Your Essential Step-by-Step India Guide

– Advertisement –

Filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) in India?

The thing is, it’s a straightforward process now, but the pre-work is everything. You can do the whole thing online via the official Income Tax Department e-filing portal.

Let’s be real: Before you even log in, grab your toolkit: your PAN, Aadhaar, bank statements, Form 16, and all those messy investment proofs.

Here is a step-by-step guide to filing your ITR online:

1. Register or Log in to the E-Filing Portal

   Hit the official Income Tax e-filing website. First time here? Click ‘Register,’ punch in your PAN and contact details, and you’re set. If you’re an existing user, log in with your PAN (that’s your User ID, remember?), password, and the secure access message. Crucially: Make damn sure your PAN and Aadhaar are linked. If they aren’t, you’re looking at issues.

2. Navigate to the ITR Filing Section

   On the dashboard, find the ‘e-File’ menu. X happened. And then Y followed: Select ‘Income Tax Returns,’ and finally click on ‘File Income Tax Return.’ It’s a clear path.

3. Select the Relevant Details

   A new page pops up. You need to tell the system a few things:

   • Assessment Year (AY): Choose the correct one (e.g., AY 2025-26 for the income you earned in Financial Year 2024-25). Don’t mess this up, or nothing works.

   • Mode of Filing: You’re doing this online. Choose ‘Online’.

   • Status: Are you an ‘Individual’, HUF, or Firm? Pick the applicable status.

   • ITR Form: This is the kicker. Pick the right form based on where your income comes from:

     • ITR-1 (Sahaj): For resident individuals with a total income up to ₹50 lakh from salary, one house property, and simple other sources (like interest).

     • ITR-2: For individuals with capital gains, or multiple house properties (but not business/profession income).

     • ITR-3: For individuals/HUFs with income from a business or profession.

     • ITR-4 (Sugam): For small taxpayers (individuals, HUFs, firms, other than LLPs) using the presumptive business/professional income scheme (Section 44AD/44ADA/44AE) with total income up to ₹50 lakh.

4. Fill in and Verify Details

   The portal tries to help—it gives you a pre-filled form with personal details, salary info (from Form 16), and deductions (from Form 26AS/AIS).

   • Review and Validate: Go line by line. Check those bank account details for any potential refunds. This is where most people get burned.

   • Enter Remaining Information: Add any missing income (like that side-gig interest not pre-filled), claim your eligible deductions (80C, 80D, etc.). Disclose everything.

5. Compute Tax and Pay Dues (if any)

   The portal spits out your final tax bill.

   • Tax Liability: If you owe money, you have to pay the outstanding amount via ‘Pay Now’ before the final submission. Pay it, or don’t submit. Simple.

   • Refund: If you’re getting cash back, the amount will be displayed right there in the summary.

6. Preview and Submit the Return

   Preview the whole thing. Make sure there are no typos or errors. Hit ‘Proceed to Validation’. Once that passes, hit ‘Proceed to Verification’.

7. E-Verify Your ITR

   This is the finish line. An unverified return is just not filed. You have to do this within 30 days of filing:

   • Aadhaar OTP (recommended): Quickest way.

   • Electronic Verification Code (EVC): Do it through net banking or a pre-validated bank/Demat account.

   • The old-school way: Send a signed physical copy of the ITR-V to the CPC in Bengaluru via speed post. Nobody wants to do this, though.

Once it’s e-verified, you get an acknowledgement. That’s it. You can track the status later in ‘View Filed Returns’. It’s an ongoing process.

Recommended Reading:

PF Transfer After Job Change: The Official Online Step-by-Step Guide for…

---

DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional financial or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or the official Income Tax Department for specific guidance related to your tax compliance. We are just giving you the field notes on how the process works.

 

– Advertisement –