Income Tax Return (ITR) is a mandatory filing for taxpayers in India to report income, expenses, taxes paid, and tax liability for a financial year. It covers various income sources like salary, business, and capital gains. Filing ITR ensures compliance, allows refunds, carries forward losses, and aids in loan or visa applications.
There are seven types of ITR, namely ITR-1 to ITR-7 depending on the assesee's legal status and income levels and choosing of the right ITR form is crucial.
The due date for submission of ITR for non-tax audit cases is 15th September 2025 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26). Failure to file ITR within the specified due date leads to adverse consequences such as late filing interest, penalties, inability to carry forward losses, etc.,
In this article, we will guide you through the different types of ITR forms, the documents required for filing, and the importance of timely submission to ensure compliance and maximize your financial benefits.
What is ITR?
The Income Tax Return or ITR is a form in which the taxpayers submit information about their income and tax payments to the income tax department.
The ITR form applicable to a taxpayer depends on the type of taxpayer, whether individuals, HUF, company, etc., and you choose the ITR based on the nature and type of income and total income.
Due date for filing ITR
A taxpayer should file an ITR on or before the due date specified. The following table lists due dates for filing ITR to different types of assessees.
Category of Taxpayer
Due Date for Tax Filing - FY 2024-25 *(unless extended)
Individual / HUF/ AOP/ BOI (books of accounts not required to be audited)
15th September 2025
Businesses (Requiring Audit)
31st October 2025
Businesses requiring transfer pricing reports (in case of international/specified domestic transactions)
30th November 2025
While filing your ITR, you should check the form 26AS for details of TDS and other income such as FD interest. You should also have your form 16 to enable filling the details of salary and tax saving deduction claims.
Documents Required to File ITR
Depending on the tax bracket the individual falls under, the list of documents that are needed will differ. Some of the common list of documents that are needed to file ITR are mentioned below:
Pan card
Form 26AS
Form 16A, 16B, 16C
Salary Pay slips
Bank statements
Interest certificates
TDS certificate
Proof of Tax Saving Investments
Types of ITR
The department prescribes seven types of ITR forms based on the type of taxpayer and income:
For resident individuals with income within Rs. 50 lakh from salary, one house property, section 112A capital gains up to Rs. 1.25 lakhs and other sources (excluding business/profession).
For individuals and HUFs not having income from business or profession, but having capital gains, foreign income/assets, or income above Rs. 50 lakh, owning unlisted shares and being director of any company.
For Organizations or Companies other than those claiming exemption under Section 11 (Income from property held for charitable or religious purposes), ITR-6 has to be filed electronically only.
For entities claiming exemption, such as colleges, universities, scientific research institutions, charitable or religious trusts, political parties, and similar organizations and filing under Section 139(4A), 139(4B), 139(4C), 139(4D)
Who to File ITR?
You can e-file your ITR for the FY 2024-25 corresponding to the AY 2025-26. The filing is mandatory for all types of taxpayers except in the following cases.
Taxpayers aged 75 or above and satisfying the following conditions:
Pension and interest income are the only sources of total income. Interest income can be from any account maintained with the same bank in which they receive pension.
ITR can be filed in the income tax portal by logging into the taxpayers account. The following steps are recommended to be followed while filing ITR
Step 1: Login to the Income Tax portal using your PAN as the login ID and password as encrypted. Step 2: On the home page, go to 'e-File' tab > 'Income Tax Returns' > ‘File Income Tax Return’. Step 3: Select the correct Assessment Year. The assessment year for FY 2024-25 is 2025-26. Step 4: Select Filing Status - whether you are individual, HUF, or any other kind of assessee. Mostly for salaried and freelancing taxpayers, 'Individuals may be chosen. Step 5: Select ITR Type, depending on your income level Step 6: Select Reason for filing ITR. You may file because of the taxable income has crossed the exemption limit or on satisfaction of specified conditions. Step 7: Enter your personal details, bank account details, income earned, deductions claimed and taxes paid. Cross verify the summary for accuracy and proceed filing the return. Step 8: On successful completion of e-filing, the last step is e-verification.
Types of Forms for ITR E-filing
Form 16:Form 16 is a salary TDS certificate an employee receives from the employer. Form 16 provides the details of gross salary and exemptions such as HRA and LTA. The form also contains the details of the net taxable salary, any other income/loss reported by the employee, tax saving deductions and salary TDS.
Form 26AS:Form 26AS contains details of tax deducted at source or TDS on various incomes such as salary, interest, and the sale of immovable property. The form also contains details of self-assessment tax, advance tax paid by a taxpayer, and specified financial transactions.
Form 15G and Form 15H: Form 15G and Form 15H enable you to receive income without TDS. You can submit Form 15G in case you are below 60 years of age and where your annual taxable income is below the basic exemption limit. You can submit Form 15H in the case where you are a senior citizen and the tax due on your total income is nil. You need to submit form 15G or form 15H to the person paying you income.
Why Should You File ITR?
It is mandatory for one to file income tax returns in India if he comes under any of the following conditions:
Individuals who fall within the respective tax slabs.
If it's a Company or Firm, irrespective of the profit or loss made in a financial year.
If a tax refund needs to be claimed.
If a loss under a head of income needs to be carried forward.
If one is applying for a loan or a visa.
If being a resident of India, one has an asset or financial interest in any entity located outside India & one is a signing authority in a foreign account.
If an NRI derives any or all of his/her income through sources in India, that income is liable to be taxable in India.
If one receives income derived from property held under a trust for charitable or religious purposes or a political party or a research association, news agency, educational or medical institution, trade union, a not-for-profit university or educational institution, a hospital, infrastructure debt fund, any authority, body or trust.
Should I file an ITR in the case of a loss from business or house property or sale of shares?
Yes, you should file an ITR in case of losses, which may be from business or sale of shares or interest paid on a home loan. An ITR filing helps you to set-off the loss and also carry forward the loss to the future years. Do note that you should file ITR on or before the due date.
What is the late fee for filing ITR after the due date?
The late fee is Rs 5,000 for a return filing after the due date but before 31 December 2025. However, the late filing fee shall not exceed Rs 1,000 if the total income of a taxpayer does not exceed Rs 5 lakh.
How to check the ITR status?
You can check the status of your ITR and about ITR processing status by logging into your account in the income tax portal and go to e-file> income tax returns> view filed returns.
Yes, it is useful to file your tax returns. In case you wish to apply for a loan, the ITR may be considered as a mandatory document that must be submitted.
What is Nil ITR?
You can file a NIL-ITR when your total salary is less than the exemption limit, yet you want to go ahead and file an income tax return. In a case like this, since you do not owe any taxes to the Government, your liability will be NIL, and hence your return will be NIL-ITR.
How many income tax returns are there?
There are 7 types of ITR forms depending on income sources and categories of taxpayers. It is mandatory to file ITR if income exceeds certain limits or under specific conditions.
What are the different types of ITR statuses?
The different types of ITR status are: submitted and pending for e-Verification / Verification, successfully e-Verified / Verified, processed, defective, case transferred to Assessing Officer.
About the Author
CA Mohammed S Chokhawala
Content Writer
I'm a chartered accountant, well-versed in the ins and outs of income tax, GST, and keeping the books balanced. Numbers are my thing, I can sift through financial statements and tax codes with the best of them. But there's another side to me – a side that thrives on words, not figures. Read more
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