How to File Income Tax Return Online — AY 2026-27 Complete Guide
A step-by-step guide to filing your ITR for AY 2026-27 on the Income Tax e-filing portal, including document checklist, deadlines, and common mistakes to avoid.
Harun Raaj
Chartered Accountant · Harun Raaj & Associates
What Is an Income Tax Return (ITR)?
An Income Tax Return (ITR) is a form filed with the Income Tax Department of India disclosing your total income, deductions claimed, and tax payable or refundable for a given financial year. Filing is governed by Section 139 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
For Assessment Year 2026-27 (FY 2025-26), the due date for individuals not subject to audit is 31 July 2026.
Who Must File an ITR?
Under Section 139(1), you must file if:
- Your gross total income exceeds the basic exemption limit (₹3 lakh under the new regime)
- You are a company or firm, regardless of profit or loss
- You have deposited ₹1 crore or more in current accounts during the year
- Your foreign travel expenditure exceeded ₹2 lakh
CBDT Circular No. 9/2023 expanded the high-value transaction triggers. Verify the latest circulars before concluding you are exempt from filing.
Which ITR Form Do You Need?
Documents You Need
- Form 16 and Form 16A/16B/16C
- Bank account statements for all accounts
- AIS (Annual Information Statement) and Form 26AS
- Capital gains statements from brokers
- Home loan interest certificate (for Section 24 deduction)
- Insurance premium receipts (for Section 80C/80D)
- Rent receipts if claiming HRA exemption
Step-by-Step Filing Process
Step 1 — Log in to the e-Filing Portal
Visit incometax.gov.in and log in using your PAN + Aadhaar OTP or net banking.Step 2 — Download and Review Your AIS
Go to e-File → Income Tax Return → View AIS. Cross-check every entry against your own records. Mismatches between AIS data and your return are a primary trigger for scrutiny notices under Section 143(2).Step 3 — Select the Correct ITR Form and Verify Pre-Filled Data
The portal pre-fills salary, TDS, and interest income from Form 26AS and AIS. Verify every figure — pre-fill errors are your responsibility.Step 4 — Enter Income and Claim Deductions
Report income under all heads (salaries, house property, capital gains, other sources).Under old regime, deduct: Section 80C (up to ₹1.5 lakh), Section 80D (₹25,000–₹50,000), Section 80CCD(1B) (₹50,000 NPS), Section 24(b) (home loan interest).
Step 5 — Pay Self-Assessment Tax and E-Verify
If tax payable exceeds ₹1,000 after TDS, pay Self-Assessment Tax via Challan 280. E-verify within 30 days using Aadhaar OTP or net banking — non-verification renders the return invalid (Rule 12AC).Common Mistakes That Trigger Notices
- Not reporting income disclosed in AIS (FD interest, dividend, property sale)
- Wrong ITR form selected — causes defective return notice under Section 139(9)
- Not disclosing foreign assets (Schedule FA in ITR-2/ITR-3)
- Missing advance tax payments — interest under Sections 234B/234C
Belated and Revised Returns
- Belated return (Section 139(4)): File up to 31 December 2026; late fee ₹5,000 (₹1,000 if income ≤ ₹5 lakh) under Section 234F
- Revised return (Section 139(5)): File up to 31 December 2026 to correct mistakes
Our CA team handles ITR filing end-to-end — Form 16 analysis, AIS reconciliation, regime selection, and e-verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must file an income tax return in India?
Under Section 139(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, any individual whose gross total income before deductions exceeds the basic exemption limit (₹3 lakh under the new regime, ₹2.5 lakh under the old regime for FY 2025-26) must file an ITR. Filing is also mandatory if you want to claim a TDS refund, carry forward losses, or meet other specified conditions.
What is the due date for ITR filing for AY 2026-27?
For individuals and HUFs not subject to audit, the due date is 31 July 2026 under Section 139(1). For those requiring audit under Section 44AB, the due date is 31 October 2026. Companies requiring transfer pricing reports have until 30 November 2026.
What is the penalty for late ITR filing?
Late filing attracts a fee under Section 234F: ₹5,000 if filed after the due date but before 31 December of the assessment year, and ₹1,000 if total income does not exceed ₹5 lakh. Additionally, interest under Section 234A at 1% per month applies on the outstanding tax from the due date until the date of filing.
How do I choose the correct ITR form?
ITR-1 (Sahaj) is for resident individuals with salary, one house property, other sources, and total income up to ₹50 lakh. ITR-2 is for individuals/HUFs with capital gains, foreign income, or multiple properties. ITR-3 is for those with business or professional income. ITR-4 (Sugam) is for presumptive income under Sections 44AD, 44ADA, or 44AE.
Can I file ITR without Form 16?
Yes. Form 16 is a TDS certificate from your employer — it is not a prerequisite for filing. You can file using your salary slips, bank statements, AIS (Annual Information Statement), and Form 26AS to compute income and verify TDS credits. Many taxpayers with multiple income sources file without Form 16.
I'm CA Harun Raaj, Visakhapatnam. If any of this affects you or your business, reach out — I'd be glad to help.
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See Also
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the due date for filing income tax return for assessment year 2026-27?+
For Assessment Year 2026-27 (FY 2025-26), the due date for individuals not subject to audit is 31 July 2026, as specified in Section 139 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Who must file income tax return under Section 139?+
Under Section 139(1), you must file an ITR if: your gross total income exceeds the basic exemption limit (₹3 lakh under the new regime), you are a company or firm regardless of profit or loss, you have deposited ₹1 crore or more in current accounts during the year, or your foreign travel expenditure exceeded ₹2 lakh. CBDT Circular No. 9/2023 expanded high-value transaction triggers.
Which ITR form should I file for salary income with one house property?+
You should file ITR-1 (Sahaj) if you are a resident individual with salary/pension income up to ₹50 lakh and own one house property, as described in the ITR form selection table.
How to verify pre-filled data mismatches in AIS before filing ITR online?+
Go to e-File → Income Tax Return → View AIS on incometax.gov.in and cross-check every entry against your own records. Mismatches between AIS data and your return are a primary trigger for scrutiny notices under Section 143(2), so verification is critical.
What documents are required for filing income tax return online?+
Required documents include Form 16 and Form 16A/16B/16C, bank account statements for all accounts, AIS (Annual Information Statement) and Form 26AS, capital gains statements from brokers, home loan interest certificate (for Section 24 deduction), insurance premium receipts (for Section 80C/80D), and rent receipts if claiming HRA exemption.
What is ITR-4 sugam form used for in online filing?+
ITR-4 (Sugam) is filed by individuals and HUFs who claim presumptive income under Sections 44AD, 44ADA, or 44AE, as listed in the ITR form selection table.
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