How to file income tax returns (ITR) online in India

How to file income tax returns (ITR) online in IndiaHow to file income tax returns (ITR) online in India

This year, Income tax department has indicated that any individual whose income exceeds Rs 5 lakhs and above has to do e-filing of their income tax returns. Though we would think that a professional CA or a Tax professional can do this, if you can understand the process, you can do this yourself. In this article, we would discuss about how a salary individual can file the income tax returns online.  

Documents to be kept ready before you start the process?

Please keep the documents like PAN card, your previous IT return copy, Form-16 before you start filling the IT returns online.

Also read: How to check income tax refund online

Step-by-step-process on how to file income tax returns online

Step-1: Visit Income tax department site : https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/e-Filing/UserLogin/LoginHome.html

Step-2: If you are already registered, you can proceed for logging into system. Else click on register option and proceed for registration. Once registration is complete, login to website with user ID(PAN number) and password.

Step-3: Check the taxed paid by you. Go to my account -à view tax credit statement (Form 26AS) and provide the assessment year2013-14, date of birth and security code to get these details.

Generally, tax indicated in form-16 and Form 26AS would be same. In such case there are no issues. However in case form-16 shows less tax than what is indicated in Form26AS, it means that you have paid excess tax and to get Income tax refund.

Step-4: Click on downloads option to download the IT return file

  • Click on downloads option
  • Efiling à Assessment year 2013-14 à Individual/HUF à ITR-1 (Sahaj). If you have more than one house property and want to update income from house property or update interest from house property, select ITR-2 as ITR-1 do not have this option.

Step-5: Extract the excel file from the downloaded zip file

  • Click on enable macros active X controls in case they are not enabled in your system.
  • The ITR file would work only on MS-Excel and not on any other applications

Step-6: Fill the excel file with relevant income details, tax paid details and bank details etc., Once you fill the info, click on “Generate” tab. A Pre-XML sheet gets created. Verify that all info is correct and click on “Save XML” option.

Also read: Best Tax Free investments in India

Step-7: Submit the IT returns: Ensure you are logged into the income tax department website. Select my account à Submit Return à assessment year 2013-14. Select whether you want to use digitally signed file in case you already have it, else, say No and proceed further. Click on upload button and you would see process completion message.  If you have done through digital signature, the process is complete. You would get your ITR-V acknowledgement to your mail ID.

Step-8: If you have not submitted your digital signature, you need to download the ITR-V acknowledgement and sign the copy so that IT department knows that this is submitted by you and send a copy of the signed copy to “Income Tax Department-CPC, Post Bag no # 1, Electronics City Post Office, Bangalore – 560 100, Karnataka”. Send the signed document only through normal post of speed post. Do not send it through courier as they would reject it. The ITR-V acknowledgement signed copy should be sent within 120 days after submitting excel (XML) file. The acknowledgement would be received in two weeks time to your email ID from IT Department, Bangalore after this. Once this is done, the process is complete.

Also Read:  Step-by-step process on rectifying income tax return online

Conclusion: Though the process of income tax returns filing online is cumbersome, if we know the step-by-step process, I feel it is easier to do it. In case you have various streams of income like salary, income from business or income from more than one house property, you need to file other ITR’s, hence taking professional help would be a good idea.

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Suresh

How to file income tax returns online in India

Suresh KP

158 comments

  1. This is very helpful article on how to file income tax return. Appricaite your efforts. Do you know Bloggers also need to submit your income tax.

    1. Pawan, Yes, if you earn income from blogging, you need to show this income and file IT Returns. However, you can claim the expenses relating to the blogging and you can pay tax only on net income.

  2. I am filling online returns from last 2 years. but my question is how to provide proofs of additional investment done which is not included in form 16. I have investment done under 80C which is not included in form 16 provided by company. I know I can include it while filling return but how to do it(My Income is more than 5lks so need to fill online). Should I send them with ITR-V acknowledgement ?
     

  3. Hi Suresh,

    I will be filing ITR for the first time. Can you please tell me whether this requires any additional process or the same as you have described above?

     

    1. Vikram, What I indicated is complete process. Since you are doing for first time, you should know all the terms used in ITR before you start the process. Download the excel XML file and do let me know in case you have any questions regd this.

  4. Thank you very much Suresh for this information. Every time I'm paying 200 to 300 for thrid party to file returns. This time I'll do it myself and when I googled regarding this I read like from this AY some other ITR form also needs to be filled. Please clarify.

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