The trick to leaving ClearTax cleanly is preserving carry-forward losses, capital-gains computation context, and any reconciliation work already done on 26AS / 2A / 2B. Switching ITR preparer mid-FY can erase loss continuity if not done right. Here is how we protect it.
Timeline
You
Us
Shared
ITR history retrieval
We download your last 3 ITRs (ITR-V acknowledgements + filed JSON) from the Income Tax portal directly — you give us read-only e-filing portal access. We do not need ClearTax for this; ITR data lives at incometax.gov.in.
Carry-forward loss audit
We extract Schedule CFL (carried forward losses) from each return, year by year — capital-loss STCG/LTCG bifurcation, business loss, depreciation-claim continuity. Any year where filing was late (loses CFL eligibility) is flagged.
26AS / 2A / 2B reconciliation
We pull 26AS, AIS, TIS, and (for businesses) GSTR-2A / 2B for the last 2 FYs. Any TDS not reflected in your ITR (common with broker-issued TDS on bond interest), or any GST ITC under-claim, is documented.
Capital-gains computation context
ClearTax computes grandfathering for pre-Jan-2018 equity (Section 112A) and SFT data from your broker. We pull the same source files (Zerodha tax P&L, Groww/Upstox annual statements) and reconstruct the computation in our system. Cost basis history is preserved.
Taxcloud handover (if you used CA firm tier)
If you came in via a Taxcloud-using CA firm, we obtain a NoC + client-data export from them (Taxcloud has a native client-handover function). For direct ClearTax users, this step is N/A.
Next-FY ITR with CFL continuity intact
Your next ITR is filed by us with Schedule CFL pre-populated from migrated data. We share a one-page CFL summary with you so you know exactly which losses are usable in which heads.
Pre-migration checklist
Most items are 60 seconds to find. We start the migration faster if you have these ready.
Income Tax e-filing portal login (PAN + password)
Where:incometax.gov.in — password was set at first registration; reset via Aadhaar OTP if forgotten
ClearTax / Clear account login
Where:cleartax.in → My Account — mainly for filed-return JSON history
Last 3 years’ ITR-V acknowledgements
Where:incometax.gov.in → e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns
Broker tax P&L statements (last 2 FYs)
Where:Zerodha Console → Reports → Tax P&L | Groww → Statements | Upstox → Reports
Form 16 (last 2 FYs, if salaried)
Where:Employer payroll portal, or via TRACES → Form 16 download
26AS, AIS, TIS for last 2 FYs
Where:incometax.gov.in → Services → Annual Information Statement / View Form 26AS
For businesses: GSTR-2A / 2B for last 4 quarters
Where:gst.gov.in → Returns → Returns Dashboard → 2A/2B download
Download and verify your last 3 ITRs from incometax.gov.in (not dependent on ClearTax)
Audit Schedule CFL across years to confirm carry-forward loss continuity is preserved
Reconcile 26AS, AIS, TIS, GSTR-2A/2B for the last 2 FYs — flag any missed TDS or ITC
Reconstruct grandfathering computation for pre-2018 equity holdings (Section 112A)
Handle Taxcloud client-handover with NoC from the original CA firm (if applicable)
Re-file revised return (Section 139(5)) if migration audit surfaces a material error within the window
Your PAN, Aadhaar linkage, e-filing portal credentials all stay yours
Filed and verified ITRs are immutable in the Income Tax system — no “transfer” needed
TDS deducted in your name continues to land in 26AS regardless of preparer
DSC (for businesses filing ITR-6) remains valid — only re-registration on the e-filing portal needed
Gotchas & honest fixes
These are real situations we have hit in past ClearTax migrations. We name them up front so they do not surprise you.
The gotcha
You filed last year’s ITR late (post 31 Dec for original deadline 31 Jul). Section 80 (CFL) eligibility was lost for that year — but ClearTax may have still shown the loss as “carried forward”.
Our fix
Honest fix: that loss is genuinely gone for set-off purposes under Section 80. We flag this during the CFL audit so it does not silently roll into your next return and trigger a scrutiny notice. If it is depreciation (Section 32(2)), late-filing does NOT extinguish it — we preserve it correctly.
The gotcha
Broker-import on ClearTax pulled your Zerodha P&L automatically. After leaving, you assume we will too — but Zerodha API access is granted per-platform.
Our fix
You reauthorise: log into Zerodha Console → Tax P&L → Generate report → download CSV. We import it. Same flow for Groww (Statements section) and Upstox (Reports). One-time per year, 2 minutes per broker.
The gotcha
You used Taxcloud through a CA firm. The CA firm “owns” your client record in Taxcloud, not you — and they may delay the handover.
Our fix
Taxcloud has a native client-data-export function (CA firm dashboard → Clients → Export). If the firm refuses, you can request the data directly from Clear under your DPDP Act right to data portability. We have a template request letter ready.
The gotcha
AIS shows a high-value transaction (mutual fund redemption, FD interest) that you do not recall — ClearTax flagged it but you ignored it.
Our fix
We pull AIS + Form 26AS during migration and reconcile. If genuine, it goes into your next ITR. If a mismatch (common with joint MF folios), we file feedback in AIS — our CA does this on your behalf.
What it costs
Migration is free on any annual plan. Capital-gains heavy migrations (>50 trades, multiple brokers) may push into our Growth tier (Rs.4,999/month) for the first year — we are upfront about this in the kick-off call. Govt fees: nil for ITR; revised return filing also nil.
Frequently asked
The recommendations themselves are not portable, but the underlying investments (LIC, ELSS, NPS) all sit in your name with the respective institutions. We re-run a tax-saving review in your first month and produce a fresh recommendation set.
Only if you came via Taxcloud. Direct ClearTax CA-assist allocations are case-by-case — your CA there does not move to us. You get a dedicated FilingLab CA at signup.
Yes. ClearTax’s e-invoice API is platform-bound. We onboard you to our e-invoice integration (NIC GSP) over 2-3 days; we run both in parallel for one billing cycle to avoid downtime.
You retain originals (PDFs or photos). We re-attach them to your FilingLab return record so they are referenceable for the next ITR. Already-claimed deductions in filed returns are unchanged.
Yes — we file a fresh authority letter with the Assessing Officer (no formal Form, just a letter under Section 282(2)) and request notice copies. We have done 100+ Section 148 takeovers; usually no continuity issue if the response window is still open.
Their retention policy is 7 years for filed-return data (statutory requirement) and 3 years for working papers. Your data is technically retained even after cancellation, but no longer accessible to you.
Free migration · 5-7 working days
One kick-off call, two documents to sign, a named CA on your account from day one.