India eFile - Newbee question

gwldaddu · Post by **gwldaddu** » Wed Jul 20, 2011 11:25 pm

OK.. I am trying to efile my India income taxes online (for the first time). Please help me on this.

Here is what I do...

1. Go to site https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in

2. Login with my PAN/password

3. Go to menu My Account/Update Digital Certificate

4. I see two options

[INDENT]a. "upload your .pfx file" [/INDENT]
[INDENT]b. "upload your usb token".[/INDENT]

5. I have no clue as to what a .pfx file is. So, if I select option b...

I do see that it recognizes who I am and where I am located. It says, my certificate is valid. (I am using my company laptop).

My questions are

1. Should I go with USB option and proceed? Or else, what is a pfx file how do I get it?

2. After I get my certificate, can I file online? What else do I need?

As a side question... Why do I have to deal with pfx etc? Why do I have to deal with XML files? For past 12 years of my tax filing in USA, I did not have to know any of these things. is Indian Tax authority trying to educate me?

r2ihyd2010 · Post by **r2ihyd2010** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:20 am

Here are the steps I followed:

1. Go to site https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in

2. Login with PAN/password

3. Go to 'Select Assessment Year' under 'Submit Return'. This is on left side of the page.

4. On the next screen select the form name and digital certificate option. If you have not applied for it before you would select 'No'. Click 'Next' and on the following screen select the .xml file and submit it. This .xml file is generated from the ITR xls file.

5. After that you will get ITR-V form which you need to print, sign and mail it to Bangalore. You have to mail this form if you do not have digital certificate.

gwldaddu · Post by **gwldaddu** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:54 am

r2ihyd2010;400078Here are the steps I followed:

1. Go to site https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in

2. Login with PAN/password

3. Go to 'Select Assessment Year' under 'Submit Return'. This is on left side of the page.

4. On the next screen select the form name and digital certificate option. If you have not applied for it before you would select 'No'. Click 'Next' and on the following screen select the .xml file and submit it. This .xml file is generated from the ITR xls file.

5. After that you will get ITR-V form which you need to print, sign and mail it to Bangalore. You have to mail this form if you do not have digital certificate.

Thanks for the reply. But then, your reply does not really help me.

My question was "How do I get a digital signature"

You replied "If I do not have a digital signature, I have to print and mail".

I am trying to avoid "print and mail". How do I get a digital signature?

r2ihyd2010 · Post by **r2ihyd2010** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 2:32 am

You can purchase digital signature cert from one of the firms mentioned in the below link.

https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/faq_signature.do

gwldaddu · Post by **gwldaddu** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:54 pm

r2ihyd2010;400078Here are the steps I followed:

1. Go to site https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in

2. Login with PAN/password

3. Go to 'Select Assessment Year' under 'Submit Return'. This is on left side of the page.

4. On the next screen select the form name and digital certificate option. If you have not applied for it before you would select 'No'. Click 'Next' and on the following screen select the .xml file and submit it. This .xml file is generated from the ITR xls file.

5. After that you will get ITR-V form which you need to print, sign and mail it to Bangalore. You have to mail this form if you do not have digital certificate.

Hi,

Getting digital certificate involved mailing documents too. Also, it seems to be available to people with an address in metros only. So, I dropped that idea.

I decided to follow your route. I am done with steps 1-4.

For step 5, do I just send the ITR-V form? Or do I have to send any more documentation? Do I have to send Forms 16A with that?

Also, did you receive your money already? In how many days?

Thanks so much...

r2ihyd2010 · Post by **r2ihyd2010** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:12 pm

Just mail the ITR-V form after signing it. No other documentation is needed.

I have filed for last year in sept 2010 and received refund 07/2011. For year FY 2010 - 2011 I have just submitted last week.

LBRS · Post by **LBRS** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:02 pm

If you want to keep it simple and hazzle free then try using one of the online tax softwares. I just filed using Taxsmile over the weekend and was able to complete the whole process in about two to three hours. It charges around Rs.250 for using the software. At the end of the process it will allow you to file either electronically or send your paper return by post. I chose to send the returns by post. An ITRV will be generated that you need to print, sign and post it to the tax collection center in Bangalore.

gwldaddu · Post by **gwldaddu** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:32 pm

LBRS;400920If you want to keep it simple and hazzle free then try using one of the online tax softwares. I just filed using Taxsmile over the weekend and was able to complete the whole process in about two to three hours. It charges around Rs.250 for using the software. At the end of the process it will allow you to file either electronically or send your paper return by post. I chose to send the returns by post. An ITRV will be generated that you need to print, sign and post it to the tax collection center in Bangalore.

Actually I don't see much difference between using https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in and Taxsmile. The only step that is not needed with taxsmile is that you donot have to generate an XML file and upload it back.

Other than that its all same. You are still applying for a digital signature (if you want to use it). That application involves sending a paper application with your cute picture and some documentation.

[QUOTE]Do I need to submit any documents while applying for a digital signature?

You need to submit the Application Form generated online, after duly affixing your colour photograph, signing across the photograph and at end of the Form. Also attach an attested Proof of Identity and Proof of Address as selected by you while applying online.

gurusw · Post by **gurusw** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:23 pm

Can I e-file after July 31? Is the refund delayed if I do not e-file, and paper-file?

My CA was supposed to e-file for me, and he mysteriously disappeared in last 4 days. How do I check if my return (ITR-1) is already e-filed or not?

r2ihyd2010 · Post by **r2ihyd2010** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 5:15 pm

Yes, you can e-file even after 7/31. If you owe money then there would some penalty but if you are expecting a return then there is no penalty.

You can login to you account on Income Tax website: https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/login.do

and then click on My Account --> My Returns.