are maximised, and filings remain compliant with the latest tax rules.
For anyone looking for assistance in tax filing, it is highly recommended to download the TaxBuddy mobile app for a simplified, secure, and hassle-free experience.
FAQs
Q1. What is a prefilled ITR form? A prefilled ITR form is a partially completed income tax return where key details like personal information, salary income, TDS, bank interest, and dividend income are automatically imported from the Income Tax Department’s database. This data is collected from sources such as Form 26AS, AIS (Annual Information Statement), and information uploaded by employers and banks. Prefilled forms simplify the filing process by minimizing manual entries and reducing chances of data mismatch.
Q2. Where can I download my prefilled ITR form? You can download your prefilled ITR form from the official Income Tax e-filing portal. Log in to your account, navigate to the ‘e-File’ menu, and select ‘Income Tax Return (ITR)’. Choose the relevant assessment year and click on ‘Download Prefilled Data’. The file is downloaded in JSON format, which can be uploaded in the offline ITR utility or used directly for online filing.
Q3. Is the prefilled data always accurate? Prefilled data is generated based on third-party submissions such as Form 16 from employers, Form 26AS from TDS deductors, and financial statements from banks. While it is usually reliable, errors or omissions may occur if the reporting entities delay or misreport data. Taxpayers should always verify all figures—especially income, deductions, and TDS—against their original documents before submission.
Q4. What should I do if the prefilled data is incorrect or incomplete? If you find incorrect or missing details in your prefilled form, you can manually edit them in the ITR form before submission. In some cases, it’s advisable to wait a few days and re-download the JSON file once your AIS or Form 26AS data is updated by the concerned deductor. Cross-verifying details ensures accuracy and prevents later notices from the department.
Q5. Can prefilled forms be used for both online and offline filing? Yes, prefilled ITR data can be used in both methods. For online filing, the data appears automatically when you start the return process on the e-filing portal. For offline filing, you can download the prefilled JSON file and import it into the offline utility software. Both options allow you to review, edit, and submit the return securely.
Q6. Why is my salary income not showing in the prefilled ITR? This often happens if your employer has not yet uploaded Form 16 or TDS details to the income tax system. The prefilled form depends on these submissions, so any delay in reporting by the employer leads to missing entries. In such cases, wait for the employer to complete the upload or manually enter the details using your salary slips and Form 16.
Q7. Do I need to verify prefilled deductions like 80C or 80D? Yes, always verify deduction-related information. Prefilled data may not include your most recent investments or medical insurance premiums if your employer or financial institution hasn’t reported them yet. Review all deduction details under sections like 80C, 80D, and 80G, and manually update them if necessary before final submission to ensure accurate tax computation.
Q8. What if my refund account details are incorrect in the prefilled ITR? Incorrect refund account details can delay or block refund payments. If the prefilled account number or IFSC code is wrong, update the correct bank details in the ITR form before submission. You should also validate the updated bank account on the Income Tax portal to ensure smooth refund processing. Refunds are issued only to validated accounts.
Q9. Can joint account details be used for refunds? Refunds can be credited to joint bank accounts only if the taxpayer’s PAN is linked to that account. The Income Tax Department does not process refunds to accounts that are not PAN-linked. If you use a joint account, confirm that your PAN is registered with the bank before using it in your ITR to avoid refund failures.
Q10. Is Aadhaar linking mandatory for prefilled ITR filing? Yes, linking PAN with Aadhaar is mandatory for both filing and verifying your income tax return. Without Aadhaar-PAN linkage, you cannot proceed with submission or verification, and your ITR may be treated as invalid. The linking ensures that all taxpayer data in the prefilled form matches official records.
Q11. How does TaxBuddy help with prefilled ITR forms? TaxBuddy reviews the prefilled ITR data, cross-verifies it with uploaded documents like Form 16, AIS, and TDS details, and corrects inconsistencies before submission. Its AI-powered validation ensures all deductions, exemptions, and TDS credits are accurately applied. With both self-filing and expert-assisted options, TaxBuddy ensures an error-free and compliant return filing experience.
Q12. What are the benefits of using a prefilled ITR form? Prefilled ITR forms save significant time by automatically populating most data, reducing manual effort and errors. They help ensure that income, deductions, and TDS are reported accurately, which minimizes mismatch notices from the Income Tax Department. When used with tools like TaxBuddy, prefilled forms make filing faster, easier, and more reliable—ensuring maximum accuracy and quicker refunds.
