Step-by-Step Guide to Filing ITR Online

#1. Gather Necessary Documents

Before starting the process, make sure you have the following documents ready:

• PAN card (Personal Account Number)
• Aadhaar card
• Bank account details (Bank account number and IFSC code)
• Form 16 (provided by your employer, if you are salaried)
• Salary slips
• Details of other income (e.g., interest, rental income)
• TDS certificates (if applicable)
• Deductions under section 80C, 80D, etc.
• Form 26AS (Tax Credit Statement)

#2. Register/Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing Portal

Before moving forward, it’s important to get a clear picture of where you stand financially.

• Visit the Income Tax Department’s e-Filing website: www.incometax.gov.in
• If you have not registered yet, you will need to create an account. You can do this by clicking on the “New User? Register Here” option.
  • Fill in the required details (PAN number, password, security question, etc.).
• If you are already registered, simply log in using your credentials.

#3. Select the Relevant ITR Form

• Once logged in, click on “e-File” in the top menu.
• Then, click on “Income Tax Return”.
• Select the assessment year (the year you are filing for), for example, for FY 2023-24, the assessment year will be 2024-25.
• Choose the ITR form that applies to you:
  • ITR-1 (Sahaj) – For salaried individuals, pensioners, and those with income from one house property, other sources (like interest).
  • ITR-2 – For individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUF) not having income from business or profession.
  • ITR-3 – For individuals and HUFs having income from business or profession.
  • ITR-4 (Sugam) – For presumptive income taxpayers (e.g., self-employed).
  • ITR-5 to ITR-7 – For different types of taxpayers such as firms, LLPs, etc.

#4. Fill in the Income Details

• Personal Information: Name, PAN, address, etc.
• Income Details: Enter your total income from all sources, including salary, interest, house property, and other income.
• Income from Salary: If you’re salaried, enter your income from Form 16 or salary slips.
• Other Income: Add income from sources such as savings interest, dividends, or rental income.
• Deductions: Enter deductions under various sections like 80C, 80D, etc.
• Tax Paid: Include details of advance tax or self-assessment tax paid.

#5. Verify the Taxable Income and Tax Calculation

• The system will automatically calculate your taxable income based on the information you’ve entered.
• Tax computation: The system will then calculate the tax payable based on your taxable income and applicable tax slabs.
• Check for any additional taxes like surcharge, cess, etc., and make sure to fill them in if applicable.

#6. Claim Refund or Pay Tax

• If the system indicates that you have tax payable, ensure that you pay it before submitting the return.
  • The payment can be made via Net Banking or by generating a challan on the e-filing portal.
• If you’ve already paid advance tax or TDS, the system will show whether you’re eligible for a refund.
  • If eligible, ensure that you have provided the correct bank details for the refund to be processed.

#7. Validate Your Information

• After entering all the details, validate the information by clicking on “Validate”.
• This step will check for any errors or missing information.
• Correct any errors that are flagged.

#8. Submit the ITR

• Once everything is validated and you are confident that all the information is correct, click on the “Submit” button.
• You’ll get a confirmation message saying your return has been successfully submitted.

#9. E-Verify the Return

• After submission, you will need to e-verify your ITR for it to be processed by the Income Tax Department.
• There are multiple ways to e-verify:
  1. Aadhaar OTP (if linked with PAN)
  2. Net Banking (if your bank supports it)
  3. Digital Signature (DSC) – for businesses or professionals
  4. EVC via Bank Account (Electronic Verification Code)
  5. Send a signed copy of ITR-V to CPC Bangalore (if you don’t have Aadhaar or other verification methods)
• E-Verification is the final step to confirm your return is filed, and once done, the department will process your return.

#10. Download the Acknowledgment (ITR-V)

• After successful e-verification, you will receive an ITR-V Acknowledgment which you can download for your records.
• This document is proof that you have filed your return.

#11. Download the Acknowledgment (ITR-V)

If you’ve applied for a refund, you can track the status by logging into the Income Tax Portal and clicking on “View Status”.