How to e-file ITR on https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/home?

The due date for e-filing your income tax return is 31st December 2020. It is never a good option to wait till the end date to file your return.

Let us understand how you can e-file your return on the income tax portal. You can choose to file your return in two ways:

1. OFFLINE MODE
2. ONLINE MODE

OFFLINE MODE:

1. Click on https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/home.
2. Download the appropriate excel/java utility through ‘Download>IT Return preparation software’ visible on the right-hand side of the screen. 
3. A ZIP file of the downloaded ITR will be saved. Please ‘extract’ the ZIP file and click to open the utility from the extracted folder. (For more information on this, refer to the ‘Read me’ document downloaded with the ZIP file).

(To Enable Macros in Excel Go to > File > Options > Trust Centre > Trust Centre Settings > Macro Settings > Enable All Macro > Click the ‘OK’ button twice to save these settings)

1. Fill all the mandatory fields required in the excel/java ITR form.
2. Remember to validate all the sheets of the ITR form by clicking on the validate button available on the right side of all sheets.
3. Click on ‘Calculate Tax’ once you are done filling all the information.
4. Generate and save the XML.
5. Login to the e-filing portal and enter PAN, password and the captcha code and click on ‘login’.
6. Click on the ‘e-file’ tab and then click on ‘Income tax return’. 
7. The income tax return page will open with an auto-populated PAN.  
   • Select the relevant ‘Assessment year’.
   • Select the applicable ‘ITR form’.
   • Select ‘Filing Type’ as ‘Original/Revised Return’
   • Select ‘Submission Mode’ as ‘Upload XML’.
8. Select any one of the below options for verification of the income tax return:
   • Select Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) if you have one.
   • Select Aadhaar OTP if you have the Aadhar card linked with PAN and phone number.
   • Select EVC using prevalidated bank account details or prevalidated Demat account details if you have a registered mobile number and email ID with these accounts. 
   • Already generated EVC through ‘My Account Generate EVC Option or Bank ATM’. EVC is valid for 72 hours from the time of generation.
   • “I would like to e-verify later. Please remind me”. 
   • “I don’t want to e-verify this Income Tax Return and would like to send signed ITR-V through normal or speed post to “Centralized Processing Center, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru – 560500”.
9. Attach the utility XML file.
10. Further, if you selected: 
    • DSC verification in step 11- attach the signature file from DSC management utility.
    • Aadhar OTP verification- enter OTP received on mobile registered for Aadhaar.
    •  EVC through bank account/Demat or ATM- enter EVC received in mobile number.
    • E-verify later – Please remember filing of ITR is incomplete without verification. The submitted ITR should be e-verified later by using ‘My Account > e-Verify Return’ option, or the signed ITR-V should be sent to CPC, Bengaluru.
11. Submit the ITR

Also Read: Income tax benefits after availing a housing loan

ONLINE MODE:

1. Log in to www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in using PAN, password and the captcha code.
2. Click on the ‘e-file’ tab and click on the ‘income tax return’ link.
3. The income tax return page will open with an auto-populated PAN.  
   • Select the relevant ‘Assessment year’.
   • Select the applicable ‘ITR form’.
   • Select ‘Filing Type’ as ‘Original/Revised Return’.
   • Select ‘Submission Mode’ as ‘Prepare and submit online’.
4. Read the instructions provided and fill all the relevant fields in the online ITR. Remember to click on ‘save draft’ to avoid loss of data. The saved data will be available for 30 days.
5. Choose an appropriate verification mode from the ‘taxes paid and verification’ tab.
   • On choosing the ‘I would like to e-Verify’ option, e-verification can be done by entering the EVC/OTP for Aadhaar/bank or Demat account.
   • On choosing ‘I would like to e-Verify later’, please do so within 120 days from date of filing. ITR filing is not complete unless you e-verify your return.
   • On choosing ‘I don’t want to e-Verify and would like to send a signed ITR-V through normal or speed post to ‘Centralized Processing Center, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru – 560 500’, please post the same within 120 days from date of filing. The filing gets completed once CPC receives the ITR. 
   • Click on the ‘Preview and Submit’ button and verify all the data entered in the ITR.
   • Submit’ the ITR.

Did you know you can e-file your income tax return in under 7 minutes?

CLICK HERE for a fast, easy and hassle-free filing of return with ClearTax.  

For any clarifications/feedback on the topic, please contact the writer at jyoti.arora@cleartax.in

Jyoti Arora

I am a Chartered Accountant by profession with  4+ years of experience in the finance domain. I consider myself as someone who yearns to explore the world through travelling & Reading. I believe, the knowledge & wisdom that reading gives has helped me shape my perspective towards life, career and relationships. I enjoy meeting new people & learning about their lives & backgrounds. My mantra is to find inspiration from everyday life &  thrive to be better each day.