A Year-Round Tax Calendar

Tax planning works best spread across the year, not crammed into March.

April to June

• Choose your tax regime with your employer at the start of the year.
• Plan tax-saving investments early if using the old regime, spreading them through SIPs.
• 15 June: first advance tax instalment, if applicable.
• Collect Form 16 from your employer, usually by mid-June.

July

• 31 July: usual deadline for filing returns for individuals not requiring audit. Check AIS and file early.

September to December

• 15 September and 15 December: advance tax instalments.
• Review capital gains; consider using the annual equity gain exemption.

January to March

• Submit proofs of investments and rent to your employer.
• 15 March: final advance tax instalment.
• 31 March: last day for old-regime tax-saving investments for the year.
• Consider harvesting gains or losses before the year ends.

Ongoing habits

• Keep digital folders of documents.
• Update PAN-Aadhaar linking and bank details.
• Review nominations.

Module recap

• Plan legally; avoid evasion.
• Understand salary components and compare regimes.
• Use 80C and health insurance deductions under the old regime if they help.
• Know capital gains rules after 2024 and taxes on interest.
• Gifts from relatives are exempt; NRIs are taxed on Indian income.
• Most people up to 12 lakh pay no tax under the new regime from 2025.
• Report rental income, check the AIS and follow a yearly calendar.