How to File ITR Online Yourself — Complete Step-by-Step Guide 2026

🔑 Key Takeaways

• ITR filing deadline is 31st July every year for salaried employees
• File ITR online at incometax.gov.in — completely free
• Salaried employees should file ITR-1 (Sahaj form)
• Form 26AS shows all TDS deducted — download before filing
• Filing ITR on time avoids penalty of up to ₹5,000

Can You File ITR Yourself Without a CA?

Absolutely yes. Filing ITR online is completely free on the government's official portal — incometax.gov.in. Millions of Indians file their own ITR every year without paying a Chartered Accountant.

For most salaried employees, filing ITR takes less than 30 minutes once you have all documents ready. This guide walks you through every step.

Why Should You File ITR Even If Tax is Already Deducted?

Many salaried people think — my employer already deducts TDS, so why file ITR? Here is why it is still important:

• Get TDS refund — if excess tax was deducted, you get it back only if you file ITR
• Loan applications — banks ask for 2–3 years of ITR for home loan, car loan, business loan
• Visa applications — many countries require ITR as proof of income
• Carry forward losses — stock market losses can be carried forward only if ITR is filed
• Legal requirement — mandatory if income exceeds ₹2.5 lakh per year

Documents You Need Before Starting

Keep these ready before you begin:

• PAN card
• Aadhaar card (linked to PAN)
• Form 16 — issued by your employer (salary TDS certificate)
• Bank account details (account number, IFSC)
• Form 26AS — download from incometax.gov.in (shows all TDS deducted)
• AIS (Annual Information Statement) — available on the IT portal
• Investment proofs — for 80C, 80D, home loan interest etc.

Which ITR Form Should You Use?

Most salaried employees should use ITR-1. This guide focuses on ITR-1.

Step-by-Step Guide to File ITR-1 Online

Step 1 — Login to the IT Portal

1. Go to incometax.gov.in
2. Click "Login" on the top right
3. Enter your PAN number as User ID
4. Enter your password (if first time, click "Register" and create an account)
5. Complete OTP verification on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number

Step 2 — Start Filing ITR

1. After login, click "e-File" in the top menu
2. Select "Income Tax Returns"
3. Click "File Income Tax Return"
4. Select Assessment Year — for income earned in 2025-26, select AY 2026-27
5. Select "Online" as filing mode
6. Select "Individual" as status
7. Select ITR-1 as the form
8. Click "Proceed with ITR-1"

Step 3 — Validate Pre-filled Data

The portal will pre-fill many details automatically from your Form 26AS, AIS, and employer data. Carefully check:

• Personal details (name, address, date of birth) ✓
• Bank account details ✓
• Salary income from Form 16 ✓
• TDS already deducted ✓

If anything is wrong — correct it manually.

Step 4 — Enter Income Details

Salary Income:
• Enter gross salary as per Form 16 Part B
• Standard deduction of ₹50,000 is automatically applied

Other Income (if any):
• Interest from savings account (check Form 26AS)
• Interest from FD (also in Form 26AS)
• Rental income (if applicable)

Step 5 — Enter Deductions

This is where you reduce your taxable income:

• Section 80C — Enter total amount (max ₹1,50,000) invested in PPF, ELSS, LIC, EPF etc.
• Section 80D — Health insurance premium paid
• Section 24(b) — Home loan interest (if applicable)
• Section 80CCD(1B) — NPS contribution (max ₹50,000)
• Section 80TTA — Savings account interest (max ₹10,000)

Step 6 — Choose Tax Regime

You will be asked to choose between:

• Old Tax Regime — Higher rates but allows all deductions (80C, HRA, home loan etc.)
• New Tax Regime — Lower rates but no deductions allowed

Which to choose? Use old regime if your total deductions exceed ₹3.75 lakh. Otherwise new regime may be better. The portal shows you tax calculation under both — compare and choose.

Step 7 — Verify Tax Payable or Refund

After entering all details, the portal calculates:

• Total tax payable on your income
• Minus TDS already deducted by employer
• If positive → you owe more tax — pay it using Challan 280 before filing
• If negative → you get a refund — it will be credited to your bank account

Step 8 — Submit and Verify ITR

1. Review the complete summary carefully
2. Click "Preview and Submit"
3. Click "Submit"
4. Now verify your ITR — mandatory within 30 days of filing

How to verify (choose one):
• Aadhaar OTP — easiest and instant (recommended)
• Net banking — login through your bank
• Demat account — through your broker
• Physical ITR-V — send signed copy to CPC Bangalore by post (slowest)

After Filing — What Happens Next?

1. You receive an acknowledgement number — save it
2. If you have a refund, it is processed within 15–45 days
3. Refund is credited directly to your bank account
4. You can track refund status at tin.tin.nsdl.com

Important Deadlines

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not checking AIS — always cross-check your AIS before filing. If something is wrong, raise a feedback on the portal
• Wrong bank account — double-check IFSC and account number for refund
• Forgetting interest income — savings account and FD interest must be declared
• Not verifying ITR — filing without verification means ITR is not submitted
• Missing deadline — late filing means penalty and loss of certain deductions

📖 Related Reading

• How to Save Income Tax
• Best Term Insurance Plans

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it mandatory to file ITR? A: If your income exceeds ₹2.5 lakh per year — filing ITR is mandatory. Even below this limit filing is recommended for loan and visa applications.

Q: What is the last date to file ITR? A: For salaried employees the deadline is 31st July. Late filing up to 31st December attracts ₹5,000 penalty.

Q: Which ITR form should salaried person file? A: Salaried employees with income from one employer should file ITR-1 (Sahaj). It is the simplest form.

Q: Can I file ITR myself without CA? A: Yes! Salaried employees can easily file ITR online themselves at incometax.gov.in. It takes 20-30 minutes.

Q: What documents do I need to file ITR? A: You need Form 16 from employer, Form 26AS, bank statements, PAN card and Aadhaar card.

Conclusion

Filing ITR yourself is easy, free, and takes less than 30 minutes for most salaried people. You do not need to pay a CA ₹500–₹2,000 for something the government lets you do for free.

The key is to keep your Form 16, investment proofs, and bank statements ready before you start. File before July 31 every year and avoid last-minute rush.