File Income Tax Return Online: Step by Step Guide

How to file income tax return online?

According to the Income Tax Act, 1961, Section 139(1) of India, during previous year, those persons whose complete income is more than that amount which is not included in the tax for the computation of taxable income, they need to file the returns of the income tax.

The entire procedure of filing the return of income tax electronically is called as e-filing. You can either file the returns of income tax online by registered yourself on the official website of the department of income tax of the Government of India or you can consult a tax professional for getting the assistance to file your income tax return.

31^st July is the due date for filing the income tax returns either online or physically.

Who can file returns of income tax via e-filing?

Filing the return of income tax online is very easy and many assesses can e-file their income tax return.

The following category of persons need to file their income tax return through e-filing.

• HUF/Individual residents with location of assets outside the country.
• Those persons having a total income more than Rs. 5 Lakhs or Rs. 5 Lakhs.
• The assesses need to provide the audit report under the sections 115JB, 92E, 80LA, 80JJAA, 80ID, 80IC, 80IB, 80IA, 44AB, 12A (1) (b), 10A, 10 (23C) (VI), 10(23C) (v), and 10(23C) (IV) of the Income Tax act of India.
• Under the section 11(2), the assesses need to send a notice to the officer assessing.
• A local authority (ITR5), cooperative society, artificial juridical person, BOI, AOP, firm (which section 44AB provisions are not applicable).
• Under the section 139 (4B) (ITR7), the assessee need to furnish the returns.
• A person having authority of signing an account situated outside India.
• Under the section 91, a person claiming the deductions or under the sections 90A or 90, a person claiming relief.
• All the companies.

E-filing types

Without or with digital signature certificate, via an ERI (E-return intermediary), you can easily e-file returns of the income tax.

To e-file returns of the income tax, you can use DSC (Digital Signature Certificate). It is necessary to file returns of income tax by using DSC via a CA (chartered accountant).

Without using DSC, if you e-file your income tax return, then the ITR V form is created. It must be signed, printed and submitted to the CPC, Bangalore via speed post or ordinary post within 120 days from the e-filing date.

How to select the correct form to e-file the Income Tax Return?

It is very difficult to select the right form while filing the income tax return via e-filing. The various types of ITR (Income Tax Return) forms are given below.

1. ITR 7: The individuals include companies need to file income tax return under the section 139 (4D) or Section 139(4C) or section 139 (4B), or section 139 (4A), can file online returns of income tax.
2. ITR 6: under the section 11, those companies which claims exemption.
3. ITR 5: LLP, BOIs, AOPs and Firms.
4. ITR 4S (SUGAM): HUF/Individuals having business presumptive income.
5. ITR 4: HUFs and Individuals having income from the profession or a proprietary business.
6. ITR 3: HUFS/Individuals being the firm partners and not doing profession or business below any proprietorship.
7. ITR 2: HUF (Hindu Undivided Families) not having income from profession or business.
8. ITR 1 (Sahaj): Persons with income from interest and salary.

Examine Your Tax Credit to File Income Tax Return Online – Form 16 vs Form 26AS

Before filing the income tax returns, you need to examine the form 26AS. It displays the tax amount which is subtracted from your wages and deposited with the department of income tax via your employer. You need to make sure that the deducted tax from your total income according to the form 16 must similar to the form 26AS figures.

If you e-file your income tax returns without errors clarity, then you will receive a notice from the department of income tax.

Claim other deductions, savings certificates and 80G

You can easily claim additional deductions if you do not remember to claim these deductions. Under the section 80G, you can claim deductions on those donations which are given to charitable institutes.

Statement of Interest: Interest on Fixed Deposits and Saving Accounts

Deduction around Rs. 10,000 is permitted on earned interest on the accounts of savings. The interest which you earned on the deposits in the bank is an important component of your income taxable and it is taxable at rates of slab applicable.

You also require to possess:

1. Statements of bank
2. Previous year returns of tax
3. Certificates of TDS
4. Reports of audit, Balance Sheet, and Profit and Loss Statement of Account

List of necessary documents for Income Tax Returns e-Filing

1. Details of bank account
2. PAN Number
3. Income from salary
4. Receipts of rent for HRA claiming
5. Form 16
6. Slips of pay
7. House property address
8. Co-owners information like PAN details and their total share in the property mentioned
9. Home loan interest certificates
10. Date of completion of construction, if you buy the property under construction
11. If property is rented, rental income and tenant name
12. If there are gains of capital from shares selling, then statement of trading of stock and details of purchase is required
13. If the property or house is sold, then details of capital gain, registration details, purchase price, and the sale price
14. Details of SIPS, ELSS, debt funds, purchase and sale of funds of equity, and mutual fund statement details
15. Interest income is required. Statements of bank account is needed if the interest is accumulated in the account of savings.
16. Income of interest from corporate bonds and tax saving bonds
17. Details of income from the post office is required
18. Rates of income tax slab for assessment year 2018-2019 and financial year 2017-18

For HUF and individuals having less than 60 years of age

Slab of income tax	Rate of tax
If the total income is up to Rs. 2,50,000	Nil
If the income is more than Rs. 2,50,000 and up to Rs. 5,00,00	5%
If the income is more than Rs. 5,00,000 and up to Rs. 10,00,000	20%
If the income is more than Rs. 10,00,000	30%

If the total income is between Rs. 50 Lakhs to Rs. 1 crore, then a surcharge of 10% tax is imposed.

