One can submit his/her Income Tax Return (ITR) without the assistance of a Chartered Accountant (CA) because of the ease and convenience of filing systems online. With the government’s push for going digital, people can now easily submit their ITR from home quickly and safely. Below is the step-by-step procedure for submitting an ITR on one’s own, without professional assistance.
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Step 1: Collect Necessary Documents with Yourself
Before starting the filing process, collect all essential documents. These typically include:
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Form 16 from your employer (if salaried)
- Bank statements and details of any interest earned
- Details of other income sources such as rent or investments
- TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) certificates
- Investment evidences for deduction under Sections 80C, 80D, etc.
Having all these documents in hand will make the filing process easier.
Step 2: Create an Account or Log In on Income Tax e-Filing Portal
Go to the official Income Tax Department’s e-Filing website (https://www.incometax.gov.in). If you are a new user, register by entering your PAN, name, date of birth, and contact information. Old users can log in directly using their credentials. The website also provides Aadhaar-based login for convenience.
Step 3: Choose the Correct ITR Form
Once logged in, navigate to the ‘e-File’ menu and select ‘Income Tax Return.’ The portal will provide a list of ITR forms. Choose the form that corresponds to your income type:
- ITR-1 (Sahaj) for individuals with salary, pension, and one house property
- ITR-2 for individuals with multiple house properties or capital gains
- ITR-3 for individuals with income from business or profession
- Other forms as may be applicable.
You can also utilise the utility on the portal to determine the appropriate form based on your sources of income.
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Step 4: Fill in the ITR Form
Either fill the form online or download the Excel utility or Java utility provided on the portal.
- For online filling, give your income information according to Form 16, TDS certificates, and other sources of income.
- Give details of deductions under Chapter VI-A like Section 80C, 80D, etc.
- Confirm the bank account details for refund (if any).
- Enter all the compulsorily to be filled fields accurately.
Step 5: Validate and Generate Summary
Once the details are filled, validate every section to ensure that there are no errors or omissions. The utility of the portal will also indicate missing or erroneous data. Rectify such errors if any.
After successful validation, create an XML summary of your return or preview the form online for the final check.
Step 6: Submit the Return and E-Verify
Submit the ITR form online. After successful submission, you have to e-verify your return. You can do this through:
- Aadhaar OTP-based e-verification
- Net banking facility
- Demat account or bank ATM
- Mailing signed physical ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru (not advised as it takes time)
E-verification seals the filing process and ensures your return’s authenticity.
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Step 7: Save Acknowledgement for Future Reference
Once verified, download and save the ITR acknowledgement (ITR-V) for your records. It will act as proof of filing and may be needed for future reference or obtaining a loan.
This self-filing option dispenses with the reliance on intermediaries, reducing costs and granting one more control over their financial documents. With the government’s ongoing push for streamlining the tax filing process, filing ITR on your behalf is becoming more and more hassle-free and easily accessible for all taxpayers.
