Sneha just got her first Form 16 from HR. The email said something about "you should file your ITR by July 31". She opened the IT portal, saw 14 menu items, and immediately wanted to ask her dad.
Don't ask your dad. Read this instead — by the end, you'll file in 30 minutes flat.
- Most salaried people file ITR-1 (salary + 1 house + interest). Sneha will use this.
- Deadline: 31 July (for non-audit cases). Late fee: ₹1,000–₹5,000.
- What you need: Form 16, Form 26AS / AIS, bank statements, investment proofs.
- Where: incometax.gov.in — completely free.
So, do you actually have to file?
You must file ITR if any of these is true for you:
👉 Your gross income (before deductions) is more than ₹2.5 lakh (₹3L for seniors, ₹5L for super seniors)
👉 You're claiming a TDS refund (tax was cut but you owe less)
👉 You spent over ₹2 lakh on foreign travel, or have foreign assets
👉 You deposited > ₹1 cr in current accounts or ₹50L in savings during the year
👉 You earned even ₹1 from capital gains (shares, MF, crypto)
Filing creates a record of your income — super useful for loans, visas, credit cards later. And if TDS was deducted, you might be owed a refund. Sneha's company cut ₹38,000 TDS through the year. After her deductions, she'll get most of it back.
Pick the right form (it's easier than it sounds)
There are 7 ITR forms. You'll use exactly one. For 80% of salaried people, that's ITR-1 Sahaj.
ITR-1 Sahaj
For most salaried
Salary + 1 house + interest from FD / savings. Income up to ₹50L. Sneha picks this.
ITR-2
Capital gains added
Above + shares / MF / crypto gains, more than 1 house, foreign assets. No business income.
ITR-3
Business / profession
Real books of accounts — partners, full-time freelancers above presumptive limit.
ITR-4 Sugam
Presumptive scheme
Small businesses (44AD), professionals (44ADA), freight (44AE). Income up to ₹50L.
What Sneha needs in hand before starting
- PAN + Aadhaar (linked)
- Form 16 from each employer
- Form 26AS — download from TRACES (see our guide)
- Annual Information Statement (AIS) — from incometax.gov.in
- Bank statements (all savings + current accounts)
- Investment proofs: PPF, ELSS, LIC premium, health insurance, donation receipts
- Rent receipts (for HRA — old regime only)
The 30-minute filing journey
Here's exactly what Sneha is about to do. You can follow along on your own portal screen.
People submit the ITR and forget to verify. The return then sits as "filed but not verified" — legally invalid. Verify within 30 days of submission or your filing is dead. Sneha set a phone reminder for the same day.
The deadlines you can't dodge
Late fees (Section 234F)
👉 Income > ₹5L: ₹5,000 late fee · 👉 Income ≤ ₹5L: ₹1,000 late fee · 👉 Income below taxable limit: no fee, but you lose the right to carry forward losses.
Filing on time isn't about avoiding the ₹1,000 late fee. It's about keeping the option to claim refunds, carry forward losses, and prove your income for the next 8 years.
Quick answers
Yes, 100% free on incometax.gov.in. Third-party platforms (ClearTax, Tax2win, etc.) charge for convenience features. A CA charges for advice and review.
Usually 1–4 weeks after e-verification. Some refunds clear in 7 days. If 60+ days have passed, raise a grievance on the portal.
File a revised return under Section 139(5) any time before 31 December of the AY. Free, unlimited times.
That's a deductor error. Contact the deductor (employer / bank) to correct. Don't file with wrong data — you'll get notices later.
ITR-3 (or ITR-4 if presumptive 44ADA applies). See our ITR for freelancers guide.
Want a real expert to file your ITR?
Every deduction. Right regime. Refund tracked. Fixed-fee.