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Economic Times ranksClearTax as the best tax website in India

No Data entry

No Data entry

Upload your Form-16 PDF. Import your Form 26-AS. ClearTax reads this automatically and fills your tax return.

All tax forms covered

All tax forms covered

ClearTax automatically selects the correct ITR while you fill your info.
We support ITR-1, 2A, 2, 3, 4S, 4, 5 and 6.

Excellent Support

Excellent Support

Find an answer to any tax problems. ClearTax has 1000s of tax guides, videos, experts who answer your queries all day long.

Why ClearTax ?

Claim Deductions

Claim Deductions

If you’ve missed submitting rent receipts or forgot to claim Section 80C deductions at your company, you can claim those deductions on ClearTax and e-file.

Claim Deductions
Save more taxes

Save more taxes

ClearTax gives you all the tax deductions you are eligible for automatically.

Save more taxes
Efile in minutes

Efile in minutes

Our Form 16 upload feature, automatic selection of the correct income tax return form will save you from all the headache figuring out.

Efile in minutes
Efile for your family

Efile for your family

You can file up to three tax returns for free from a single account. E-file income tax returns for your family and have everyone’s record in one place.

Efile for your family
Efile any type of tax return

Efile any type of tax return

Business owner or F&O trader with a loss or just plain salaried? Carry forward loss, prepare a balance sheet or file an ITR-5 for your trust on ClearTax.

Efile any type of tax return
Track income tax refund

Track income tax refund

Getting a refund this year? Check your income tax refund status right here on ClearTax.

Track income tax refund

Income Tax Efiling Process: A Step-By-Step Guide

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Check if you have to file a tax return

For FY 2018-19, if your income exceeds Rs 2.5 lakh (Rs 3 lakh for those aged 60 years and above) you must file an income tax return in India. You must also file a tax return if excess TDS has been deducted and you want to claim a refund.
Paper return or e-filing of income tax? If your income is greater than Rs 5 lakh, or you are seeking a refund, you must file your income tax return online. An exception is made when the individual taxpayer is 80 years or older.

Gather your Documents for Tax filing

The documents needed to e-file your tax return will vary case to case.
Typically, you’d need just a Form 16 and Form 26AS. You’ll need:
– Basic details such as PAN, Aadhaar number, and bank account information
– Documents related to your income such as Form 16 or Form 16A
– Form 26AS which contains information about TDS and advance tax payments

Note that the income tax return is an annexure-less form. This means that no supporting documents need to be sent along with your tax return. But do store them carefully. This will help in case the income tax department has any questions about your tax return.

Sign up or login to www.cleartax.in with just your email account.

ClearTax is simple, easy and free to e-file your Income Tax Return.

Upload your Form 16

Every company in India issues Form 16 for all its employees, typically in the last week of May and first two weeks of June. You may receive them in a PDF or get them as 2 seperate PDFs.
Part A of the Form 16 contains all the details related TDS and the company’s TAN.
Part B contains key information about allowances such HRA, LTA, your taxable salary, and deductions you’ve declared at the time of investment submission.

All you have to do is upload them on ClearTax.com, and it will automatically read your income, deductions, TDS, and pre-fill your income tax return! Upload Form 16.
If you don’t have a Form 16, you can still prepare a tax return with just a payslip.

Claim missed out deductions and check if you have to pay tax.

You can claim HRA, LIC premium and any other Section 80C expense or deduction you’ve missed. Medical reimbursements and LTA cannot be claimed. If you missed the investment submission proof deadline in office, then while e-filing your return on ClearTax, you can claim HRA, LIC premium, and any other Section 80C expense or deduction that you’ve missed to tell your company. This will lower your tax liability. Do note that medical reimbursements and LTA cannot be claimed.
Read: What should you do if you’ve missed submitting investment submission proof deadline?

Pay tax on the Department website if needed.

The tax is calculated as you are filing your tax return. If you find that you need to pay additional tax, you must pay the tax first and then e-file your tax return. Both of these needs to be done before July 31st. If you don’t pay this tax before July 31st, you will be charged an interest amount of 1% per month (simple interest) on the tax amount outstanding. This interest will be calculated from the due date applicable to you for filing of return of the applicable year till the date that you actually file your income tax return.
Read: How to pay tax online on the Department website?

Double check all the details and e-file your income tax return.

The deadline for filing your income tax return is July 31.

A 15-digit acknowledgement number will be displayed on the screen.

