What is an Income Tax Return?

The Income Tax Act, 1961 makes it mandatory under various scenarios for a taxpayer to file an income tax return. An income tax return is a form filed to report the annual income of a taxpayer. A taxpayer may want to file his income tax return to report his income for a financial year, carry forward losses, claim an income tax refund, claim tax deductions, etc. The Income Tax Department provides the facility for electronic filing (e-filing) of an income tax return.

Choose the right income tax form

The taxpayer has to ascertain the income tax form/ITR Form applicable for filing his income tax return. There are 2 modes available for filing–online and offline. The online mode from the login of the taxpayer is available only for ITR 1 and ITR 4; it is not available for forms of other categories of individual taxpayers. The offline mode (generating XML and uploading) is available for all types of income tax forms.

Which ITR to file?

Form No. : ITR-1 SAHAJ

For individuals being a resident (other than not ordinarily resident) having total income upto Rs.50 lakh, having Income from Salaries, one house property, other sources (Interest etc.), and agricultural income upto Rs.5 thousand.

Form No. : ITR-2

For Individuals and HUFs not having income from profits and gains of business or profession.
For individuals and HUFs having income from profits and gains of business or profession..

Form No. : ITR-3

For individuals and HUFs having income from profits and gains of business or profession.

Form No. : ITR-4 Sugam

For Individuals, HUFs and Firms (other than LLP) being a resident having total income upto Rs.50 lakh and having income from business and profession which is computed under sections 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE.

Form No. : ITR-5

For persons other than- (i) individual, (ii) HUF, (iii) company and (iv) person filing Form ITR-7.

Form No. : ITR-6

For Companies other than companies claiming exemption under section 11.

Form No. : ITR-7

For persons including companies required to furnish return under sections 139(4A) or 139(4B) or 139(4C) or 139(4D) only.

Form No. : ITR-V

Where the data of the Return of Income in Form ITR-1 (SAHAJ), ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4(SUGAM), ITR-5, ITR-7 filed but NOT verified electronically.