Filing your income tax return is simpler than it looks, especially if you're salaried. Most people can finish it online in under an hour on the official e-filing portal, incometax.gov.in.
Documents to keep ready
- Form 16 from your employer (salary and TDS details).
- AIS and Form 26AS — download from the portal; they show TDS, interest, dividends and high-value transactions reported about you.
- Bank interest certificates, and proofs for deductions if you use the old regime (80C, 80D, home loan interest, rent receipts).
- PAN linked with Aadhaar, and a pre-validated bank account for refunds.
Which ITR form?
- ITR-1 (Sahaj): resident individuals with salary, one house property and other income such as interest, with total income up to ₹50 lakh.
- ITR-2: if you have capital gains (for example from selling shares or mutual funds), more than one house property, or income above ₹50 lakh — and no business income.
- ITR-3 / ITR-4: for business or professional income.
Eligibility rules can change each year, so the portal will guide you if you pick the wrong form.
Step-by-step filing
- Log in to incometax.gov.in with your PAN and password.
- Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return.
- Choose the assessment year and online mode, then select your status (individual) and ITR form.
- Most details are pre-filled from your employer and AIS — check every number against Form 16 and your bank records.
- Choose your tax regime. The new regime is the default; select the old regime if it saves you more.
- Add any missing income (such as savings or FD interest) and deductions, and confirm the tax calculation.
- Pay any tax due, or check the refund amount, then submit.
- E-verify using Aadhaar OTP or net banking. A return isn't complete until it is verified, which must be done within 30 days of filing.
Deadlines
For salaried individuals who don't need an audit, the due date is usually 31 July after the end of the financial year, unless the government extends it. Filing late can attract a fee and interest, and you may lose the option to carry forward certain losses.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting to report savings account and FD interest.
- Not matching TDS with Form 26AS/AIS.
- Choosing the wrong regime — compare both first.
- Forgetting to e-verify after submitting.
Before you start, compare regimes with the income tax calculator or see tax by salary.