[h=1]Who can file returns online ?[/h]Although this scheme is available to any tax payer, filing of returns electronically is mandatory for firms required to furnish the return in Form ITR-5 and to whom provisions of Section 44AB are applicable, or a company required to furnish the return in Form ITR-6. That, however, does not mean that an individual tax payer or HUFs can't file their returns online.
Thus, any individual or organization that files returns using the general method can take advantage of this facility. The pre-requisite for filing online is that one must have a valid PAN number. Direct e-filing, in fact, is available for Form Nos: ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5, ITR-6 & ITR-8.
Step by Step Procedure in short
a) Select appropriate type of return form
b) Fill your return offline and generate an XML file
c) Register and create a user ID/password
d) Login and click on relevant form on left panel and select 'Submit Return'.
e) Browse to select XML file and click on 'Upload' button
f) On successful upload, acknowledgement details would be displayed. Click on 'Print' to generate printout of acknowledgement/ITR-V Form.
g) In case the return is digitally signed, on generation of 'Acknowledgement', the return filing process gets completed. Assessee may take a printout of the acknowledgement for his record.
h) In case the return is not digitally signed, on successful uploading of e-return, the ITR-V Form would be generated which needs to be printed by the tax payers. This is an acknowledgement-cum-verification form. The tax payer has to fill up the verification part and verify the same. A duly verified ITR-V form should be submitted with the local Income Tax Office within 15 days of filing electronically. This completes the return filing process for non-digitally signed returns.
Step 1
Log on to the Income Tax Department's portal (www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in) meant for filing taxes online. This is different website than the one where you can find tax laws, rules, circulars etc., If you dont have an account, Register yourself using your PAN; This will be your user ID.
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Step 2
Under the 'Download' menu, go to e-filing AY 2012-13 < Individual/HUF and select the appropriate Income Tax Return (ITR) form.
You have to choose the right ITR form. There is a table available for you to choose the right form for your situation.
This link shows the table for selecting the right return.
https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/selectforms.do
Step 3
Open the downloaded Return Preparation Software (excel utility), follow the instructions and enter all the details using your Form 16.
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Step 4
Compute tax payable by clicking the 'Calculate Tax' tab. Pay tax and enter the challan details in the tax return (not applicable if your tax liability is nil).
Step 5
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Confirm the details entered by clicking the 'Validate' tab. Proceed to generate an XML file, which will be automatically saved on your computer. The registration process (Step 1) can also be initiated at this stage.
If you need to enter more details in other tabs, you will find Validate tab in each of these sheets and you can click Validate to make sure the data entered in each of the page is without any errors. Please note this software has very limited check. It is better you manually check all data.
Step 6
Go to 'Submit Return' on the portal's left panel and upload the XML file after selecting 'AY 2012-2013' and the relevant form.
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Step 7
You will be asked whether you wish to digitally sign the file. If you have obtained a DS ( digital signature) select 'Yes'. Else, choose 'No'.
Step 8
Once the message regarding successful e-filing is flashed on your screen, the process is complete. The acknowledgement form - ITR-Verification (ITR-V)-will be generated and you can download the same. It will also be mailed to your registered email ID.
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Step 9
Take a print-out of the form ITR-V, sign it in blue ink, and send it by ordinary or speed post to :
Income Tax Department-CPC,
Post Bag No-1, Electronic City Post Office,
Bangalore - 560 100, Karnataka,
within 120 days of uploading your e-return. Couriered documents will not be accepted.
Step 10
The I-T department will send you the acknowledgement by email, which is the final step in the process. If you do not receive it from the income tax department in due course, you can send the form ITR-V again.
Keep a copy of the IT return filed for your record. If you have taken some deduction, exemptions, it is important you collect all the supporting documents and keep a copy of all of them along with IT return. Just in case, if you receive the love letter from the IT department asking you to visit them, you can carry all documents together to support your case.
Happy tax filing...