Step-by-Step Guide to File ITR Online on Income Tax Portal

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) has become simpler and faster with the digital transformation of the Income Tax Department’s e-filing system in India. Gone are the days of paperwork and standing in long queues. Today, any individual can file their ITR from the comfort of their home using the official Income Tax e-filing portal.

Whether you are a salaried employee, a freelancer, or a small business owner, filing your return is both a legal obligation and a sign of financial discipline. In this detailed article, we provide a step-by-step guide to filing your ITR online — covering everything from account registration to submission and verification.

Who Should File ITR?

Before we dive into the process, let’s briefly understand who needs to file an ITR:

• Individuals with gross total income above the basic exemption limit (₹2.5 lakh for below 60 years, ₹3 lakh for senior citizens)
• Those who want to claim a refund
• If you have foreign income or assets
• Individuals with capital gains, or business income
• If you have deposited more than ₹1 crore in a bank account or spent over ₹2 lakh on foreign travel
• If you're required to file under Section 139 (1)

Documents Required Before Filing ITR

Keep these documents ready:

• PAN & Aadhaar card
• Form 16 (from employer)
• Form 26AS (available on the portal)
• Annual Information Statement (AIS)
• Bank account details
• Interest certificates (from banks, post office, etc.)
• Proof of tax-saving investments
• Details of capital gains, rental income, or business income
• Previous year’s ITR (optional but helpful)

Step-by-Step Guide to File ITR Online

✅ Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal

Go to https://www.incometax.gov.in and click on “Login” at the top-right corner.

✅ Step 2: Log In to Your Account

Use your PAN (as User ID), enter the password, and the CAPTCHA code.

New user? Click on “Register” to create your account using PAN details.

✅ Step 3: Go to 'File Income Tax Return'

Once logged in, click on the ‘e-File’ tab in the top menu, then select:
‘Income Tax Return’ → ‘File Income Tax Return’

✅ Step 4: Choose the Assessment Year

• Select the Assessment Year (e.g., for FY 2024–25, choose AY 2025–26).
• Choose the mode of filing as Online.

✅ Step 5: Select Your Filing Status

Choose your applicable category:

• Individual
• HUF
• Others (for firms, companies, etc.)

✅ Step 6: Select the Appropriate ITR Form

Based on your income sources:

• ITR-1 (Sahaj) – for salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh
• ITR-2 – for individuals with capital gains, more than one house property, etc.
• ITR-3 – for income from business/profession
• ITR-4 (Sugam) – for presumptive taxation under Sec 44AD/44ADA

If unsure, the portal may suggest the appropriate form based on your PAN and AIS/26AS.

✅ Step 7: Check Pre-Filled Information

The Income Tax portal auto-fills many sections from:

• Form 16
• Form 26AS
• AIS (Annual Information Statement)

Review these carefully. Make corrections wherever necessary.

✅ Step 8: Fill in Income Details

Manually input or verify:

• Salary/pension details
• House property income
• Interest income
• Capital gains (if any)
• Business/professional income

✅ Step 9: Claim Deductions under Chapter VI-A

Under Sections like 80C, 80D, 80G, etc., enter:

• LIC premiums
• PPF/ELSS contributions
• Health insurance premiums
• Donations to charitable trusts

Ensure you have supporting documents in case of scrutiny.

✅ Step 10: Compute Tax and Check for Refund or Payable Amount

The portal auto-calculates your total tax liability based on:

• Income
• Deductions
• TDS/TCS already paid

You’ll see if you’re due for a refund or need to pay additional tax.

If tax is payable, pay via Challan 280 under the “e-Pay Tax” section.

✅ Step 11: Preview and Submit the Return

Before final submission:

• Preview the filled form
• Check each section carefully
• If satisfied, click ‘Proceed to Verification’

✅ Step 12: Verify Your ITR

You must verify your ITR within 30 days of submission.

Modes of e-verification:

• Aadhaar OTP (most popular and instant)
• Net banking
• Bank ATM (via ATM PIN)
• Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Alternatively, you can send a signed physical ITR-V to CPC, Bengaluru.

After Filing: What’s Next?

• Once verified, the ITR status changes to ‘Verified’
• The return is then processed by the CPC
• You will receive an intimation under Section 143(1) on your registered email
• If you’re eligible, the refund is credited directly to your bank account

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Selecting the wrong ITR form
• Not reporting all income sources
• Claiming ineligible deductions
• Ignoring TDS mismatches
• Failing to verify ITR on time

Conclusion

Filing your ITR online is not just a legal requirement—it empowers you to take control of your finances, apply for loans, and even travel abroad with ease. The Income Tax portal is designed to be user-friendly, secure, and transparent.

Whether you do it yourself or take help from a tax expert, make sure to file accurately and on time. The due date for ITR filing (for most individuals) is July 31 of the assessment year. Delay may attract penalties.

Be smart. Be on time. File your ITR confidently online.
Because a financially responsible citizen is a powerful citizen.