How to File Your Income Tax (Even If You're Not an Expert)
Filing your income tax return doesn’t have to be scary. This beginner-friendly guide shows you exactly what to do, what forms to use, and how to file — without paying anyone.
For many people, income tax filing feels like a big, scary chore.
You open the website, see words like ITR-1, Form 26AS, Section 80C... and close the tab in fear.
But here’s the truth:
Filing your income tax return (ITR) is not that hard.
In fact, you can do it yourself — for free — and avoid the panic later.
Whether you're a salaried employee, freelancer, or even a student earning online, this guide will help you file your ITR in a simple, no-stress way.
📌 Who Needs to File an ITR?
You must file ITR if:
- Your annual income is more than ₹2.5 lakh
- You want to claim a tax refund
- You earn from freelancing, rent, or investments
- You want to apply for a visa, loan, or credit card later
Even if your income is below ₹2.5 lakh — it’s a good idea to file. It builds your financial record.
🧾 Documents You’ll Need
Before you begin, keep these ready:
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank account details (with IFSC)
- Form 16 (if you're salaried – ask your employer)
- Form 26AS (shows TDS deducted – get it from the Income Tax site)
- Proof of any tax-saving investments (LIC, PPF, ELSS, etc.)
- Rent receipts (for HRA claims)
- Capital gains details (if you sold stocks/crypto/property)
🧠 Which ITR Form Should You Use?
| Category | Form |
|---|---|
| Salaried individuals | ITR-1 |
| Freelancer / Self-employed | ITR-4 (or ITR-3 for higher complexity) |
| Capital gains from shares | ITR-2 |
If you're salaried and don’t own a business → ITR-1 is usually enough.
💻 Where and How to File Your ITR
You can file ITR in two main ways:
✅ 1. Income Tax Website (Free DIY)
👉 https://www.incometax.gov.in
Steps:
- Login with your PAN & password
- Choose "e-File → Income Tax Return"
- Select assessment year (e.g., FY 2024–25 = AY 2025–26)
- Choose your form (ITR-1, etc.)
- Enter salary details, deductions, TDS
- Verify the details
- Click “Submit & e-Verify”
💡 Use Aadhaar OTP or net banking to e-verify — it's instant and paperless.
✅ 2. Using Platforms like ClearTax, TaxBuddy, or Groww
These make filing easy (with help and support). Some are free for salaried users.
🧮 Tax Deductions You Can Claim
Save tax using:
- 80C: LIC, PPF, ELSS, tax-saving FD (limit ₹1.5 lakh)
- 80D: Health insurance premiums
- 80E: Education loan interest
- HRA: If you pay rent
- NPS: Up to ₹50,000 extra under 80CCD(1B)
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not checking Form 26AS – match TDS correctly
- Forgetting to verify the return – it’s incomplete without this
- Claiming wrong deductions (e.g., without proof)
- Using the wrong ITR form
- Missing the deadline (usually 31st July)
📅 When Should You File?
Try to file between June and mid-July each year.
Don’t wait till the last day — the site may crash, or you may miss a detail.
💬 Final Thoughts
Filing your ITR is not a test of intelligence. It’s just a yearly habit every earning person should build — like checking your health or renewing your ID.
You can do it yourself, confidently, and for free.
And when in doubt, ask someone — but don’t avoid it. Because your future financial journey depends on it.
📢 Coming Soon:
“Income Tax Filing Checklist for Beginners” – a free step-by-step guide with links and screenshots.
Subscribe to get it when it’s ready!
This post is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.