Filing your income tax return (ITR) is how you report income, claim deductions, reconcile TDS and either pay the balance tax or claim a refund. The entire process is online on the Income Tax e-filing portal.
This guide walks through choosing the right form and regime, the documents you need, and how to e-file and verify.
What is How to File Income Tax Return (ITR) online?
An ITR is a form in which you declare income for a financial year, compute tax under your chosen regime, and reconcile it with taxes already paid (TDS, advance tax, self-assessment tax).
There are seven ITR forms (ITR-1 to ITR-7); the correct one depends on your income sources and taxpayer type.
Due date: 31 July
Documents required
- PAN and Aadhaar (linked)
- Form 16 (salaried)
- Form 26AS and AIS/TIS
- Bank and interest statements
- Capital gains statements
- Deduction proofs (for old regime)
Step-by-step process
- Collect documents. Download Form 26AS and AIS, and gather Form 16 and investment proofs.
- Choose the regime. Compare tax under the new and old regimes and pick the lower one.
- Select the ITR form. Choose the correct ITR form for your income sources.
- Fill and validate. Enter income and deductions on the portal; the tax is computed automatically.
- Pay and e-verify. Pay any balance tax, submit, and e-verify within 30 days via Aadhaar OTP, net banking or other modes.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I miss the ITR due date?
You can file a belated return with a late fee of up to ₹5,000 under Section 234F, and you lose the ability to carry forward some losses.
Is e-verification mandatory?
Yes. An unverified return is treated as not filed. Verify within 30 days of filing.