How to file ITR Online - Step by Step Guide to Efile Income Tax Return, FY 2022-23 (AY 2023-24)

An Income Tax Return (ITR) is a form that enables a taxpayer to declare his income, expenses, tax deductions, investments, taxes, etc. The Income Tax Act, 1961 makes it mandatory under various scenarios for a taxpayer to file an income tax return. However, there may be various other reasons to file an income tax return even in the absence of income, like carrying forward losses, claiming an income tax refund, claiming tax deductions, etc.

E-filing refers to the process of filing Income Tax Return (ITR) online, using the internet. By utilizing the New income tax portal, individuals can take advantage of a range of features aimed at simplifying the tax filing process. 

The Income Tax Department provides the facility for e-filing of an income tax return. Before discussing the steps involved in the e-filing of ITR, it is essential for a taxpayer to keep the following documents for e-filing their ITR.
- PAN
- From 26AS, AIS
- Bank Statements
- Form 16

However, you can e-file your ITR on Cleartax by just adding your PAN. We will auto-fill most of your details  like salary income, TDS, deduction details, etc from the Income Tax Department. Here's a detail guide on how to e-file your ITR on Cleartax.

Latest Update:

The Income Tax e-filing portal has recently rolled out a 'Pay Later' option, which allows you to complete your tax filing process before making tax payment. You can pay taxes after you are done with your filing. For additional information, please refer to this page.

Step by Step Guide on How to E-file ITR on Income Tax Portal

• Step 1: Login
• Step 2: Go to ‘File Income Tax Return’
• Step 3: Select the right ‘Assessment Year’
• Step 4: Select status
• Step 5: Select ITR type
• Step 6: Choose the reason for filing ITR
• Step 7: Add Bank Account Details and Other Information
• Step 8: e-Verify ITR

Step 1: Login

• Visit the official Income Tax e-filing website and click on 'Login'. 
• Enter your PAN in the User ID section. 
• Click on ‘Continue’. 
• Check the security message in the tick-box.
• Enter you password
• ‘Continue’

Step 2: Go to ‘File Income Tax Return’

• Click on 'e-File' tab > 'Income Tax Returns' > ‘File Income Tax Return’
  

Step 3: Select the right ‘Assessment Year’

Select ‘Assessment Year’ as ‘AY 2023-24’ and mode of filing as ‘Online’

Step 4: Select status

Select your preferred filing status: Individual, HUF, or Others. Opt for 'Individual' and 'Continue'.

Step 5: Select ITR type

Now, select ITR type. The taxpayer must first ascertain which ITR form they must fill out before proceeding to file returns. There are a total of 7 ITR forms available. For example, individuals and HUFs without income from business or profession but with capital gains can use ITR 2. Find out which ITR you should be filing.

Step 6: Choose the reason for filing ITR

In the following step, you will be prompted to specify the reason for filing your returns. Select the appropriate option that is applicable to your situation:

• Taxable income is more than basic exemption limit
• Meets specific criteria and mandatorily required to file ITR
• Others

Step 7: Add Bank Account Details and Other Information

Provide your bank account information. If you have already provided these details, ensure they are pre-validated.
You will then be taken to a new page which will have most of your details pre-filled. Review the information carefully to ensure it is correct. Confirm the summary of your returns and validate the details.

Step 8: e-Verify ITR

The last and crucial step is to verify your return. Failing to verify your return is equivalent to not filing it at all. You have the option to e-verify your return using different methods such as Aadhaar OTP, electronic verification code (EVC), Net Banking, or by sending a physical copy of ITR-V to CPC, Bengaluru

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is income tax return filing  important?

Income tax department has mandated to file the return to individuals only if their income is above basic exemption limit or if they meet certain criteria like expenditure on foreign travel being more than Rs.2 lakh, electricity consumption of Rs.1 lakh or more, deposited an amount/aggregate of an amount above Rs.1 crore in one or more current accounts in FY 2019-20 or onwards.
In the case of a resident whose asset is located outside India or has signing authority for an account-based outside India. It is always a good idea to file your ITR even if you are not eligible due to the benefits.

• Filing of ITR creates a valid proof of income,
• ITR is required for applying for any loan in the future
• ITR is required by banks even for applying credit cards
• ITR is required for VISA applications etc.
• Hence it is advisable to file ITR even if your income is below the basic exemption limit.

What is income tax?

Income tax is a direct tax on your income. It means a portion of your income is paid to the government. The government charges this amount for expenditure related to health, education, providing subsidy to agriculture, infrastructure etc. It is paid by an individual/HUF/any taxpayer depending on income levels or gains in a financial year. A company has to pay income tax irrespective of the level of income. The government passes laws prescribing the rate of taxation on your income from time to time.

How to pay income tax online?

