How To File Income Tax Return For Pensioners?

According to the IT Act, pensions come under the head “Income from Salaries”. Thus, if a person’s pension income falls above the exemption level, filing the ITR for pensioners is necessary. In this regard, individuals can submit the ITR-1 (Sahaj) form. What’s more, they can file the return both online and offline. Keep reading to know more!

How To File Income Tax Returns For Pensioners In India?

To file ITR for pensioners online, follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-filing official website and log in by typing in your credentials.  

Step 2: Navigate to the “e-File” tab, and from the drop-down menu, select “Income Tax Returns”

Step 3: Click on “File Income Tax Return”
Step 4: Select the Assessment Year and select the online mode of filing and Click on ‘Continue’.

Step 5: Now, if you already have a pre-filled ITR, select “Resume Filing”; otherwise, click on “Start New Filing”. 

Step 6: Choose your applicant status and press “Continue” to proceed with your application. From the drop-down menu on the right side of the screen, select ITR 1 form. (This is the ITR form for pensioners)

Step 7: Once the screen loads, take a look at the list of required documents and select “Let’s Get Started”. 

Step 8: Select all the appropriate checkboxes and click on “Continue”. 

Step 9: Select the tax regime you want to follow, i.e., the old tax regime or the new one. 
Step 10: Review and edit the data in each section and click on ‘Continue’ to move to the next.

Step 11: When you finish entering your income and deduction details in all the sections, click on "Proceed".

Step 12: Now, if you have a tax liability, the screen will display all the details. You can select either “Pay Now” or “Pay Later” based on your preference.

Step 13: On choosing "Pay Now", you have to select a banking services provider and then select "Continue". You will receive a confirmation message after successful payment. 

Step 14: Hereafter, click on “Back To Return Filing” and click on the “Preview Return” button. 

Step 15: Once the “Preview and Submit Your Return” page loads on the screen, click on the declaration checkbox.  Enter information related to the TRP. In case you do not have one, keep it blank. Select “Proceed to Preview” and verify all the information.

Step 16: Click on “Proceed to Validation”. If the system shows any errors in your return, you must go back and correct 
them. 

Step 17: After you check/correct all the information, press “Proceed to Verification”. 

Step 18: The “Complete your Verification” page will load, where you can choose “e-Verify Now”, “e-Verify Later” or “Verify via ITR-V”. It is recommended that you select the first option and press "Continue".

Step 19: The screen will display a message that your ITR filing and verification have been successful. 
In case you want to complete your e-verification later, please remember that ITRs filed after 1st August 2022, will have only 30 days for completing the verification procedure. 

Summary Of Pensioner’s ITR Form

For new pensioners, the pensioner ITR form can get a little complicated. For them, here’s the form at a glance:

• First comes the Personal Information section. Data here will be pre-filled from your e-filing profile. You can edit some details if need be. 
• Then, you will arrive at the Gross Total Income section. Here, information regarding your income from salary/pension will already be present. If you are wondering how to file ITR for family pensioners, you have to select "Family pension" from the other income sources drop-down menu. 
• Hereafter, you will see the “Total Deductions” section, where you need to add and verify all the applicable deductions. 
• Then comes the "Tax Paid" section. There, you need to verify your previous year's tax payments like TDS, TCS, Self-Assessment Tax and more. 
• Next comes “Total tax Liability”, where you can preview your payable tax amount based on the information you filled in earlier.  

Final Word

Now, you have a detailed idea of how to file ITR for pensioners. Please remember, that timely filing your returns is the best way to avoid last-minute rushes and chances of late penalties.