IT Returns Filing in India: Everything You Need to Know

Understand what IT returns are, who must file them, key deadlines, documents required, and how SetupFiling.in makes the entire process effortless — online, fast, and 100% compliant.

 
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What Are IT Returns (Income Tax Returns)?

IT Returns (ITR) are official documents filed with the Income Tax Department of India that declare your total income, applicable deductions, and tax liability for a given financial year. Filing your IT return is not just a legal obligation — it is also proof of income for loans, visas, government tenders, and financial credibility.

The term “IT returns” refers to the annual Income Tax Return (ITR) that every eligible taxpayer — individual, HUF, firm, company, LLP, or trust — must file under the Income Tax Act, 1961. The process involves disclosing all income from salary, business, capital gains, house property, and other sources, and paying any outstanding tax or claiming a refund of excess TDS deducted.

At SetupFiling.in, our expert CA-led team simplifies IT return filing for salaried individuals, self-employed professionals, freelancers, and businesses across India.

  • Legal Compliance
    Filing ITR is mandatory if your income exceeds the basic exemption limit — currently ₹3 lakh for individuals below 60 years.
  • Tax Refund
    Excess TDS deducted by your employer or bank can only be claimed back by filing IT returns on time.
  • Loan & Visa Proof
    Banks, embassies, and government agencies require ITR acknowledgements as income proof for loans and visa applications.
  • Carry Forward Losses
    Only timely-filed returns allow you to carry forward capital or business losses to offset future years’ profits.

How to File IT Returns Online in India — Step-by-Step

Filing IT returns online (e-filing) through the Income Tax portal is now the standard process for all taxpayers. Here is the complete step-by-step process:

1. Gather All Required Documents

Collect your Form 16 (from employer), Form 26AS (TDS statement), bank interest certificates, investment proofs under Section 80C/80D, and details of any capital gains or rental income. Visit our documents guide for a complete checklist.

2. Register or Log In on the Income Tax e-Filing Portal

Go to incometax.gov.in and log in using your PAN as the user ID. If you are a new user, complete the one-time registration using your PAN, mobile number, and email ID.

3. Select the Correct Assessment Year & ITR Form

For Financial Year 2024–25, select Assessment Year 2025–26. Choose the appropriate ITR form (ITR-1 to ITR-7) based on your income sources. See our ITR-4 guide if you are a professional or small business owner.

4. Fill In Your Income, Deductions & Tax Details

Enter income from all sources: salary, business, capital gains, house property, and other income. Claim deductions under Chapter VI-A (80C, 80D, 80G, etc.). Pre-filled data from Form 26AS and AIS (Annual Information Statement) can be imported automatically.

5. Compute Tax Liability & Pay Any Remaining Tax

The portal auto-calculates your total tax. If there is a shortfall after TDS credit, pay the balance as Self-Assessment Tax (SAT) using Challan 280 before submitting the return.

6. Review, Submit & e-Verify Your Return

Preview your ITR summary, then click Submit. Complete e-verification within 30 days using Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, or EVC. Only after e-verification is your return considered officially filed. Learn more about Income Tax Return Filing.

7. Download ITR Acknowledgement (ITR-V)

After verification, download your ITR-V acknowledgement from the portal. This serves as official proof of filing and is required for loan applications, visa processing, and other financial purposes.

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IT Return Filing Deadlines (AY 2026-27)

Missing the Income Tax Return due date attracts interest under Section 234A, late fee under Section 234F, and the loss of ability to carry forward certain losses. Know your deadline:

 
Taxpayer Category Applicable Forms Due Date

Individuals, HUFs (non-audit, non-business)

ITR-1, ITR-2

July 31, 2026

Individuals, HUFs (business/professional, non-audit)

ITR-3, ITR-4

August 31, 2026

Businesses requiring tax audit

ITR-3, ITR-5, ITR-6

October 31, 2026

International transactions (transfer pricing)

ITR-3, ITR-5, ITR-6

November 30, 2026

Belated return (with late fee)

All forms

December 31, 2026

Revised return

All forms

March 31, 2027

Updated return (ITR-U)

ITR-U

Within 48 months

⚠️ Late Filing Penalty: A late fee of ₹5,000 is levied under Section 234F if the return is filed after the due date (reduced to ₹1,000 if total income is below ₹5 lakh). Additionally, interest at 1% per month under Section 234A is charged on outstanding tax.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an IT return and why is it important to file it?

