As the financial year 2025-26 comes to a close, salaried employees in India are gearing up for the income tax return (ITR) filing season for assessment year 2026-27. A vital document in this process is Form 16, which employers issue to summarize salary payments and tax deducted at source (TDS). Typically, employees can expect to receive Form 16 by June 15, 2026. The ITR filing season is anticipated to commence in May 2026, following the activation of the online filing utilities by the income tax department. The due dates for filing ITR are set for July 31, 2026 for individuals, August 31, 2026 for certain business taxpayers, October 31, 2026 for those subject to tax audits, and November 30, 2026 for transfer pricing cases. Form 16 simplifies the filing process by providing necessary details about salary income and taxes deducted, helping to minimize reporting errors. While it is not mandatory to have Form 16 to file ITR, taxpayers can still file using other documents if needed. Early preparation is advised to ensure a smooth filing experience.