Filing income tax returns on time is a crucial aspect of personal finance. Thanks to digitization, it has become easy to file returns. In fact, a new income tax portal was launched last year to ease the process further. ITR filing online is now easier than before. If you are wondering how to file income tax return online, read on.

ITR Filing Online: The Steps

If you are ITR e-filing for the first time, you need to register yourself. Before registering to e-file income tax, have the following documents ready: 

• Valid and active PAN
• Mobile number and email id

Note that to file income tax return online, you must have all the relevant documents before you start to e-file income tax. Some of the essential documents are:

• Salary slips
• Passbook of bank and post office savings account
• PPF account passbook

Some other documents that you might require are:

• Form 16A

This is needed if TDS is deducted on payments apart from salaries such as interest received from fixed deposits, recurring deposits, etc.

• Form 16

This certificate issued by your employer provides details of your salary and the TDS deducted if any.

• Form 26AS

It’s your annual consolidated tax statement that consist of all taxes deposited as against your PAN.

• Form 16C

It provides details of TDS deducted on rent, if any.

Now, visit the income tax portal, www.incometax.gov.in, and click on “Register”.

Select “Taxpayer”, enter your PAN and click on validate. You need to confirm if you want to register as an “Individual Taxpayer”. Once your PAN is validated successfully, click on “Continue”. 

Next, enter basic details like your name, date of birth, gender, and residential status. Once you fill in these details, click on “Continue”.

Provide your contact details (phone number/email address and communication address). You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. Input the OTP and click on “Continue”. Verify all the details and click on “Confirm”. Now, set up a Password and a personalized message that will show every time you log in. Now, click on “Register,” and your account is created.

Once you’ve registered, log in by using your credentials. Your PAN is your user ID. Once you log in, for e-filing of income tax return, go to “e-File” tab, choose “Income Tax Returns” and select “File Income Tax Return”.

Next, choose between online and offline modes and the assessment year for ITR e-filing. Choose “Online”.

Next, in the process of e-filing income tax return online, you need to choose the ITR form. Based on your source of income, you need to select the form - ITR 1, ITR 2, and so on. 

Once you’ve selected the form, go ahead to file returns. You will go to the window where you need to make declarations for the purpose of filing returns.

Now fill up the relevant schedules. You can modify or confirm the pre-filled information if required. Double-check and enter all the relevant information, including deductions in the salary schedule. 

The next step in ITR e-filing is to verify the information, especially the deductions, capital gains, and salary. Once you do that, submit your returns. Before submitting the returns, choose the verification method.

However, note that mere submission of return is not enough. You need to verify it too. Without that, your ITR e-filing is incomplete. To verify your returns, go to menu>e-file>Income Tax Returns>e-verify returns. Once you do that, you will get an electronic verification code that you need to verify. You need to verify the returns within 120 days of return filing to complete the process fully. 

You can e-verify the returns through any of the modes below:

• Netbanking
• Bank ATM
• Aadhaar OTP
• Bank account number
• Demat account number

Once you e-verify the returns, you do not need to send a physically signed copy to CPC Bengaluru.

Now that you know how to file income tax returns online, it’s equally essential for you to learn the stage of your return filing. You can do so in two ways:

• Visit the income tax portal, and click on ITR status tab on the left-hand side. Fill your PAN number, ITR acknowledgment number, and the captcha code. Once you do so, the status is displayed on your screen.

• The other option is to log into the website with your credentials and click on “View Returns/Forms”. Select “Income Tax Return and the Assessment Year”. Once done, the status of your return is displayed on the screen.

Conclusion

ITR e-filing is easy. If you find it difficult to file returns yourself, you can watch online videos or take help from an expert. It’s vital to file returns on time to avoid last-minute rush, stress, and subsequent penalties. ITR e-filing on time also acts as an essential document for availing loans, claiming TDS refunds, and contributing to nation-building.

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