How to file income tax returns for the first time

If you are filing the ITR for the first time, you will wonder if filing ITR is a difficult process. The IT department has made ITR filing a highly user friendly process. Here is how to file the ITR yourself easily.

Visit https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/ this is the e-filing website of the IT department.

If you file ITR for the first time, click on ‘New Registration’. Provide the information asked and create your profile. For creating your user ID, you must have an active email ID and mobile number.

Your registered email ID and mobile numbers are important avenues to receive all the communications from the IT department. When you click the activation link sent to you, the registration will be completed. If you need any assistance, you can click on ‘customer care tab’ to get the helpline number and call the customer care section.

Login to the website and give the required details including user ID which is your PAN, password and the captcha. Click on Log-in.

You will see ‘Your Account’ dash board. Click on e-file and select the option ‘Income Tax Return’. Choose the Assessment Year and the ITR form that is relevant to you. The two options to choose from are ITR-1 and ITR-4. Choose submission mode ‘prepare and submit online’ and click on Submit.

You will have to select the option for verifying your returns. The three options are a) Via Aadhaar OTP (this will be valid for 30 minutes), b) the option of EVC generation through My Account or Bank ATM (this is valid for 72 hours) or c) the option of sending signed copy of ITR-V to Centralized Processing Centre, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru -560500. Select the option convenient to you and click on ‘Submit’.

You will be redirected to the page that will ask you to fill in the form that you have selected. Before filling in, read the ‘General Instructions’ for getting to know the dos and don’ts.

Fill in the details in different tabs in the ITR form including General Information, Income Details, Tax Details, Taxes paid and verification and 80G. Ensure that the tax payable displayed in the form matches with the calculations you have made.

Before submitting finally, save the data you have entered and check it once again in order to avoid any mistakes. You can also see a preview of your filled in form before final submission. After you submit, your ITR form will be uploaded and you will have to verify your return through any of the options provided.

It is possible to verify the return through Aadhaar OTP or the Electronic verification method. For verifying through offline method, send a singed printout of the ITR V to CPC, Bengaluru within 120 days from the date of filing the ITR.

Once your ITR is uploaded successfully, you will get an acknowledgement on your registered mobile and email. This acknowledgement will also be displayed in your account on the e-filing website. You can also download it if you want.

Once the department processes your ITR, you will get the information via email and SMS on your registered email ID and mobile numbers.