What is Annual Information Statement (AIS)? How is it Different from Form 26AS?

Indiafirst Life
• 29 Jul, 2025

When filing your income tax return (ITR), there are two critical documents you will come across: the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS. Each document aims to simplify the income tax return filing process. While both help taxpayers accurately report income, they serve different purposes.

Let’s explore further, starting with knowing what AIS is.

What is the Annual Information Statement?

It is a detailed report introduced by the Income Tax Department. It provides a complete picture of a taxpayer’s financial transactions during a financial year. AIS captures a broad range of your financial data, including:

Interest income (savings accounts, FDs).
Dividends from stocks/mutual funds.
Securities transactions (stocks, bonds).
Foreign remittances.
Rent receipts (even if no TDS is deducted).

Earlier, only transactions where tax deducted at source (TDS) was involved, would be reported. However, the AIS records transactions even if no tax was deducted. This means you get a clearer view of all your income sources, whether they are related to any tax concepts or not.

Feedback on AIS

You can give feedback on the information reported in the AIS. You can apply to correct any errors. The department will then reflect on both the original and revised entries in the final statement. Based on these, a downloadable ‘AIS Consolidated Feedback’ file is also available.

Now that you know what the Annual Information Statement is, let’s understand exactly how it can help you in your income tax return filing journey.

How Does the Annual Information Statement Help During ITR Filing?

AIS makes it easier to carry out income tax return filing by:

Tracking all income types

From salary and interest to capital gains and foreign income, AIS records nearly all types of income. This can make it very helpful for taxpayers and advisors.
Preventing omissions

It lists income sources that might often get missed (such as small interest payments).
Avoiding tax notices

When your ITR matches your AIS data, it lowers the chance of receiving notices or scrutiny from the Income Tax Department.
Assisting with tax planning

Along with tools like an income tax calculator, AIS helps plan your taxes better by giving you a full view of your earnings.

Steps to Access and Use AIS

Step 1. Log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal.

Step 2. Browse over to Services > Annual Information Statement.

Step 3. Compare AIS data with bank statements, Demat accounts, and Form 26AS.

Step 4. Report errors via feedback to avoid any mismatches.

Tip: Use an income tax calculator alongside AIS to estimate your tax liabilities accurately.

How Does the AIS Differ from Form 26AS?

Although both AIS and Form 26AS are tax concepts that aim to help you file your taxes correctly, they are not the same.

Here is how they differ:

Feature	AIS	Form 26AS
Coverage	Includes all income types: interest, dividends, securities, foreign remittance, etc.	Focuses on TDS, TCS, and advance/self-assessment tax
Tax Information	May or may not show TDS/TCS; more about income overview	Only shows tax deducted or collected, along with tax credits
Feedback Option	Yes, you can raise concerns or errors and track responses	No feedback option available
Format	Option to download in PDF / JSON format	Available as a downloadable form
Detail of Transaction Level	Shows detailed financial transactions	Summary of tax deducted and paid

In essence, AIS is your detailed financial summary, while Form 26AS is your tax summary. They complement each other.

Another difference lies in handling errors. If you find mistakes in AIS, you can provide feedback and request corrections. If there is an error in Form 26AS, you must contact the issuer (such as your employer or bank) involved with the tax deducted at source, to file a revised TDS return.

Even though the information should match in both forms, sometimes you may find duplication or mismatches. In such cases, refer to Form 26AS for income tax return filing, as the Income Tax Department gives it preference for tax credit purposes.

As a taxpayer, it is helpful to know what AIS is and how it differs from Form 26AS for smooth and accurate ITR filing. Use both wisely and stay informed about key tax concepts to avoid future issues.

by IndiaFirst Life
Headquartered in Mumbai, IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited (IndiaFirst Life), with a paid-up share capital of INR 754.37 crore, is one of the fastest growing private life insurers in India in terms of New Business IRP in Fiscal 2023. Our key differentiators are our simple, easy-to-understand products that are optimally priced. As of Sept 30, 2023, we offered 30 retail products, 13 group products along with six riders (across retail and group portfolios), along with policies under the PMJJBY scheme, catering to protection, savings, health and retirement needs of our customers, leveraging multiple distribution capabilities and augmenting various investment options. In all propositions under the categories of Participating Plans, Non-Participating Savings Plans, Non-Participating Protection Plans, Unit Linked Insurance Plans, Group Protection Plans, Corporate Funds Plans, Riders & PMJJBY form a complete suite of offerings that help our customers prepare for the certainties of life. Our products are easy to understand and optimally priced with a developed comprehensive risk management framework/policy.