You have to pay your taxes before filing your tax return. If you are a salaried individual, then most of your tax liability is deducted from your salary by your employer in the form of TDS and paid to the government on your behalf. In case you are liable to pay advance tax, then you have to pay 90% of it before the 31st of March every financial year. You can file your ITR once the financial year ends.
The window to file ITR is generally open till the 31st of July of the relevant assessment year. However, the due date to file ITR may get extended, and the IT department will notify the same through notifications. It is always advisable to file your ITR within the due date. It’s worthwhile noting that you attract a late filing fee of Rs.5,000 on failing to file ITR within the due date of the assessment year.

How to save income tax?

There are many ways to save income tax by proper tax planning. Income tax Act provides certain deductions and exemptions that can be claimed which will reduce your total taxable income and reduce tax outflow. Below are some of the most common deductions and exemptions:

• Deduction upto Rs 1.5 lakh under 80C – Investment in tax saving options like 80 C- investing in ELSS , LIC, mutual funds, deduction for tuition fees for children, deduction for principal amount of home loan, etc
• Additional deduction of Rs 50,000 above Rs 1.5 lakh in 80 CCC (1b) for contribution towards National pension schemes of the central government.
• 80D allows deduction of medical insurance premium paid for self, spouse , children (Rs 25000 / 50,000 ) and dependent parents ( rs 25000 / 50,000)
• 80G allows deduction for donation made to recognized institutions and trusts as per specified limits.
• House rent allowance exemption allowed partially or fully under 10 (13A)
• Deduction for higher education loan under 80E
• Deduction for home loan paid under section 24 upto 2 lakhs for self occupied and full amount if rented property

How to get income tax return copy online ?

• Log on to incometaxindiaefiling.com with credentials
• Click on View Returns/ Forms
• Selection an option as “Income tax returns” and relevant assessment year and click on submit
• A window displaying a list of ITR filed will open.
• Click on ITR-V acknowledgement number you want to download
• ITR V PDF file will open which can be downloaded.

How to file an income tax return online?

You can file your ITR return online either through the income tax e-filing portal or through ClearTax. If you wish to file the return through the government portal, then you have to file it using the “offline” mode or the “online” mode.

• In offline mode, you can log on to https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/home and download the excel or java utilities of applicable ITR form from the tab download > ITR return preparation software. A ZIP file will get downloaded. Please extract the ZIP file and fill all the relevant fields in the utility. Remember to validate all the sheets and click on calculate tax. Then, generate and save the XML utility. The excel/Java utility is ready to be uploaded on the portal for efiling. Complete the verification of return amongst six options available and then submit the form.
• To file ITR through offline mode, log on to the e-filing portal using PAN, password and entering the captcha. Go to the “e-file” tab and open the “income tax return” link from the drop-down. Fill the relevant details and select “prepare and submit online” as the submission mode. Fill the details in the ITR form opened online. Click on “save as draft” to save the filled return online. Verify the return using Aadhaar OTP/EVC/or sending a physical copy at CPC. Finally submit the return.

Are you filing the income tax return for any of the following reasons?

• Income more than basic exemption limit
• Deposited more than Rs. 1 crore in 'current' bank account
• Deposited more than Rs. 50 lakh in 'savings' bank account
• Spent more than Rs. 2 lakh on foreign travel
• Electricity expenditure is more than Rs. 1 lakh
• TDS or TCS is more than Rs. 25,000
• Business turnover is more than Rs. 60 lakh
• Professional income is more than Rs. 10 lakh

How to file income tax return after due date?

The due date to file ITR is July 31st. If you miss filing your ITR within the deadline, you can file a belated return. However, late filing fee will be applicable along with interest.

How to file income tax return for previous years?

You can file ITR of previous years using ITR U form. Nevertheless, there are certain restrictions on eligibility and the number of years for which ITR-U can be used. For comprehensive information, refer to this article.

How to check if ITR is filed?

Step 1: Log in to the e-Filing portal with your user ID and password.
If your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar, a pop-up message will indicate its inoperability. Link PAN with Aadhaar by clicking "Link Now" or continue without linking.
Step 2: Go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > View Filed Returns.
Step 3: View all your filed returns on the page. Use "Filter" to sort returns based on criteria like Assessment Year or Filing Type. Click "View Details" and you will be able to see the status of your ITR in the form of return's life cycle along with action items (e.g., pending e-Verification).
Note: If PAN is inoperative, refund issuance will be on hold until linked.

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• What is ITR 2 Form & How to File ITR-2
• How to File ITR-2 for Income from Capital Gains FY 2022-23
• What is ITR 3 Form & How to File ITR-3
• How to File and Download ITR-7 Form
• What is ITR-5 Form, Structure & How to File ITR 5
• ITR 6

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