After you file your tax return online on ClearTax, you’ll get a confirmation email from both ClearTax and the income tax department with the 15-digit acknowledgement number.

Send ITR-V or e-verify your income tax return.

Once the tax return is e-filed, you can send a 1-page acknowledgement to the income tax department in Bangalore or e-verify your tax return within 120 days from the date of e-filing. This can be done from most Net Banking accounts. Make sure you verify the tax returns, because returns that have not been verified are not processed by the tax department.

Track refund if you’re getting one 🙂

The Income Tax Department is getting faster each year with processing your tax refunds. Taxpayers can expect to get their refund anywhere between just a couple of weeks to a few months.
Track your refund right here on ClearTax.

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Security

Safe, Secure, Accurate

  • ClearTax’s tax calculations are verified against the Income Tax Department’s tax engine before e-filing to ensure that a return is being filed correctly.
  • Our 128-bit SSL encryption and bank-grade security keeps your data safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • My company deducts the TDS. Do I still have to file my tax return?
    Yes, deducting TDS and filing a tax return are two different things. In fact, you file a tax return to show that you’ve paid all the tax you needed to pay. The income tax return is also a very useful document when it comes to applying for a loan or visa.
  • Which income tax return should I select for e-filing?
    Great question! There are nine forms – ITR 1, 2, 2A, 3, 4, 4S, 5, 6 and 7 for each type of tax situation. Honestly, choosing the correct income tax form is a lot of work. Which is why if you are e filing with ClearTax, we automatically decide the correct income tax return form.
  • How do I pay tax to the government?
    You can pay tax to the government directly on the Income Tax Department website using your netbanking account with challan 280.
  • Can I file income tax returns for years I missed?
    Yes, you can file income tax returns for the years you have missed. However, you can file previous year returns manually after contacting your Assessing Officer. For F.Y 2017-18, you can only e-file the income tax returns up to 31 March 2019. No past years’ returns can be e-filed. .
  • What is ITR-V?
    ITR-V is a 1-page document that you receive after e-filing your income tax return. You must print, sign and send it to the Income Tax Department within 120 days from e-filing your tax return.
  • I am a salaried individual and don’t have a Form 16. How can I file my tax return?
    You can still file your tax return on ClearTax without a Form 16. You’re just going to need your payslips. Follow the instructions on this guide to e-file without Form 16.
  • Can I file ITR-1 with exempt agricultural income?
    You can file ITR 1 if the agricultural income is up to Rs 5,000. For agricultural income exceeding Rs 5,000, you have to file ITR 2.To know about ITR 2.Click here.
  • Is it necessary to attach any documents along with the return of income?
    ITR return forms are attachment less forms and, hence, the taxpayer is not required to attach any document (like proof of investment, TDS certificates, etc.) along with the return of income (whether filed manually or filed electronically). However, these documents should be retained by the taxpayer and should be produced before the tax authorities when demanded in situations like assessment, inquiry, etc.
  • If I have paid excess tax, how will it be refunded to me?
    The excess tax paid can be claimed as refund by filing your Income-tax return. It will be refunded to you by crediting it in your bank account through ECS transfer. Don’t make mistakes in mentioning bank details such as account number,IFSC code etc in the ITR form.
  • Is it necessary to file return of income when I don’t have any positive income?
    You must file your return before the due date, if you have sustained loss in the financial year and if you want to carry forward it to the subsequent year for adjustment against subsequent years positive income. Loss can be carried forward only if you have filed the return claiming such loss before the due date.
  • Who can file tax return on ClearTax?
    As per section 139(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 in the country, individuals whose total income during the previous year exceeds the maximum amount not chargeable to tax, should file their income tax returns (ITR).
    a. Individuals who only have Salary income
    b. Individuals who have switched jobs (Multiple Form 16)
    c. Individuals having Income from Capital Gains (mutual funds & stocks), House Property, FD, Interest etc.
    d. Individuals having Foreign Income (Onsite deputation), Foreign Assets, NRI
  • Is it mandatory for me to do the ITR efiling or can someone else do it on my behalf?
    You can seek the help of chartered accountants and agencies dedicated to ITR filing. It is wiser not to allow anyone to have your PAN and password in order to prevent any kind of fraud. Also you can always take assistance from CA to file IT returns. With ClearTax you can get an expert CA to calculate your taxes and e-file your tax return on your behalf. See Prices here