Filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) seems straightforward until you choose the wrong form, miss a disclosure, or make an unnoticed mistake—resulting in a dreaded income tax notice. Many taxpayers don’t even realize their ITR was incorrect until months later when the Income Tax Department sends an intimation or notice. That’s where TaxBuddy comes in as your preventative shield against such avoidable errors.
The Problem: ITR Filing Isn’t Always Plug-and-Play
With multiple ITR forms like ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3, and ITR-4, salaried individuals, freelancers, consultants, and business owners often get confused. Should someone with capital gains file ITR-1 or ITR-2? Can someone with interest from foreign banks still use ITR-1? What if you switched jobs during the year?
These aren’t just formality-based questions—choosing the wrong form can trigger Section 139(9) notices or worse. Even small mismatches in income data, TDS, or Form 26AS can cause discrepancies and lead to scrutiny.
What Kind of Notices Can Be Triggered?
- Notice under Section 139(9): Defective return due to wrong ITR form
- Notice under Section 143(1): Adjustment due to mismatch in reported income
- Notice under Section 143(2): Scrutiny for underreporting or misreporting income
- Notice under Section 245: Adjustment against old tax dues
- Notice under Section 148: Reopening of assessment due to income escaping taxation
Most of these could be avoided just by filing the correct return, with accurate income details and the right disclosures.
How TaxBuddy Prevents All of This
TaxBuddy has a simple goal: accuracy with ease. Their process is designed to combine automation with expert review, so no detail slips through the cracks.
1. Form Matching Done Right
The platform doesn’t just rely on what you input—it verifies data from your AIS, Form 26AS, TDS certificates, and even foreign income or ESOP disclosures, and then selects the correct ITR form for your profile.
2. Schedule-a-Call: Expert Eyes on Your Return
If you’re unsure about your form or have multiple income sources, TaxBuddy’s “Schedule a Call” feature lets you connect with a tax expert who will guide you live—ensuring your filing is both fast and correct.
3. Data Matching Before Submission
Their algorithm ensures pre-submission checks to catch:
- Mismatches in AIS or TDS
- Omitted foreign income or exempt income
- Missed reporting of previous year’s carry forward losses
- Incorrect bank accounts for refunds
- Deductions wrongly claimed under 80C, 80D, 80G, etc.
This validation layer is what keeps users safe from most automated notices sent out post-filing.
4. Expert-Supported DIY Option
Even if you file on your own using the DIY tool, TaxBuddy gives you suggestions based on your PAN, Form 16, and other linked data. It’s not just a calculator—it’s a smart assistant that flags anything you might overlook.
5. Free Notice Management (in assisted plans)
If you do get a notice despite correct filing, TaxBuddy’s assisted plans include notice handling. They’ll respond on your behalf, file rectifications or revised returns if needed, and even support scrutiny cases.
How Businesses and Freelancers Benefit
Freelancers, professionals, and startup founders often have:
- Multiple 26AS entries
- Advance tax paid across quarters
- Foreign remittances
- Unclaimed TDS
- Capital gains or losses
All of this complicates filing—and one mistake here means a potential Section 143(1) or 143(2) notice later.
TaxBuddy’s hybrid model ensures you get human-backed digital accuracy, whether you’re a salaried employee with Form 16 or a consultant working with multiple clients.
Filing Right the First Time Saves More Than Money
Avoiding notices saves:
- Time spent replying to notices
- Late filing fees
- Interest on shortfall
- Unwanted scrutiny or stress
And with platforms like TaxBuddy, the preventive solution costs less than what you might pay later in penalties or CA fees for notice handling.
Why Users Prefer TaxBuddy
- Accurate ITR filing based on actual financial data
- Human support with every return
- AI-assisted DIY options
- Free notice handling with expert support
- Refund tracking & updates
- Compliance with evolving tax norms
Final Thought: Filing Isn’t Just About Submitting a Form
Filing taxes isn’t about hitting “submit” before the deadline. It’s about filing the right form, with the right data, and doing it in a way that aligns with the department’s matching mechanisms.
TaxBuddy ensures you do all that—without needing to become a tax expert yourself.
So the next time you’re unsure about your ITR form or income disclosures, let TaxBuddy handle it—and avoid being another notice statistic.
Author Bio:
Ava Leighton is a content editor and tax researcher at SEOEngine.agency, specializing in personal finance and digital platforms. With over six years of content experience and more than three years writing for TaxBuddy, she focuses on simplifying complex tax concepts for Indian users.
