Income Tax Return (ITR) Filing – Complete Guide
Filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) is one of the most important responsibilities for every taxpayer in India. Whether you are a salaried employee, self-employed, freelancer, or a business owner, timely ITR filing ensures compliance with the law and helps you claim refunds, avoid penalties, and maintain a clean financial record.
This guide covers ITR login, how to file ITR online, ITR status check, ITR forms, last date, refund process, verification methods, and FAQs – everything you need to know in one place.
What is ITR? (ITR Full Form & Meaning)
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ITR Full Form: Income Tax Return
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ITR Meaning: A form through which you report your income, deductions, tax liability, and claim refunds to the Income Tax Department.
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ITR in Hindi (ITR Kya Hota Hai?): आयकर रिटर्न (ITR) एक फॉर्म है जिसमें व्यक्ति या व्यवसाय अपनी सालभर की आय और टैक्स विवरण सरकार को देता है।
ITR Filing Last Date (Evergreen Information)
The ITR filing last date is generally 31 July every year for individual taxpayers.
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For businesses and audit cases: 31 October
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For belated returns: 31 December
👉 The government sometimes announces an ITR filing date extension. Always check the official ITR e-filing portal for the latest updates.
How to Login to ITR Portal
To file or check your return, you must log in to the official Income Tax Portal.
Steps for ITR Login:
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Visit www.incometax.gov.in
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Click ITR Login / Income Tax Portal Login
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Enter PAN / Aadhaar / User ID
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Enter Password & Captcha
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Click Login
How to File ITR Online – Step-by-Step
Filing ITR online is simple with the e-filing portal.
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Login to the ITR e-filing portal
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Select ITR Form (ITR 1, ITR 2, ITR 3, ITR 4)
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Enter Income Details – Salary, business, capital gains, house property, etc.
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Upload Form 16 (for salaried persons)
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Claim Deductions – 80C, 80D, etc.
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Check Tax Calculation
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Submit Return
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E-Verify ITR using Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, or Bank Account
Which ITR Form to File?
| ITR Form | Who Should File |
|---|---|
| ITR 1 (Sahaj) | Salaried individuals, pensioners, income up to ₹50 lakh, one house property |
| ITR 2 | Individuals with income > ₹50 lakh, multiple house properties, capital gains |
| ITR 3 | Individuals with business/profession income, partners in firms |
| ITR 4 (Sugam) | Presumptive taxation scheme, business/profession up to ₹2 crore |
👉 For salaried persons – Mostly ITR 1 or ITR 2.
ITR Status Check – How to Track Return
After filing, you must check the ITR return status:
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Login → Dashboard → e-file → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns
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Select relevant year
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Check ITR status
Possible ITR Status:
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Submitted – Not verified
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Verified – Awaiting processing
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Processed – Successfully accepted
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Defective – Error, needs correction
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Refund Issued – Refund credited
Why ITR Refund is Delayed?
Refunds usually come within 20–45 days, but delays may happen due to:
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Wrong bank account details
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ITR not verified
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TDS mismatch
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Return under review
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Technical delays
ITR Verification Methods
After filing, verification is mandatory. Methods include:
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Aadhaar OTP
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Net Banking EVC
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Bank Account EVC
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Demat Account EVC
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Physical ITR-V to CPC, Bengaluru
Important Evergreen Information on ITR
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ITR Password (Acknowledgement/Intimation PDF) = First 4 letters of PAN (in CAPS) + Date of Birth (DDMMYYYY)
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ITR Processing Time: 20–45 days (average)
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ITR Intimation Order: Email/SMS confirmation after processing
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ITR Helpline Number: 1800-103-0025 / 1961
ITR Filing with Form 16 for Salaried Persons
Salaried employees can file ITR easily using Form 16 provided by employers. Simply upload it on the portal, verify, and submit.
Conclusion
ITR filing is a crucial annual task for every taxpayer in India. Filing on time helps avoid penalties, ensures smooth refunds, and maintains financial credibility. Whether you are filing ITR 1, ITR 2, ITR 3, or ITR 4, always ensure correctness, verification, and timely submission.
👉 Bookmark this evergreen ITR guide to stay updated about ITR login, filing process, forms, status, refunds, and last dates.
FAQs on ITR Filing
Q1. Which ITR form should a salaried person file?
Ans. Salaried individuals should generally file ITR 1 or ITR 2, depending on income.
Q2. What is the ITR filing last date every year?
Ans. Usually 31 July, but may be extended.
Q3. How to check ITR refund status?
Ans. Login → Filed Returns → Status → Track refund.
Q4. What if I miss the ITR filing deadline?
Ans. You can file a belated return with a penalty up to ₹5,000.
Q5. Is ITR filing mandatory for everyone?
Ans. If your income exceeds the exemption limit, filing is mandatory.
