It is important to know that according to Section 139 of the Income Tax Act of India, 1961, those whose total income in the preceding year surpasses the maximum amount not subject to taxation, are needed to file their respective income tax returns.
Before filing the income tax returns electronically, it is useful to know that there are three types of online filing. They include:
- The use of digital signature certificate by a chartered accountant, as per the norms of ITR.
- In case one should file without the certificate, ITR V form is to be printed and then sent via post to CPC, Bangalore within a period of 120 days from the date of the filing.
- Also, a tax payer may file an income tax return through an E Return Intermediary with or without the digital signature certificate.
Steps to Follow to File Income Tax Return Online
The following steps are to be considered in order to file income tax return online:
- First and foremost, the concerned taxpayer needs to log in to the website IncomeTaxIndiaeFiling.gov.in and then register into the website.
- Secondly, after having registered, it is important to enter the user ID. It must be kept in mind that the Permanent Account Number of the user is the user ID.
- The tax payer needs to view his or her tax credit statement or Form 26AS.
- Click on the relevant income tax return forms and then select the correct financial year.
- After having done that, the user needs to download the relevant ITR form as applicable.
- After having downloaded the relevant ITR form, the user will have to open Excel Utility in order to enter the respective details to fill up Form 16.
- The user will notice the ‘calculate tax’ tab. The tax payable amount can be checked by clicking on the tab.
- If applicable, the user will now have to pay tax and then fill up the respective challan details.
- The user will notice the ‘validate’ tab. The tab is essential in order to confirm once all the data as provided in the worksheet.
- Next, the user needs to create an XML file and then save it on the desktop under a suitable file name.
- The user will notice the option ‘Upload return’ on the portal of the income tax return website. Click on it and upload the XML file saved.
- The immediate pop up will contain the option to ‘digitally sign the file’. Click on the yes button if a digital signature has been obtained, or the no button, if otherwise.
- After having done the needful, the portal will generate the acknowledgement form, the ITR Verification which can be taken by the concerned user or tax payer.
- The user then needs to obtain a printout of the acknowledgement slip and sign it in blue ink compulsorily.
- As mentioned before, after having obtained the printout and signed it, the tax payer needs to send it via post to the following address: Income Tax Department –CPC, Electronic City Post Office, Post Bag No. 1, Bangalore, 560100, Karnataka.
- It must be kept in mind that the post must be delivered within a period of 120 days from the date of the filing of the income tax return.
Things to Remember while Filing Returns Online
There are certain points to keep in mind while filing the income tax returns:
- If in case the same mobile number or email has been used for more than four tax payers, you cannot file a return on the website, unless the change required has been done.
- One of the most important things to keep in mind is that if the name of the tax payer as mentioned in the bank documents is even minutely different from the one given in the PAN card, the portal will end up considering the tax payer as a different individual.
- Therefore, it is of utmost importance to maintain uniformity as far as the sensitive credentials are concerned.
- Equally important to remember is the fact that if a non resident Indian needs to file income tax return, he or she will need both Indian number as well as the foreign number.
The income tax returns have been made a lot easier, especially after the electronic revolution. People can now file returns patiently and from the comfort of their home and with the least error possible. However, it is important to keep in mind that it is generally recommended to file the returns on your own than allow any one else, in order to minimize the chances of fraud. Nevertheless, a tax payer may seek the professional help of chartered accountants or agencies associated with the workings of the ITR filing.