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How to File ITR Online - Step by Step Guide to E-file Income Tax Return for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)

Q: 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 a 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.

Q: What will happen if I have missed the due date or made a mistake while filing my Income Tax Return?

I missed the deadline: You can file a belated return before 31st December of the AY, i.e. For FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26), the filing date of it would be till 31st Dec 2025. (It is called a belated return, i.e., a late-filed return with the payment of late fees u/s 234F).I made a Mistake: You can revise your already filed ITR before 31st December of the AY, i.e. For FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26), the filing date of it would be till 31st Dec 2025.If you missed the 31st Dec 2025 deadline, file the Updated return (ITR U) within the additional time limit only if the specified conditions are met.

By CA Mohammed S Chokhawala

Updated on: Apr 21st, 2025

5 min read

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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 for a taxpayer to file an income tax return under various scenarios.

E-filing refers to the process of filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) online. By accessing the new income tax portal using PAN-based login credentials, individuals can take advantage of a range of features that simplify the tax filing process.

STEPS TO EFILE ITR

In this article we will understand how to file ITR in 8 simple steps!

Steps on How to E-file ITR on the Income Tax Portal

Step 1: Login

and log in to the by entering your
- PAN (which is the User ID)
- Password
- Captcha code

Step 2: Go To ‘File Income Tax Return’

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

Step 3: Select The Right ‘Assessment Year’

Select ‘Assessment Year’ as ‘AY 2025-26’ if you file for FY 2024-25.
Select the filing type correctly as original return or revised return.

Step 4: Select The Status

Select your applicable filing status: Individual, HUF, or Others.

For filing of persons like you and me, select 'Individual' and 'Continue'.

Step 5: Select ITR Type

The taxpayer must first ascertain which ITR form they must fill out before filing returns.
There are a total of 7 ITR forms available, of which ITR 1 to 4 is applicable for Individuals and HUFs.
For example, individuals and HUFs without income from business or profession but with capital gains can use ITR 2.

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 the basic exemption limit
Meets specific criteria and is mandatorily required to file ITR
Others

Step 7: Validate Pre-filled Information

Most of the personal details, such as your PAN, Aadhaar, Name, Date of birth, contact information, and bank details will be pre-filled. Validate these details carefully before you proceed further.
Also, provide your bank account information. If you have already provided these details, ensure they are pre-validated.
As you proceed step by step, ensure to disclose all relevant income, exemptions, and deduction details.
Most of your information will be pre-filled based on the data provided by your employer, bank, etc. Review the information carefully to ensure it is correct.
Confirm the summary of your returns, validate the details and make the payment of balance taxes, if any.

Step 8: E-Verify ITR

The last and crucial step is to verify your return within the time limit (30 days). 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.

You can calculate your taxes by using ClearTax calculator.

Why is Income Tax Return Filing Important?

The 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, the electricity consumption of Rs.1 lakh or more, deposit an amount/aggregate of an amount above Rs.1 crore in one or more current accounts in FY 2019-20 or onwards.

ITR filing is also mandatory if business receipts exceed Rs.60 lakhs, professional receipts exceed Rs.10 lakhs and TDS and TCS amount exceeds Rs.25,000.

In the case of a resident whose asset is located outside India or who has signing authority for an account-based account 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 or net worth
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.
ITR is required for obtaining Term insurance
ITR is required for obtaining government tenders
Hence it is advisable to file ITR even if your income is below the basic exemption limit.

Documents Required for Filing ITR

The following documents/information are required for e-filing their ITR:

PAN and Aadhaar
Bank Statements
Form 16
Donation receipts
Stock trading statements from the broker platform
Insurance policy paid receipts related to life and health
Bank account information linked to PAN
Aadhaar registered mobile number for e-verifying the return
Interest certificates from banks

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.

How to Get an Income Tax Return Copy Online?

Step 1: Log on to incometaxindiaefiling.com with credentials
Step 2: Click on View Returns/ Forms
Step 3: Selection an option as “Income tax returns” and the relevant assessment year and click on submit
Step 4: A window displaying a list of ITR filed will open.
Step 5: Click on ITR-V acknowledgement number you want to download
Step 6: ITR V PDF file will open which can be downloaded.

Related Articles:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pay income tax online?

Every individual can pay taxes Online or Offline. Please refer to this link for more details.

How are taxes paid to the government?

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.

If you are liable to pay advance tax, then you have to pay 90% of it before the 31st of March every financial year.

How to file an income tax return after the 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 or updated return. However, a late filing fee and interest will be applicable. Penalty in terms of additional taxes is also applicable in case of updated return.

How to file an income tax return for previous years?

You can file the ITR of previous years using updated return (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 a 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.

What will happen if I have missed the due date or made a mistake while filing my Income Tax Return?

I missed the deadline: You can file a belated return before 31st December of the AY, i.e. For FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26), the filing date of it would be till 31st Dec 2025. (It is called a belated return, i.e., a late-filed return with the payment of late fees u/s 234F).

I made a Mistake: You can revise your already filed ITR before 31st December of the AY, i.e. For FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26), the filing date of it would be till 31st Dec 2025.

If you missed the 31st Dec 2025 deadline, file the Updated return (ITR U) within the additional time limit only if the specified conditions are met.

I have filed my return. When will I get a refund?

Usually, it takes 30-90 days to get your refund after filing your Income Tax Return. You can track the refund check status from here.

Is it necessary to attach documents while e-filing ITR?

No, documents are not required to be attached/ uploaded, but you are advised to keep them with you. Income tax authorities may ask them if any assessment notice is served to you in future.

What are the consequences of non e-verifying income tax return?

It is required to either e-verify the return or send it by making the signature physically to CPC, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru within 30 days of filing the return. Failing to do so will result in invalidation of return, which means the return will be considered as having never been filed.

If the return is verified after 30 days, the date of e-verification will be considered as the date of filing, and if such date falls after the due date, then

the late filing fees of Rs.5000/Rs.1000 will be levied.
The tax regime shall be switched to the default regime, and the return will be processed. (For FY 2024-25, if the new tax regime was opted out, then the return will be processed under the new tax regime (default regime) by disallowing the ineligible exemptions and deductions.

About the Author

CA Mohammed S Chokhawala

Content Writer

I'm a chartered accountant, well-versed in the ins and outs of income tax, GST, and keeping the books balanced. Numbers are my thing, I can sift through financial statements and tax codes with the best of them. But there's another side to me – a side that thrives on words, not figures. Read more

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