Last Updated: June 2026 | By SetupFiling.in Experts
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Income tax e-filing means submitting your Income Tax Return (ITR) online through the Income Tax Department’s official portal (incometax.gov.in). Instead of visiting a tax office and filling paper forms, you do everything digitally — from entering your income details to uploading documents and getting your refund.
The Government of India made e-filing mandatory for most taxpayers years ago, and today it is the fastest, safest, and most convenient way to stay compliant with your tax obligations.
This is one of the most searched questions around tax season. Here is the simple answer:
You must file an ITR if:
Even if your income is below the taxable limit, filing a return is strongly recommended. It helps you get loans, apply for visas, and build a clean financial record.
Missing the deadline attracts a late filing fee under Section 234F. Here are the key dates:
| Category of Taxpayer | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Individuals, HUF, AOP (no audit required) | 31st July 2026 |
| 2. Businesses requiring tax audit | 31st October 2026 |
| 3. Companies | 31st October 2026 |
| 4. Transfer Pricing cases | 30th November 2026 |
Filing after the due date? You can still file a belated return up to 31st December 2026, but you will pay a late fee of up to ₹5,000 (₹1,000 if income is below ₹5 lakh).
Choosing the wrong form is a common mistake. Here is a quick guide:
ITR-1 (Sahaj): For salaried individuals, pensioners, and those with income from one house property and interest income. Total income must be below ₹50 lakh.
ITR-2: For individuals and HUFs with capital gains, foreign income, or more than one house property.
ITR-3: For professionals, freelancers, and partners in a firm with business or professional income.
ITR-4 (Sugam): For individuals, HUFs, and firms opting for the presumptive taxation scheme (Section 44AD/44ADA/44AE).
ITR-5: For LLPs, partnership firms, AOPs, and BOIs.
ITR-6: For companies other than those claiming exemption under Section 11.
ITR-7: For trusts, NGOs, political parties, and research institutions.
If you run a sole proprietorship business in India, you file under ITR-3 or ITR-4 using your PAN. If you have registered as a Pvt Ltd company in India, you file ITR-6.
Keep these documents ready before you start:
Go to incometax.gov.in and log in with your PAN. If you are a new user, register first using your PAN, Aadhaar, and mobile number.
Choose AY 2026-27 (for income earned from April 2025 to March 2026).
Select “Online” mode for simple returns. For complex returns involving business income or capital gains, use offline mode by downloading the utility.
Based on your income sources (see the table above), pick the right form.
The portal automatically pre-fills data from your Form 26AS, AIS (Annual Information Statement), and TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary). Cross-check all figures carefully.
Fill in income from salary, house property, business/profession, capital gains, and other sources.
Enter deductions under Chapter VI-A — Section 80C (investments up to ₹1.5 lakh), 80D (health insurance), 80G (donations), and so on.
If any tax is due after TDS credits, pay it online using Challan 280 before submitting the return.
Submit your return. Then verify it within 30 days using:
Verification is mandatory. An unverified return is considered not filed.
Salaried employees, freelancers, and self-employed professionals all need to file based on their income. We offer expert-assisted income tax return filing for salaried and self-employed individuals at affordable fees.
A sole proprietor files under their personal PAN. The business income is included in the personal return. Get help with ITR filing for proprietorship businesses with all deductions to ensure all business expenses are correctly claimed.
Companies must file ITR-6 and LLPs file ITR-5. Both need a tax audit if turnover crosses ₹1 crore (businesses) or ₹50 lakh (professionals). Companies also need to complete their annual ROC compliance for private limited companies alongside ITR filing.
Registered NGOs with 12A tax exemption registration for NGOs and 80G donation tax deduction registration enjoy income tax exemptions, but they must still file their return using ITR-7. We provide specialised income tax return filing for trusts and non-profit organisations.
A tax audit under Section 44AB is required when:
Our qualified Chartered Accountants handle Section 44AB income tax audit for businesses and professionals efficiently, ensuring full compliance without last-minute stress.
At setupfiling.in, our team of experienced Chartered Accountants ensures your Income Tax Return is filed accurately, on time, and with maximum legitimate tax savings. We have helped 50,000+ entrepreneurs and individuals across India navigate tax filings without stress.
Our Income Tax Services:
Do not wait for the last minute. Our experts at SetupFiling.in are ready to assist you with hassle-free income tax e-filing.
For individuals and salaried employees, the due date is 31st July 2026. For businesses requiring a tax audit, it is 31st October 2026.
Yes. You can file using your salary slips, bank statements, and Form 26AS. Form 16 is helpful but not mandatory.
You may receive a notice from the Income Tax Department. A penalty of up to ₹5,000 applies for late filing, along with interest on unpaid tax. In serious cases, prosecution may be initiated.
Yes. Aadhaar-PAN linking is mandatory. An unlinked PAN becomes
Yes. A revised return can be filed before 31st December of the assessment year if you discover any mistakes in the original return.
The Financial Year (FY) is when you earn the income (April to March). The Assessment Year (AY) is the year following FY when you file the return and pay tax. For example, income earned in FY 2025-26 is assessed in AY 2026-27.
Simple salaried returns can be filed without a CA. However, if you have business income, capital gains, foreign income, or require a tax audit, professional help ensures accuracy and avoids costly notices.