An IT return (Income Tax Return) is a form filed with the Income Tax Department declaring your annual income, deductions, and tax liability. Filing it is important because it fulfils your legal obligation under the Income Tax Act, enables you to claim TDS refunds, establishes financial credibility for loans and visa applications, allows carry-forward of losses, and keeps you free from penalties and scrutiny notices

Is it mandatory to file IT returns even if no tax is due?▾

Yes, in several cases filing is mandatory even if no tax is due. If your gross income exceeds the basic exemption limit (₹3 lakh for individuals below 60), you must file even if deductions reduce your net tax to zero. Additionally, if you have foreign assets, high-value transactions (deposits of ₹1 crore+, foreign travel spending of ₹2 lakh+, electricity bills of ₹1 lakh+), or are a company or LLP, filing is mandatory regardless of tax liability.
 

What happens if I don't file my IT return on time?

Missing the IT return deadline attracts multiple consequences: (1) A late filing fee of ₹5,000 under Section 234F (reduced to ₹1,000 if total income is below ₹5 lakh); (2) Interest at 1% per month on outstanding tax under Section 234A; (3) Loss of ability to carry forward capital losses, business losses, or speculative losses to future years; (4) Ineligibility to file a revised return in case of mistakes; and (5) Possible notice from the Income Tax Department for non-compliance.

Which ITR form should a salaried person file?

Most salaried individuals file ITR-1 (Sahaj), which is applicable if your total income is up to ₹50 lakh from salary, one house property, and other sources like bank interest. If you have capital gains (from stocks, mutual funds, or property), income from more than one house property, or foreign income, you must file ITR-2 instead. Our team at setupfiling.in can help you identify the correct form — just WhatsApp us at +91 9818209246.

What is Form 26AS and why is it important for IT returns?

Form 26AS is the tax credit statement that consolidates all TDS deducted from your income by various deductors (employer, bank, tenants), advance tax paid, self-assessment tax paid, and high-value financial transactions. It is available on the income tax portal linked to your PAN. Always reconcile your income and TDS with Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS) before filing your IT return — any mismatch can trigger a defective return notice or scrutiny.

How much does IT return filing cost at SetupFiling.in?

SetupFiling.in offers transparent and affordable pricing for IT return filing — starting at very competitive rates for salaried individuals and scaling based on the complexity of your income (capital gains, business income, foreign income, etc.). Our CA-assisted service ensures accuracy, maximum deductions, and timely filing. To get an exact quote for your specific situation, call us at +91 9818209264 or WhatsApp +91 9818209246

What deductions can I claim while filing IT returns?

Under the Old Tax Regime, a wide range of deductions are available: Section 80C (up to ₹1.5 lakh for LIC, PPF, ELSS, home loan principal, etc.), Section 80D (health insurance premium — up to ₹1 lakh including parents), Section 80G (charitable donations), Section 80E (education loan interest), Section 80TTA (savings account interest up to ₹10,000), Section 24(b) (home loan interest up to ₹2 lakh), HRA exemption, standard deduction of ₹50,000, and more. Under the New Tax Regime, most deductions except NPS employer contribution and standard deduction are not available.
 

How long does it take to receive an IT refund after filing?

Once your IT return is filed and e-verified, the Income Tax Department processes it and issues refunds usually within 7 to 45 working days for simple returns. Complex returns or those selected for scrutiny may take longer. The refund is directly credited to your pre-validated bank account linked to your PAN. You can track the refund status on the income tax portal or through the Refund Banker portal (NSDL). Ensure your bank account is correctly pre-validated before filing to avoid delays.
 

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