If the income is more than Rs. 1 crore, then a surcharge of 15% tax is imposed.

For HUF and Individuals having age more than 60 years and less than 80 years:

Slab of income tax	Rate of tax
If the income is around Rs. 5,00,000	Nil
If the income is more than Rs. 5,00,000 and around Rs. 10,00,000	20%
If the income is more than Rs. 10,00,000	30%

If the income is around Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore, then a surcharge of 10% tax is imposed.

If the income is more than Rs. 1 crore, then a surcharge of 15% tax is imposed.

Due Dates for Income tax Returns Filing

The due date for filing return of income tax for Body of Individuals (BOI)/Association of Persons (AOP)/Individuals/Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) is 31st July every year. Take an example, the due date for filing the ITR for the financial year 2018-2019 is 31^st July 2019.

To file the returns of income tax, you need to follow the following steps:

1. You need to login to the official website of the department of income tax i.e. https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/home and then you require to register on this website.
2. To login, your user ID is your PAN number
3. You can see the form 26AS or your statement of tax credit. According to your Form 16, the TDS need to be matches with the form 26AS figures.
4. You can select the financial year by clicking on the form of returns of income tax.
5. Then you need to download the form of ITR which is suitable for you. if your income exempted is more than Rs. 5,000, then you need to use the form ITR-2. If your form applicable is ITR 4S or ITR-1, then you can finish the procedure on the website by deploying the link ‘Quick e-file ITR’.
6. You need to open the utility in MS Excel i.e. a software of downloadable preparation of return and then you require to fill the form by inputting the necessary information from your Form 16.
7. By clicking the tab ‘calculate tax’, you can examine the amount of payable tax.
8. You require to pay the applicable tax and then you need to fill the details in the challan.
9. By clicking the tab “validate”, you can verify the entire data in the worksheet.
10. Now you need to create an XML file and then you can save this file on your PC.
11. You can upload the XML file by website panel ‘upload return’.
12. A pop-up menu is shown on the screen and it will ask you to sign the file digitally. If you possess the digital signature, then choose “Yes”, if not then choose ‘No”.
13. The form of acknowledgement ITR-V is created and you need to download this.
14. You need to print the ITR-V form and then you need to sign this form by using a blue ink pen.
15. You need to dispatch this form by speed post or via ordinary mail to the department of income tax at the address: CPC, PO Box No. 1, Electronic City, Post Office, Bangalore, 560100, Karnataka with in 120 days of online returns filing.

File ITR 4S and ITR 1 Online

To file ITR 4S and ITR 1 online, you need to follow the steps given below.

• Create and Submit ITR 4S (Sugam)/ITR1 online
• You get the option of submitting the ITR 4S /ITR1 forms by submission online or by XML uploading.
• You need to login to the application e-filing
• Then click on ‘e-file’, and then click on ‘Prepare and Submit ITR Online’.
• The next step is to choose the assessment year and the form of income tax return ITR4S/ITR1.
• You need to enter the information and then click on the button ‘Submit’. The next step is to select Digital Signature Certificate and then click on ‘Submit’.
• After the submission of return, detail of acknowledgement is shown.
• To printout or generate the form of acknowledgement/ITR-V form, you need to click on the link.
• To deploy the digital signature certificate, you need to register on the application of e-filing. You can perform this by login to the e-file portal of the department of income tax and then modifying the section “Profile Settings”. In the section ‘Profile Settings’, you need to choose ‘Register Digital Signature Certificate’ and then you require to download the utility e-filing DSC Management of the income tax department.

You also have the option to use a private website for filing the returns of income tax online. These portals charge a nominal fee around Rs. 300 for the types of services provided by them.

During e-filing you need to consider some points which are given below:

• If the similar email ID’s or mobile number is deployed for the number of taxpayers more than four, then you are not allowed to file return on the portal unless you perform the necessary changes.
• If your name is written on official statements or the bank documents is little bit different from the name mentioned in your PAN card, then according to the website, you are a different person.
• If you are a non-resident Indian and want to file the returns of income tax, then you will require a foreign number and an Indian number.

Frequently Asked Questions: e-filing Returns of Income Tax

Can a person file online ITR without having an account on the official website of the income tax department of India?

No without having an account, you are not able to file ITR online. For filing the ITR, you need to create an account on the official website of the income tax department of India.

After how many days I can verify the return of income tax, which I online filed?

After 120 days you can verify the income tax return which you file online.

Do I verify electronically my income tax return rather than sending its hardcopy to CPC, Bangalore?

Yes, you can verify electronically your return of income tax via an EVC (electronic verification code) or via an OTP by linking your Aadhar and PAN.

Can I file my income tax return online before my entire payments of tax are done?

Yes, you can file your income tax return online before your entire payments of tax are done.

How I can check the income tax refund status?

You can check the status of your income tax refund online on the official portal of the department of income tax of India. You require to input your PAN number and need to select the right assessment year.

What is meant by ITR-V?

If you file income tax return online without deploying digital signature certificate or your e-file the ITR via ERI (E-return intermediary), then the form ITR-V is generated. You require to sign and print this form. After that you need to submit this form to CPC, Bangalore via ordinary mail or the speed post within 120 days after the e-filing date.