ITR filing: How to file Income Tax Returns online, your step-by-step guide

ITR filing last date: The due date to file ITR for Assessment Year (AY) 2022-23 for salaried taxpayers & non-auditable accounts is July 31. ITR can be filed online as well as offline.

ITR filing is an obligation on the taxpayers under the Income Tax Act, 1961. The government in the last few years has made the ITR filing process easier and also reported a substantial rise in the number of tax return filings.

ITR filing online: Taxpayers can file ITR 1 and ITR 4 online. Taxpayers need to fill data directly online at the e-filing portal and submit it. 

Here is how taxpayers can file ITR 1 and ITR 4 online. Your step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Go to the Income Tax e-Filing portal, https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/

Step 2: Login to e-Filing portal by entering user ID (PAN), Password, Captcha code and click 'Login'.

Step 3: Click on the 'e-File' menu and click the 'Income Tax Return' link.

Step 4 : Income Tax Return Home Page will appear:

• PAN will be auto-populated
• Select 'Assessment Year'
• Select 'ITR Form Number'
• Select 'Filing Type' as 'Original/Revised Return'
• Select 'Submission Mode' as 'Prepare and Submit Online'

Step 5: Click on 'Continue'.

Step 6: Read the Instructions carefully and Fill all the applicable and mandatory fields of the Online ITR Form.

Step 7 : Choose the appropriate Verification option in the 'Taxes Paid and Verification' tab.Choose any one of the following option to verify the Income Tax Return:

• I would like to e-Verify
• I would like to e-Verify later within 120 days from date of filing.
• I don't want to e-Verify and would like to send signed ITR-V through normal or speed post to "Centralized Processing Center, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru - 560 500" within 120 days from date of filing.

Step 8 : Click on 'Preview and Submit' button, Verify all the data entered in the ITR.

Step 9 : 'Submit' the ITR

Step 10 : On Choosing 'I would like to e-Verify' option, e-Verification can be done through any of the following methods by entering the EVC/OTP when asked for.

Step 11 : The EVC/OTP should be entered within 60 seconds, else the Income Tax Return (ITR) will be auto-submitted. The submitted ITR should be verified later by using 'My Account > e-Verify Return' option or by sending signed ITR-V to CPC.

Step 12 : To view the uploaded ITRs go to https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/ 

Who can use ITR 1?

Return Form ITR - 1 (SAHAJ) can be used by an individual whose total income includes:

• Income from salary/pension; or
• Income from one house property (excluding cases where loss is brought forward from previous years); or
• Income from other sources (excluding winnings from lottery and income from race horses, income taxable under section 115BBDA or Income of the nature referred to in section 115BBE).

Who can use ITR 4?

Return Form ITR - 4 can be used by an Individual/HUF/Firm (Other than LLP) whose total income for the year includes:

• Business income computed as per the provisions of section 44AD or44AE; or;
• Income from Profession as computed as per the provisions of44ADA
• Income from salary/pension; or
• Income from one house property (excluding cases where loss is brought forward from previous years); or
• Income from other sources (excluding winnings from lottery and income from race horses dividend income in excess of Rs. 10 lakhs or unexplained Income, etc. as referred to in section 115BBE)

Further, in a case where the income of another person like spouse, minor child, etc., is to be clubbed with the income of the taxpayer, this return form can be used where income to be clubbed falls in any of the above categories.