Answer

1. F

   Facts

   The documents that usually decide old demand disputes are the return, the intimation or order, Form 26AS (now Form 168) for that year, and challans. Keeping them for at least the open assessment years saves time.

2. P

   Provisions and law

   • Sec 245, Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 438, Income-tax Act 2025)Refund can be set off against an earlier demand only after a written intimation to the taxpayer
   • Sec 154, Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 287, Income-tax Act 2025)A mistake apparent from the record can be rectified, on request or by the officer
3. A

   Analysis

   Old demands often surface years later, after the paperwork is lost. Download Form 26AS and the processed intimation every year and keep them with the challan copies. Example: a 2021 self-assessment challan of ₹7,500 not matched to the return is easy to prove with the counterfoil and very hard without it. The portal also keeps filed returns and intimations, so download them before you change email or bank.

4. C

   Conclusion

   1. 1Download each year's ITR acknowledgement and intimation
   2. 2Save Form 26AS (now Form 168) and AIS for each year
   3. 3Keep challan counterfoils with BSR code and serial number
   4. 4Store them in one folder by assessment year

General guidance from TaxSavvy’s library of money processes. Laws change; your Savvy confirms the answer on your exact case before anything is filed.