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Income Tax Compliance

Income Tax Return Filing (ITR Filing) Online

Prepare and file the correct income tax return with a review of income, deductions and tax credits.

Turnaround: 2–5 working days after complete records
Correct ITR form selection for your income sources
AIS, TIS and Form 26AS reconciliation
Old versus new tax regime comparison where available
Review of eligible deductions and tax credits
Professional Fee From
₹1,499/2–5 working days after complete records
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The portal does not charge an ITR filing fee; tax, interest and late fees are separate from the indicative professional fee.

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Written by the LawLine legal & compliance editorial teamReviewed for accuracy against official government sourcesLast updated:

Quick answer

An income tax return (ITR) is a yearly statement of your income, deductions and tax paid, filed on the incometax.gov.in portal. You need PAN, Aadhaar, Form 16 or income proof, and bank details. For most individuals without an audit, the usual due date is 31 July after the financial year ends.

Also searched as: itr filing · how to file itr online · new tax regime vs old tax regime

Overview

What you need to know about Income Tax Return Filing (ITR Filing) Online

Income tax returns report income, tax liability and taxes already paid. For returns governed by the Income-tax Act, 1961, the appropriate form depends on the taxpayer, income sources, residential status and applicable exclusions.

ITR-1 and ITR-4 are simplified forms subject to eligibility conditions; ITR-2 generally covers individuals and HUFs without business income, while ITR-3 covers those with business or professional income. ITR-5, ITR-6 and ITR-7 cover specified entities, companies and persons filing under specified statutory provisions respectively.

The service covers form selection, AIS and Form 26AS reconciliation, a comparison of eligible old and new regime options, and filing support. Assessment-year-specific forms, notified extensions and changes in law must be checked before submission.

Is this for you?

Who needs this and when

You must file an ITR if your total income before deductions is above the basic exemption limit under the regime that applies to you. You must also file if you meet other conditions, such as large cash deposits, high electricity bills, foreign assets or foreign travel, or if TDS or TCS above a set limit applies. Companies and firms must file whatever their profit or loss.

Many people who do not strictly have to file benefit from doing so. A filed return supports loan and visa applications, lets you claim a refund of excess TDS, and allows you to carry forward certain losses. Salaried employees, freelancers, traders, professionals and small business owners use different ITR forms, so choosing the right one is important. The rules and slabs change, so check the current year’s rules.

Benefits

What you get with LawLine

  • Correct ITR form selection for your income sources
  • AIS, TIS and Form 26AS reconciliation
  • Old versus new tax regime comparison where available
  • Review of eligible deductions and tax credits
  • Belated, revised and updated return eligibility assessment
  • Acknowledgement and e-verification guidance

Process

Step-by-step: how it works

  1. 1Assess Filing RequirementsIdentify the assessment year, taxpayer category, income sources and applicable return form.
  2. 2Reconcile RecordsCompare income records with AIS and tax credits, and flag discrepancies for resolution.
  3. 3Review Tax ComputationCompare eligible regimes and share the computation and any tax payable for approval.
  4. 4File and VerifySubmit the approved return and guide you through e-verification within the applicable period.

Documents required

Clear scans or phone photos are enough to get started.

  • PAN, Aadhaar and current contact details
  • Form 16 and salary or pension statements
  • AIS, TIS and Form 26AS for the relevant year
  • Bank statements and interest certificates
  • Capital gains statements and property transaction records
  • Business accounts and audit reports, where applicable
  • Deduction proofs, advance tax challans and previous returns
  • Foreign income and asset details, where applicable

Pricing

Cost breakdown

ItemAmountWhat it means
Government fee for filing the return₹0The e-filing portal does not charge a fee for filing. Late-filing fees and interest may apply.
LawLine salaried ITR filing₹499 onwardsCovers the salary, interest and capital gains where they are simple.
Business or professional ITR₹1,499 onwardsDepends on the books, the number of transactions and the presumptive scheme.
Capital gains or foreign asset reporting₹1,999 onwardsIt is priced by the complexity of the transactions.
Notice reply or revised return₹999 onwardsIt depends on the notice type and the documents needed.

The portal does not charge an ITR filing fee; tax, interest and late fees are separate from the indicative professional fee.

Timeline

How long it takes

  1. Document collection (Form 16, AIS/26AS, bank statements)

    1–2 days

  2. Income and deduction computation

    1 day

  3. Return filing and e-verification

    Same day

  4. Processing by the department

    Usually a few weeks

  5. Refund credit, if one is due

    Often a few weeks after processing

Avoid delays

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Skipping e-verification. A return that is not verified within the time allowed is treated as not filed, so complete verification by Aadhaar OTP or net banking.
  • Not checking the Annual Information Statement (AIS) before filing. Interest, dividends and other income shown there can trigger a notice if you leave them out.
  • Choosing the wrong ITR form, for example using ITR-1 when you have capital gains or business income. A defective return can be rejected.
  • Missing the due date. Late filing can bring a fee under section 234F and interest, and may restrict carrying forward some losses.
  • Entering a bank account that is not pre-validated, which delays the refund. Validate your account and link PAN with Aadhaar before filing.

Next steps

After it’s done: staying compliant

After filing, keep the acknowledgement, the ITR-V and your computation for several years. Watch your registered email and the portal for intimations under section 143(1). If the department’s computation differs from yours, you can reply online or file a rectification request. Track your refund status on the portal.

If you notice a mistake after filing, you can usually file a revised or updated return within the time the law allows. Taxpayers who miss the normal due date may be able to file a belated return, with a fee. Keep proof of your deductions, such as 80C investments, rent receipts and donation receipts, in case of a query.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is the normal ITR due date?

Under the 1961 Act framework, it is generally 31 July following the financial year for non-audit cases and 31 October for specified audit cases. Cases requiring a transfer pricing report generally have a 30 November deadline. CBDT extensions and the relevant assessment-year rules must be checked.

Can I file after the due date?

A belated return is generally possible by 31 December of the relevant assessment year or completion of assessment, whichever is earlier, subject to applicable law and extensions. Interest, late fees and restrictions on carrying forward certain losses may apply.

Can an updated return reduce my tax or claim a refund?

No. An updated return cannot generally create or increase a refund or reduce tax liability. Subject to eligibility restrictions, the Finance Act 2025 extended the window to 48 months from the end of the relevant assessment year, with additional tax increasing according to the delay.

Which tax regime should I choose?

The new regime is the default for eligible taxpayers. The old regime may suit taxpayers with substantial eligible deductions, but the comparison depends on the year and income. Business taxpayers face additional election and switching restrictions, including Form 10-IEA where applicable.

What happens if I file late or leave the return unverified?

Section 234F late fees may apply, generally up to ₹5,000 and capped at ₹1,000 where total income does not exceed ₹5 lakh, along with applicable interest. E-verification is normally required within 30 days; delayed verification can affect the filing date or validity.

Does the starting fee include notices and tax audit?

No. The indicative starting fee is for a straightforward return. Business accounts, tax audit, foreign assets, complex capital gains, revised filings and notice responses require a separate scope and quotation.

Key takeaways

  • Filing is mandatory above the basic exemption limit and in several other specified cases.
  • The portal itself charges no fee for filing an ITR.
  • A return is valid only after you e-verify it.
  • Check AIS and Form 26AS before you file, to avoid mismatches.
  • Late filing can cost a fee and interest, so file by the due date.

Official sources & government portals

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Laws and fees change; confirm with an expert before acting.

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