What is E-Filing?

E-filing refers to the process of submitting your Income Tax Return (ITR) through the internet. It is a fast, convenient, and simple way to file your taxes, allowing individuals to complete the process from the comfort of their home or office. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you file your ITR online in 2024.

How to File ITR Online in 2025?

Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Website

To begin, visit the official Income Tax e-filing portal by clicking on the link provided below:

Income Tax e-filing Portal

Step 2: Register or Log In

• Enter your User ID (which is usually your PAN), password, and the captcha code to log in.
• After logging in, navigate to the ‘e-File’ menu and select ‘Income Tax Return’ to initiate the filing process.
• You will be redirected to the Income Tax Return page.

Step 3: Enter the Required Details

Once on the Income Tax Return page, you’ll need to fill in the following details:

• PAN will be auto-filled.
• Assessment Year: Choose the year after the income has been earned. For example, income earned in FY 2021-2022 will have the Assessment Year as 2022-2023.
• ITR Form Number: Select the appropriate ITR form based on your income (e.g., ITR-1 or ITR-4).
• Filing Type: Choose ‘Original/Revised Return’.
• Submission Mode: Select ‘Prepare and Submit Online’.

Step 4: Choose the Mode of Filing

Click on ‘Continue’ to proceed. Then, select ‘Online’ under ‘Mode of Filing’ and click ‘Proceed’.

Step 5: Select Your Status

You will need to select your taxpayer status, such as:

• Individual: A natural person of any age and gender.
• Hindu Undivided Family (HUF): A family comprising individuals descended from a common ancestor.
• Firm/LLP: A partnership or Limited Liability Partnership as per the Indian laws.

Step 6: Choose the Appropriate ITR Form

Next, choose the correct ITR form based on your income and status. For most individual taxpayers, ITR-1 and ITR-4 are common choices for online filing.

Step 7: If You Select ITR-1

If you choose ITR-1, complete the following sections:

1. Personal Information: Enter your basic details like name, PAN, Aadhaar number, contact details, and bank account information.
2. Gross Total Income: Provide income details from various sources such as salary, pension, house property, and other income (e.g., interest or family pension).
3. Total Deductions: Claim eligible deductions under sections such as 80C, 80D, and 80TTA.
4. Tax Paid: Enter taxes already paid, including TDS, TCS, Advance Tax, and Self-Assessment Tax.
5. Total Tax Liability: This section will compute your final tax liability. If positive, the tax is payable; if negative, you’re eligible for a refund.

Step 8: If You Select ITR-4

For ITR-4, complete the following sections:

1. Personal Information
2. Gross Total Income
3. Disclosures: Additional details regarding your income and deductions.
4. Total Deductions
5. Taxes Paid
6. Total Tax Liability

Step 9: Summary of Tax Computation

Once you enter all the details, the portal will display a summary of your tax computation based on the information provided. This will show whether you owe any tax or are eligible for a refund. You can then preview the return before submitting.

Step 10: Proceed to Validation

Click on ‘Proceed to Validation’. If any errors are found, the system will highlight them. Resolve any discrepancies and proceed to the next step.

Step 11: Verification of Income Tax Return

There are a few methods available for verifying your ITR:

1. e-Verify: You can verify your return electronically using one of the following methods:
   • Generate an EVC through your bank’s ATM.
   • Generate an OTP through Aadhaar.
   • Use a pre-validated bank account or Demat account.
2. e-Verify Later: If you prefer, you can choose to e-verify within 120 days of filing.
3. Manual Verification: Alternatively, you can send a signed copy of the ITR-V to the Centralized Processing Center at Income Tax Department, Bengaluru – 560 500 via normal or speed post.

Step 12: Submit the ITR

Once you have successfully verified your ITR (either electronically or manually), click ‘Submit’ to complete the filing process.

Final Step: Acknowledgement

After successfully submitting your ITR, you will receive an Income Tax Return acknowledgement at your registered email address.