If you think filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is the last step of the tax process, you might want to take a closer look at your AIS before you hit submit. The Income Tax Department these days uses a lot of data analytics and automated matching systems to compare the details you mention in your ITR with the information available in your Annual Information Statement (AIS), Form 26AS, TDS records and other financial databases. Even a small mismatch can attract scrutiny, delay your refund or attract an income tax notice. AIS consolidates financial information reported by banks, employers, brokers, registrars and other institutions, making it a key compliance document during return processing. As the July ITR filing deadline approaches, taxpayers should carefully reconcile AIS with Form 26AS, Form 16, bank statements and investment records to avoid unnecessary scrutiny.