The Income Tax Department has issued an urgent advisory for salaried employees regarding discrepancies in their tax filings for Assessment Year 2025-26. Specifically, the department has placed several tax returns on hold due to “potentially ineligible” deduction claims under the old tax regime.
Consequently, taxpayers have until December 31, 2025, to file a revised return or face detailed scrutiny, additional tax demands, and heavy penalties.
Why Salaried Employees are Getting Tax “Nudges”
The Income Tax Department is currently running a data-driven “NUDGE” campaign to ensure accuracy in tax reporting. In fact, advanced risk analytics have identified cases where employees claimed deductions like Section 80C, 80D, or HRA in their ITR that were not declared to their employers.
Consequently, this creates a significant mismatch between the ITR and the salary details reflected in Form 16. Furthermore, the department has flagged “bogus” donations to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) as a major area of concern.
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Common Triggers for ITR Discrepancies
Most intimations are being sent to individuals who opted for the old tax regime but failed to provide supporting evidence for their claims. Specifically, the department has noticed errors such as incorrect PANs of donees and excessive HRA claims. Additionally, non-disclosure of income from other sources, such as mutual fund sales, equity shares, or crypto assets, has triggered automated alerts.
Therefore, even if your deductions are genuine, a mismatch with your Annual Information Statement (AIS) could result in an intimation.
[Image showing a digital dashboard of the Income Tax Compliance Portal with a “Pending Action” alert highlighted]
ITR Revision & Compliance – Key Figures
| Parameter | Details |
| Assessment Year | 2025-26 |
| Revision Deadline | December 31, 2025 |
| Key Flagged Sections | 80G, 80GGC (Donations), HRA, 80C |
| Revised Returns Filed | Over 15 Lakh (As of Dec 23, 2025) |
| Late Filing Fee | Up to ₹5,000 (Income > ₹5 Lakh) |
| Penalty for Misreporting | Up to 200% of the tax evaded |
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What You Should Do Now
If you have received an intimation, do not panic; instead, reconcile your figures with your Form 16 and AIS immediately. Specifically, log in to the e-filing portal and check the ‘Compliance Portal’ under the ‘Pending Actions’ tab. If you identify an error, you must file a revised return under Section 139(5) before the month ends. However, if your claims are 100% genuine and supported by valid receipts, you may choose to ignore the advisory, though keeping documentation ready for future enquiries is highly recommended.
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Conclusion and Disclaimer
Failing to act on these tax intimations by December 31, 2025, may lead to the disallowance of your claims and a delay in tax refunds. Consequently, being proactive now will save you from future litigation and hefty interest charges…![]()
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Tax laws are subject to change, and users should consult a certified Chartered Accountant before making any financial decisions or filing revised returns.













