Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) online has become mandatory for most taxpayers in India. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process of e-filing your ITR for Assessment Year 2026–27 (Financial Year 2025–26) on the new Income Tax portal at incometax.gov.in.
Who Must File ITR?
- Individuals with gross income above ₹2.5 lakh (₹3 lakh for senior citizens) before deductions
- Anyone with foreign assets or foreign income, regardless of income level
- Individuals claiming tax refunds on TDS deducted
- Companies and firms, irrespective of profit or loss
- Individuals with income from business, profession, or capital gains
- Those paying electricity bills above ₹1 lakh annually
Step 1: Choose the Correct ITR Form
| ITR Form | Who Should File |
|---|---|
| ITR-1 (Sahaj) | Salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh, one house property, other sources |
| ITR-2 | Individuals with capital gains, two or more house properties, foreign income/assets |
| ITR-3 | Business/profession income with books of accounts (includes F&O traders) |
| ITR-4 (Sugam) | Presumptive income under Sec 44AD, 44ADA, 44AE (turnover up to ₹2 crore) |
| ITR-5 | Partnership firms, LLPs, AOPs, BOIs |
| ITR-6 | Companies (except those claiming exemption under Sec 11) |
| ITR-7 | Trusts, political parties, research institutions |
Step 2: Gather Documents Before Filing
- Form 16 (Part A and Part B) from employer
- Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS) from income tax portal
- Bank interest certificates (FD, savings account)
- Proof of investments for deductions (80C, 80D, 80G etc.)
- Capital gains statements from broker/mutual fund house
- Rent receipts if claiming HRA exemption
- Home loan certificate for interest deduction (Section 24)
- Foreign income details if applicable
Step 3: Log In to Income Tax Portal
Visit incometax.gov.in and log in using your PAN as User ID. If you haven't registered, click 'Register' and complete the one-time registration using your PAN, Aadhaar, and mobile number.
Step 4: Start Filing — e-File → File Income Tax Return
- Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return
- Select Assessment Year 2026-27 and Mode of Filing as 'Online'
- Select the appropriate ITR form based on Step 1
- Choose 'Continue' — the portal will pre-fill data from Form 26AS, AIS, and employer TDS returns
- Verify pre-filled data: salary, TDS, interest income, capital gains
- Add any missing income (freelance, rent, other sources) and claim deductions
- Preview and submit — review the computed tax liability
Step 5: Pay Tax Due (if any)
If your return shows tax payable after TDS credit, pay the balance via Challan 280 on the portal or NSDL before submitting. Note: Self-assessment tax (after March 31) attracts interest under Section 234B and 234C.
Step 6: E-Verify Your ITR (Mandatory within 30 days)
- Aadhaar OTP (instant — recommended)
- Net banking (EVC through your bank)
- Bank account number or Demat account number
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) — for companies, audit cases
- Physical ITR-V by post to CPC Bengaluru (takes 2–3 months)
Note: From July 2023 onwards, e-verification is mandatory within 30 days of filing. An unverified return is treated as not filed — you will not receive refunds and the return has no legal standing.
ITR Filing Last Dates for AY 2026–27
| Category | Last Date |
|---|---|
| Individuals, HUF, AOP (no audit) | July 31, 2026 |
| Businesses requiring audit (Sec 44AB) | October 31, 2026 |
| Transfer pricing cases | November 30, 2026 |
| Belated return | December 31, 2026 |
| Updated return (ITR-U) | March 31, 2028 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing wrong ITR form (ITR-1 when you have capital gains)
- Not reconciling Form 26AS with AIS before filing
- Missing income from freelance, interest, or rental
- Not reporting exempt income (LTCG up to ₹1.25 lakh, PPF maturity)
- Forgetting to e-verify within 30 days
- Not claiming all eligible deductions (80C, 80D, 80CCD(1B))
Note: Need help filing your ITR accurately? Indus Tax CAs file ITR starting at ₹999 — includes form selection, data verification, and e-filing. Book a consultation at industax.com.