Last updated: October 2026
Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) online is easier than most people think. If you are a salaried employee, you can usually do it yourself in under an hour on the official e-filing portal, incometax.gov.in.
Documents to keep ready
- PAN and Aadhaar (they must be linked).
- Form 16 from your employer.
- Bank account details and interest certificates (savings, FD).
- Proofs of deductions if you use the old regime (80C investments, health insurance, home loan interest).
- Your AIS (Annual Information Statement) and Form 26AS, available on the portal.
Step-by-step
- Log in to incometax.gov.in using your PAN as the user ID.
- Check AIS and Form 26AS to confirm that your salary, TDS and interest income are reported correctly.
- Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return.
- Select the correct Assessment Year (the year after the financial year in which you earned the income).
- Choose Online mode and your status (Individual).
- Choose the ITR form. Most salaried people with income from salary, one house property and interest use ITR-1 (Sahaj), subject to its income limit. Use ITR-2 if you have capital gains or more than one house property.
- Choose the tax regime. The new regime is the default. You can opt for the old regime if your deductions make it better for you; compare both before deciding.
- Verify the pre-filled data (salary, TDS, interest) and add any missing income or deductions.
- Check the tax summary. If tax is payable, pay it through the e-Pay Tax option before submitting. If a refund is due, confirm your pre-validated bank account.
- Submit and e-verify immediately using Aadhaar OTP or net banking. A return must be verified within the allowed time (currently 30 days) or it is treated as not filed.
Due date
For most individuals whose accounts are not audited, the due date is usually 31 July after the financial year ends. Check the portal for any extension. Late filing attracts a fee and interest.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not reporting savings account and FD interest.
- Choosing the wrong ITR form.
- Forgetting to e-verify.
- Claiming deductions without proof.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not financial or tax advice. Interest rates and rules change; please confirm current details on the official website before acting.
