How do I file my ITR online in India? Step-by-step guide

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) online in India is done through the e-Filing portal at incometax.gov.in. Here's how to do it step by step.

Before you start, gather these documents:

• Form 16 from your employer
• Form 26AS (tax credit statement, available on the portal)
• Annual Information Statement (AIS)
• Bank statements showing interest earned
• Investment proofs for deductions

Step-by-step process:

• Log in to incometax.gov.in with your PAN and password
• Go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return
• Select the Assessment Year (for FY 2025-26 income, choose AY 2026-27)
• Choose the correct ITR form: Most salaried individuals use ITR-1 (Sahaj) if income is under ₹50 lakh from salary, one house property, and other sources. Use ITR-2 if you have capital gains or foreign income
• Select your tax regime (old or new)
• The portal pre-fills much of your data from Form 26AS and AIS. Verify each entry against your Form 16
• Enter deductions if using the old regime (80C, 80D, etc.)
• The system calculates your tax liability. If you owe tax, pay it through the portal before submitting. If you have a refund, verify your bank account is pre-validated
• Verify your return using Aadhaar OTP (fastest), net banking, or by sending a signed ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru

Due dates: July 31 for individuals (non-audit cases). Late filing attracts a penalty of ₹5,000 (₹1,000 if income is under ₹5 lakh).

Pro tip: Always cross-check your AIS on the portal. It shows all financial transactions reported to the tax department. If anything is incorrect, submit feedback before filing.