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Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) online in India is now genuinely straightforward — the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal handles the entire process digitally, and for most salaried employees, it takes 20–30 minutes once you have your documents ready. This guide walks you through each step.
What you need before you start
- PAN card number — your Permanent Account Number
- Aadhaar card number — must be linked to your PAN (mandatory)
- Form 16 — issued by your employer; shows your total income and TDS deducted. Request this from your HR/payroll team if not received.
- Bank account details — account number and IFSC for refund credit
- Form 26AS / AIS — shows all TDS deducted under your PAN (view at incometax.gov.in → Services → View Form 26AS)
- Investment proof details — amounts invested in 80C instruments (PPF, LIC, ELSS, etc.), 80D (health insurance), home loan interest certificate, HRA details
ITR filing deadline 2025
For most individuals (non-audit cases), the ITR filing deadline is 31 July of the assessment year. For FY 2024–25 (April 2024 to March 2025), the deadline is 31 July 2025. Filing after the deadline incurs a late fee under Section 234F (₹1,000 if income is below ₹5 lakh; ₹5,000 above ₹5 lakh).
Which ITR form should you use?
| ITR form | Who should use it |
|---|---|
| ITR-1 (Sahaj) | Salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh, one house property, and no capital gains — the most common form |
| ITR-2 | Salaried individuals with capital gains, more than one house property, or income above ₹50 lakh |
| ITR-3 | Individuals with business or professional income |
| ITR-4 (Sugam) | Small business owners using presumptive taxation scheme |
Most salaried employees use ITR-1.
Step-by-step: how to file ITR online
- Log in to incometax.gov.in — go to the Income Tax e-filing portal. Log in with your PAN (this is your user ID) and password. If you’re a first-time user, register your PAN first.
- Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return.
- Select Assessment Year — choose the correct year (for FY 2024–25 income, select AY 2025–26).
- Select mode: Online.
- Select your ITR form — most salaried employees select ITR-1. The portal may auto-suggest the right form based on your profile.
- Pre-fill and validate. The portal pre-fills your personal details, income from Form 16, TDS from Form 26AS and AIS. Review each section carefully:
- Personal Information — name, address, Aadhaar, bank account
- Gross Total Income — verify against your Form 16
- Deductions (Chapter VI-A) — enter 80C, 80D, 80CCD(1B) amounts
- Tax Paid — verify TDS amounts match Form 26AS
- Compute tax and preview. The portal calculates your total tax liability and shows whether you owe additional tax or are entitled to a refund.
- Pay additional tax if needed — if you owe tax (after TDS), pay via Challan 280 on the portal before submitting.
- Submit the return.
- Verify the return — mandatory within 30 days of submission. Use Aadhaar OTP (fastest and recommended), net banking or EVC through your bank. Without verification, the return is treated as not filed.
How to verify your ITR
Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → e-Verify Return. The easiest method: Aadhaar OTP — click “Generate Aadhaar OTP,” an OTP arrives on your Aadhaar-linked mobile, enter it and the return is verified instantly. Alternatively, you can send a physical signed ITR-V form to CPC Bangalore by post (less convenient).
How long does an ITR refund take?
After successful filing and verification, refunds are typically processed within 15–45 days if the return is accepted without any notices. The refund is credited directly to your bank account linked to your PAN. Track refund status at incometax.gov.in under “Services → Refund Status.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to file ITR 2025?
31 July 2025 for FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26) for most individuals. Check the Income Tax Department website for any extensions announced after this guide was written.
Do I need to file ITR if my income is below the taxable limit?
You’re not legally required to file if your total income is below the basic exemption limit (₹2.5 lakh under old regime, ₹3 lakh under new regime). However, filing is recommended if you have TDS deducted (to claim a refund), have foreign income/assets, or want proof of income for visa/loan applications.
What happens if I don’t file ITR by the deadline?
You can file a belated return up to 31 December of the assessment year, with a late fee under Section 234F (₹1,000 if income ≤₹5 lakh, ₹5,000 if above). Interest under 234A also applies on any outstanding tax. After 31 December, you cannot file at all unless the IT Department issues a notice.
The bottom line
ITR filing online takes 20–30 minutes once you have Form 16, your Aadhaar and bank details ready. Use the Income Tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in), select ITR-1 if you’re salaried with income under ₹50 lakh, verify the pre-filled data against your Form 16 and Form 26AS, and verify the return via Aadhaar OTP within 30 days of submission. File before 31 July to avoid late fees.