An Income Tax Return (ITR) is the form in which a taxpayer reports income, deductions and tax paid to the Income Tax Department for a financial year. Filing is done online through the department's e-filing portal.
Different situations use different ITR forms. For example, a person with salary income only uses a different form from someone with business income or capital gains. The department's website explains which form applies, and choosing the wrong one can make a return defective.
Documents commonly gathered beforehand include Form 16 from the employer, bank and deposit interest statements, proofs for any deductions claimed, and statements for capital gains if there are any. Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS) on the portal show the tax deducted and the income reported against your PAN, and they are worth checking against your own records before filing.
The steps are broadly the same each year: sign in to the portal, choose the assessment year and form, check the pre-filled details, enter or correct the rest, work out the tax, pay any balance, submit, and then e-verify. A return is generally not treated as filed until it has been verified within the time allowed.
Due dates are set by the department and can change, and late filing can bring fees and interest. Refunds, where due, are processed after the return has been filed and verified.
Dhimson Cover does not prepare or file returns. This page is a plain-language walkthrough. For help with your own return, speak to a qualified tax professional.
Key points
- An ITR reports income, deductions and tax paid for a financial year
- Different ITR forms suit different kinds of income
- Form 16, bank statements, Form 26AS and the AIS are commonly gathered first
- A return is generally not treated as filed until it is e-verified
- Due dates and late fees are set by the Income Tax Department
General information only — not financial, legal or tax advice. Dhimson Cover does not sell, arrange, compare or recommend any product. Rules, terms and conditions differ between providers and change over time, so always read the provider's own documents or the official source.