Yes, you can and should change the salary amount while filing your ITR if it’s different from what’s on your Form 16. The pre-filled data on the e-filing portal is just a starting point. It’s your responsibility to ensure the final numbers are accurate and reflect your total taxable income.
Why You Might Need to Change the Amount
There are a few common reasons why the salary figure on your Form 16 might not be the whole picture:
- You switched jobs. If you worked for more than one employer in a financial year, you’ll have multiple Form 16s. The e-filing portal might only pull data from one, so you’ll need to manually add the income and TDS details from all of your employers.
- Other taxable income sources. Your salary can include more than just your basic pay. Items like bonuses, commissions, taxable perquisites, and certain allowances (like HRA) that aren’t fully exempt should be included. If these aren’t reflected in your Form 16, you must add them.
- Errors. Sometimes, there can be a mistake in the Form 16 itself. Always cross-check the details with your bank statements and payslips to ensure everything is correct.
What to Do
The process is straightforward. When you’re filling out your ITR, you will come to a section for “Income from Salary/Pension.” The amount here is editable. You should:
- Add all your income: Combine the figures from all your Form 16s.
- Include other taxable salary components: Add any other income that falls under the “Salary” head as per Section 17(1) of the Income Tax Act. This could include things like leave encashment, gratuity, or employer contributions to a provident fund above the taxable limit.
- Cross-verify with Form 26AS/AIS: Ensure the TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) you’re claiming matches the amount shown in your Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS). These documents show the taxes paid on your behalf.
Once you’ve entered the correct, final salary figure, proceed with the rest of your return. Remember to file your ITR as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute issues, and always e-verify it to complete the process.