How To File An Income Tax Return Online Easily in 2021

Online filing of Income Tax Return has become very easy and convenient today, allowing one to do it by themselves instead of relying on a tax practitioner.

Today We will tell you How to file an Income Tax Return or ITR, Step by Step.

Why Should You File an Income Tax Return Regularly?

• You can claim deductions: Under the Income Tax Act, you can claim more than one deduction categorized under various sections. However, these deductions can be claimed under specific sections and due dates each year.

• You can claim refunds: You can claim the refunds deducted in the form of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS). The Income Tax Department of India has stated that those individuals are eligible for refunds whose deducted taxes were much higher than they are eligible to pay.

• Helps adjust your capital gains and losses: Filing an income tax return can be a great way of adjusting your gains and losses incurred by investing in inequities. The Income Tax lets you carry forward the losses for the next 8 consecutive financial years if you file your income tax returns regularly.

• Helps you avail loan or credit card: Opting for a loan such as a working capital loan, banks usually check your financial flow. Regular income tax filing records stand as solid proof of a steady income, and you have been paying your taxes without fail.

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How to File an Income Tax Return

• Step 1: Log in to the official website incometaxindia.gov.in by registering with your credentials. Here your PAN number works as your user ID.
• Step 2: Find the ‘Download’ section and look out for the appropriate Income Tax Return (ITR) form, also known as Form 16. If you are a salaried employee, you can also download ITR-1’s (Sahaj) return preparation software.
• Step 3: Fill in the necessary details in form 16.
• Step 4: Compute and enter all your tax-related details like Tax payable, challan details, etc. Skip this step if you don’t have any tax liability.
• Step 5: An XML file will be generated once you confirm and save your details. On the official website, find the ‘Submit return’ section and upload this filled XML file.
• Step 6: Whenever prompted, you can digitally sign the file.
• Step 7: You will receive a confirmation message flashing on the screen. For verification purposes, download the acknowledgment form-ITR generated right then and mailed to your registered ID.
• Step 8: The final step is called E-verification, which you can do with any of the following modes:
  • Aadhar OTP
  • NetBanking
  • Bank ATM
  • Bank Ac Number
  • Demat Ac Number
  • Registered mobile number and email ID

Download ITR utility from Income Tax Portal

Visit the site www.incometax.gov.in and click on ‘Downloads’ from the top menu bar.

Choose the assessment year and download the offline utility software, i.e. Microsoft Excel or Java, or JSON utility based on your preference. The excel and java utility are discontinued by the income tax department from AY 2020-21

Fill in your details in the Downloaded File

Upon downloading the offline utility, fill in the relevant details of your income, and check the tax payable or the refund receivable as per the calculations of the utility. The details of the income tax challan can be filled in the downloaded form.

Validate the Information Entered

You can see a few buttons on the right-hand side of the downloaded form. Click on the ‘Validate’ button to ensure all the required information is filled.

Convert the file to XML Format

Upon successfully validating, click on the ‘Generate XML’ button on the right-hand side of the file to convert the file into XML file format.

Upload the XML file on the Income Tax Portal

Now, log in to the income tax e-filing portal and click on the ‘e-File’ tab to select the ‘Income Tax Return’ option.

Provide the necessary details such as PAN, assessment year, ITR form number, and the submission mode. Remember to choose the option ‘Upload XML’ from the drop-down corresponding to the field name ‘Submission Mode’.

Now, attach the XML file from your computer and click on the ‘Submit button.

Choose one of the available verification modes—Aadhaar OTP, electronic verification code (EVC), or sending a manually signed copy of ITR-V to CPC, Bengaluru.

Who All Can File for an Income Tax Return?

As per the current laws by the Income Tax Department of India, filing for an income tax return is mandatory for individuals whose total income during the financial year is exceeding the basic exemption limit, depending upon the age bracket.

• For below 60 years of age – Rs. 2,50,000
• Senior citizens (Between 60 and 80 years of age) – Rs. 3,00,000
• Super Citizens (80 years and above) – 5,00,000
• In case if your annual income does not exceed the basic expectation limit, you might be still mandated to file the ITR if:
  • If you have spent an aggregate amount exceeding Rs 2 lakh for travel to a foreign country.
  • If you have deposited an aggregate amount exceeding Rs 1 crore in one or more accounts associated with a bank or co-operative bank.
  • If you have paid a single or aggregate of electricity bills exceeding 1 lakh per financial year.
  • Suppose you are an Indian resident but have bank accounts or income from foreign countries. This applies to any assets owned by you outside India.
  • If your total gross income has exceeded the exemption limit before claiming any tax exemption on capital gains under sections 54, 54B, 54D, 54EC, 54F, 54G, 54GA, or 54GB.

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