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.

How to File Your Income Tax (Even If You're Not an Expert)

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:

  1. Login with your PAN & password
  2. Choose "e-File → Income Tax Return"
  3. Select assessment year (e.g., FY 2024–25 = AY 2025–26)
  4. Choose your form (ITR-1, etc.)
  5. Enter salary details, deductions, TDS
  6. Verify the details
  7. 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.

What to Do if You Missed Filing Your ITR This Year
Missed the ITR deadline? You can still file your return, claim refunds, and avoid penalties. Here’s what to do step-by-step.