New Delhi. The month of March is at its last stage and with it the time of farewell to the financial year 2025-26 has also come near. If you are a taxpayer or a common citizen, the date of March 31 should be the most important date in your calendar. With the passage of this date, not only will many financial rules change, but the responsibilities left incomplete can put a heavy burden on your pocket.

According to experts, the next few days are very ‘critical’ in terms of investment and documentation to avoid last minute panic.

Tax Saving Investment: Last chance to get exemption

If you have chosen the old tax regime this year, then you have only time till March 31 to avail the exemption of up to Rs 1.5 lakh available under Section 80C. The process of investing in options like PPF, NPS or Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) should be completed by this date. Remember, any investment made on April 1 will be counted in the next financial year, making you lose out on tax benefits for the current year.

Health Insurance and Home Loan: Save your hard-earned money

Health insurance taken to protect yourself and your family is not only useful in medical emergencies, but is also a great way to save tax. Make sure to pay the premium before March 31 so that you can avail the benefits of Section 80D. At the same time, this is also a ‘golden period’ for home loan takers. If you repay the principal amount or part of the interest before this deadline, you can claim better tax deductions, which will help in reducing your loan burden.

PAN card verification: Your bank account may not be closed

Government rules regarding PAN Card have now become more strict than before. The verification and linking process of PAN through Aadhaar is currently smooth, but after March 31, 2026, this process may not only become longer but will also be made complicated. If your PAN becomes inoperative, you will neither be able to do banking transactions nor invest, hence the smart move is to complete this formality immediately.

Updated ITR (ITR-U): Last chance to correct old mistakes

Did you miss any information in your last income tax return? If yes, then ‘Updated Return’ (ITR-U) is no less than a boon for you. The government has set a deadline of March 31, 2026, to rectify past mistakes and avoid future legal notices. After this this option will be closed forever.

Double-check your records and if there are any discrepancies, get them corrected immediately so that you can start the new financial year stress-free.