Filing a salary-based Income Tax Return (ITR) involves reporting salary income, deductions, taxes paid, and other financial details to the Income Tax Department. The online filing process can be completed by following a few standard steps.
Step 1: Gather Required Documents:
Before starting the filing process, keep important documents ready, such as Form 16, salary slips, PAN card, Aadhaar card, bank statements, and proof of investments or deductions. Details related to interest income, home loans, and other sources of income may also be required. Keeping these documents organised can help ensure accurate reporting while filing the return.
Step 2: Choose the Right ITR Form:
Selecting the appropriate ITR form depends on the type and source of income. Salaried individuals with income from salary, one house property, and other basic sources generally use ITR-1. Individuals with capital gains, foreign assets, or multiple properties may need to file a different form, such as ITR-2. Using the correct form helps in proper tax filing and processing.
Step 3: Log in to the Income Tax Portal:
Visit the official Income Tax e-filing portal and log in using registered credentials linked to PAN or Aadhaar. New users are required to complete the registration process before filing. After logging in, select the relevant assessment year and proceed with the online ITR filing option available on the portal.
Step 4: Pre-Fill and Verify Your Details:
The portal may automatically pre-fill details such as personal information, salary income, TDS details, and bank account information based on available records. Review all the details carefully before submission. In case of any mismatch or missing information, manual corrections or additions can be made to ensure accurate filing.
Step 5: Select the Tax Regime:
Taxpayers can choose between the old tax regime and the new tax regime while filing their ITR. The old regime allows various deductions and exemptions, while the new regime offers lower tax rates with limited deductions. The choice of tax regime may depend on an individual’s income structure and eligible deductions.
Step 6: Compute Tax Liability and Pay Dues:
After entering all required details, the portal calculates the tax payable or refund amount based on the information provided. If any outstanding tax amount is shown, payment can be made online through available payment options such as net banking, debit card, or UPI. Tax payment details should then be updated in the return form.
Step 7: Submit an E-Verify ITR:
Once all details are reviewed, the ITR can be submitted online. After submission, the return must be e-verified using options such as Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or bank account verification. E-verification completes the filing process and confirms successful submission of the income tax return.