How To File Your Income Tax Return Online: An Easy Step-By-Step Guide

It's that time of the year again, when you have to break out your saved investment reports and your receipts and make calculations....or send them all lumpsum to your accountant of course. It's ITR filing time!

Nowadays, of course, e-filing your income tax return is quite easy. You just need your Form 16A and Form 16B files, your PAN card details, and you're ready to file your income tax online.

So here's how you can go about filing your Income Tax Returns.

When is the last date to file your income tax returns?

The last date to file your IT returns this year is July 31. The e-filing is simple enough to do online, so don't be late. If you miss the deadline, you could be facing a stiff penalty.

Register on the income tax department website

If you're filing your own income tax return, visit the IT Dept website here. There, you'll find a 'Register yourself' button near the top right. When registering, make sure you enter the correct mobile number and email address, because that's going to be vital for future tax-related communication.

You will also need to keep your PAN number handy while ITR e-filing on the income tax department website.

Get Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

You also need to apply for your DSC on the same website, which is used to verify your identity when filing income tax return. You can download the DSC Utility software from the website in order to generate your own. If you don't have a DSC, you can instead file your ITR online and then send an email to the I-T Department's Centralised Processing Centre (CPC).

How to file income tax return

1. Log in to the IT website using the ID and password you'd registered earlier. Remember, the ID here is your PAN.

2. Once that's done, click on 'e-file' and then the ?ncome Tax Return' option.

3. Then you need to select the type of returns you're filing, the relevant year bracket, and how you're going to submit your Form 16. In this case, that will be the 'prepare and submit online' option.

4. This will then autofill some of your details based on the details you entered into your account, as well as government records. Once that's done, click on 'Continue'.

5. Next, you'll be presented with a form you need to fill. Ensure you read the General Instructions presented first so you don't make any mistakes.

6. We're using this step to remind you to double check everything you've filled in again, no matter how sure you think you are. After that, hit 'Preview and Submit'.

7. You'll be able to preview your entries on the form before a final submission. Again, make sure it's all accurate.

8. Submit once you're done. Then comes the step to verify the IT returns you submitted.

Verifying your income tax return

There are three methods for you to verify your returns. You can do this online through an Electronic Verification Code (EVC), or with an OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked number. Alternatively, you can print out the returns, sign it, and physically mail the document to CPC in Bengaluru within 120 days of the e-filing date.

When you've verified the ITR 2019, you'll immediately receive a notification email. You can also manually download this from your account on the IT website as proof.

After that, it's just a matter of waiting for updates from the income tax department, which you'll receive on your phone number and registered email.