Find out how to file income tax returns online smoothly

Filing Income Tax Returns online for the first time can appear tricky, but when you are aware of the procedures for filing returns, you can make it a matter of just a few minutes. Form 16 is very important for filing returns as it certifies the deduction of ‘Tax deducted at source’ on the salary by employer.

Find out more about filing your ITR online with Form 16, by reading along. You can use our income tax calculator to calculate your tax liability on your taxable income.

Form 16 for income tax return filing

Form 16 is issued in accordance with provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It comprises details of the amount of tax deducted at source (TDS) on salary by your employer. It also includes your salary breakup of the financial year. Other details that you will find in Form 16 include:

• Assessment year
• Name, address and PAN of the employee
• Name, PAN and TAN, details of the employer/ deductor
  tax deduction details
• Challan No./ Acknowledgement No. of the tax deposited with the government exchequer
• Gross salary, net salary, details of tax deductions, allowances, and tax-saving investment
• Cess levied
• Surcharge amount

Thus, Form 16 contains most of the details that are necessary to file your ITR. However, when reporting income from sources other than salary, you may have to refer to Form 16A and Form 16B.

Additional Read: What is the difference between Form 16, Form 16A and Form 16B?

How to file income tax return online with Form 16?

Before you start to file your income tax returns, it is important to complete some preliminary tasks. If you don’t have an account with the income-tax website already, the first task is to register there. The PAN number is your user ID, while your date of birth is the password.

Additional Read: What is TDS certificate?

Generating Form 26AS is the next task. The Form 26AS can be downloaded from the NSDL-TIN website. It will tell you the TDS details on various incomes (including salary and returns on investments, rent or property sale). Now download the ITR 1 form by logging into the Income tax website if your income from your salary/ pension for the financial year is below Rs. 50 lakh. Download ITR 2 in case your income from salary/ pension for the financial year is above Rs. 50 lakh.

Here’s a set of steps you must follow next:

How to fill Form 16 for IT return online

The ITR Form downloaded needs to be filled with the following details. Refer to your Form 16:

• Employee name, PAN, the complete address, DOB, e-mail ID, and phone number
• Tax deduction details (amount, date etc.), self-assessment advance tax details, if any

Additional Read: why form 16 is required

Filling details regarding income

After filling the ITR Form, you must fill in the income details and provide the validation with the help of the required set of documents.

Tax liability calculation

Once the Income details have been included, the system will automatically calculate the tax liability. If not done, the tax details will have to be inserted manually.

Tax paid and verification tabs

A tab will show the tax paid, to be paid, or to be refunded. You need to fill in the bank details here, and the declaration must be verified.

ITR file submission

The details inserted should be carefully re-checked and then the file should be uploaded by clicking the button below.

Generating the ITR-V

The ITR-V will be generated and sent to the given email ID automatically. The ITR-V is an acknowledgment and verification document.

Return e-Verification

After successful submission of ITR, the link to e-verify the details will appear. You need to check it and save it for future references.

It is essential to prepare and submit your return, even if your employer didn’t deduct any tax or failed to issue a Form 16. If you switched jobs during the year, remind yourself to include income from all your employers, regardless of whether Form 16 was issued. If you’re a self-employed individual, you may not be able to acquire Form 16. In such a scenario, you must submit your ITR and show it as your income proof.

Additional Read:
Various Uses of Form 16
How to apply for PAN Card Online on TIN-NSDL