ITR filing: Where and how to file income tax returns – CNBC TV18

The assessment year (AY) is the last day to record its beltd or revised income tax return (ITR) for the year 2024-25. While the original time limit was December 31, 2024, the Central Board of Direct Tax (CBDT) announced its expansion for 15 days to give additional time to taxpayers.

Recalling the deadline means that taxpayers lost their last chance to file or modify their returns for Ay 2024-25.

Income tax return, commonly known as ITR, is a fixed form through which taxpayers informed the Income Tax Department to the Income Tax Department with the details of income earned in a given financial year along with the details of income earned in a given financial year Is done. There are various forms of income returns, which are prescribed to file returns based on different conditions and nature of income.

In simple words, an IT refund is obtained by the taxpayer if the total amount paid in taxes is more than the actual amount (either through TDS, TCS, advance tax or self-assessment by tax).

Where and how to enter income tax returns?

According to the official website of the Income Tax Department, taxpayers can enter it in two separate mode – online and offline. Here is a step-by-step guide for both mode.

1. offline mode

Taxpayers can enter their income tax returns completely online or through partial offline mode. To e-file itr through the upload JSON method, users need to download one of the following ITR utilities:

General offline utility (ITR-1 to ITR-4) and ITR 5, 6, and 7 separately.

Excel Utility (ITR -1 to ITR -7).

step 1. Go to the official income tax e-filing portal at https://www.incometax.gov.in/foportal/

step 2. On the homepage, apply ITR Utility Download ‘Download’ option and then click on income tax returns.

step 3. The ITR return file is downloaded in the zip file format. Remove the utility zip file and open the utility from the extracted folders.

step 4. Taxpayers will have to manually fill the income applied and other necessary information applied to the financial year especially. You can also import data in JSON utility instead of manually filling data.

Step 5. Once all the documents are ready, log into the e-filing portal with your user ID and password. You can upload JSON directly with utility and simultaneously e-verify returns or e-verified later.

Step 6. To verify your income tax return, select one of the available options.

Step 7. Once you revise all your details completely, click on the ‘Submit’ button. Now, your form is submitted and a confirmed email will be shared.

2. Online mode

When filing ITR through online mode, taxpayers need to enter the corresponding data online on the e-filing portal and then submit it.

step 1. Open the income tax e-filing portal on https://www.incometax.gov.in/foportal/.

step 2. Log in by providing your user ID and password and click ‘Continue’.

step 3. On the homepage, click on the ‘e-file’ option and then ‘Income Tax Return and File Income Tax Return Link.

step 4. After the ITR page opens, select the ‘evaluation year’ and then select online in the filing mode and then continue.

Step 5. Then, click on the Start Filing Options. If you have already filled ITR and this is pending submission, you can click on the starting filing. However, if you want to discard the saved returns and start preparing the return after, click on the new filing start.

Step 6. Select from ‘individuals/huff/others’ and then select ITR form based on your profile.

Step 7. Once you click on ‘Let’s Gate Start’, you will be asked to select one of the applied options “Are you filing income tax returns for any of the following reasons?”

Step 8. Click on the released option and read the instructions carefully to fill all the applicable and compulsory fields.

Step 9. Once you confirm all the tabs, click “move forward”.

Step 10To check the first check box, select the “Preview Return” and click “Proceed on Preview”.

Step 11. Preview your return and then click on the verification.

Step 12. Once it becomes valid, you have to click “proceed to verification”.

Step 13. On completing your verification page, you have to select your favorite option and then click on continuing.

Step 14. On the e-verified page, choose the option through which you want to e-present and click on continuing.