How to File Your ITR Online

A walkthrough of filing an income tax return for a salaried individual: documents, choosing the form, regime selection and e-verification.

Filing an income tax return is done online on the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal. For a typical salaried person with income from salary, a bit of interest and maybe some capital gains, it takes under an hour once your documents are ready.

Gather your documents

Form 16 from your employer
Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS from the portal, which show tax deducted and income reported against your PAN
Bank interest certificates
Capital gains statements from your broker or mutual fund registrar
Proofs for deductions you plan to claim, such as 80C and 80D

Pick the right form

ITR-1 suits many salaried individuals with simple income and limited capital gains. If you have more complex capital gains, foreign assets, business income or other special cases, you will usually need ITR-2 or another form. The portal's instructions state who can use which form.

Choose your regime

You select the old or new tax regime while filing. Check which gives lower tax using the income tax calculator and the regime guide.

Steps

Log in to the e-filing portal with your PAN.
Start a new return for the correct assessment year and form.
Check the pre-filled details against your AIS and Form 16, and correct any gaps.
Enter deductions, then review the tax computation.
Pay any balance tax first, then submit.
E-verify within the allowed time, using Aadhaar OTP, net banking or other methods. A return that is not verified is treated as not filed.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not skip income that appears in the AIS. Match capital gains with the right tax rates. File before the due date to avoid late fees and interest, and keep copies of what you submitted.

Due dates and forms change. Check the official portal, or consult a chartered accountant for complex cases.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to file a return if my employer deducted TDS?

Often yes, especially if your income exceeds the basic exemption limit, you want a refund, or you have other reportable income. Check the portal's rules for your case.

What happens if I do not e-verify?

The return is considered invalid until verified, so verify within the permitted time after submission.

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Last reviewed: October 2026. General education, not financial advice.