What is Income Tax return (ITR)?
An income tax return (ITR) is the form that an individual or company files to the Income Tax Department as proof of its income, expenses, and other tax information in that financial year. The ITR filed contains the proof of your income and amount paid as tax in that financial year. While filing the income tax return (ITR), an assessee must ensure to enclose the proof of every source of income earned in that financial year including the exempted income thereon to Income Tax Department.
Know well about ITR forms
Who can file Income Tax Returns?
Individuals, HUFs, AOPs, BOIs, firms and companies are mandated to file the income tax return (ITR) if the income earned is taxable. Each of these taxpayers is taxed differently under the Income Tax laws of India wherein the domestic companies and firm have fixed a 22 per cent tax rate but the individuals are taxed as per the tax slabs.
Advantages of filing income tax returns (ITRS)
It has often seen that many individuals believe that if their salaries fall below the taxable bracket then they don’t need to file an income tax return (ITR). However, that is not true! Even if your earned income is not taxable, you should file ITR as it will benefit you in different ways.
Listed out the following advantages of filing income tax returns:
Compensate for Losses in the next Financial Year:
Hassle-free Visa Processing:
Filing ITR timely can help you avoid penalties imposed by the Income Tax Department for belated return that could cost you extra interest.
In India, ITR is one of the important documents asked by banks in sanctioning a loan to an individual. Many banks and NBFCs ask for ITR receipts of the latest 3 years when applying for the loan such as home loan, car loan etc. Such lenders consider ITR as the most authentic document of verifying an individual’s income. Hence, an individual who is filing ITR on time can benefit from hassle-free loan approval.
Income Tax Return (ITR) receipts can serve as a residential proof as it is sent directly to your registered address.
If you are eligible to file ITR but didn’t then you would not be able to carry forward the losses of the current financial year to the next financial year. Hence, it is vital to file the ITR to claim the losses in the future years.
At the time of applying for Visa, the embassies generally ask for past ITR receipts to process the Visa application of an individual. So, filing ITR before the due date can help you in quick Visa processing at the time of Visa application.
Things to remember before filing an Income Tax Return
Income tax return filing is very important and if you have not filed your return yet, it’s a good idea to get going and try to do it as early as possible. Tax filing involves a lot of paperwork, confusion and queries. To ensure a seamless process, give yourself enough lead-time for a smooth and timely return filing. Unfortunately, there are penalties to be paid, if the deadlines are missed. These fines range between Rs. 5,000 to 10,000, depending on the delay.
You can get help from professionals to file your tax return who can advise you on how to save tax, the available deductions and exemptions under 80C and assist you with investment planning. But, if you are planning to file returns yourself, here are a few important things you could keep in mind.
First of all, make sure to collect all the required documents that you will need to file your ITR Form such as Form 16, Form 26AS, investment documents, premium payments, loan statements, salary slips, bank statements, and proof of capital gains (if any) that will help you in providing the details of tax deducted at source (TDS) and to compute the gross taxable income of yours in that financial year.
Similar to this, if you have redeemed mutual fund units within that year, you can reach out to your mutual fund house to provide you with the transaction statements and capital gain statements. Remember, if the gains exceed Rs. 1 lakh, you will be required to pay tax on LTCG. Once you finished computing your total income, the next thing is to calculate your tax liability by applying the tax rates as per your income slab.
Important Things To Remember While Filing Income Tax Returns
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has made few amendments in the ITR forms to ease the process of filing Income Tax returns. The number of forms to be used by taxpayers has been reduced from 9 to 7. For individuals with annual taxable income (from salary, interest, one house property) of up to Rs. 50 lakh, ITR 1 is required to be filed. Whereas, for individuals with annual taxable income of more than Rs. 50 lakh, ITR 2 is required to be filed.
Following up on the Central Government's efforts on demonetisation, the Income Tax department has made it mandatory to disclose cash deposits of Rs. 2 lakh and more in bank accounts. This was first initiated during the demonetisation period and continues to this day. The Income Tax department requires a declaration in a separate column giving details of money deposited along with bank details in the income tax returns. To prevent being taxed at 60% plus surcharge and cess, tax payers need to explain all sources or forms of income or investment.
Carefully Select the Assessment Year and Financial Year
Assessment Year and Financial Year are not the same and you need to be familiar with them in order to correctly file your taxes. Financial Year is the period or year within which you earn the income, whereas Assessment Year is the period or year that follows Financial Year and it is in this year that you file your tax return. Every Financial Year and Assessment Year begins on the 1st of April and ends on 31st of March. Assessment Year always comes after Financial Year.
Since your income is taxed in the Assessment Year, you have to select Assessment Year while filing your income tax return.
Check For Deductions Under 80C
Section 80C entitles you to certain deductions from the gross total income, up to a maximum limit of Rs. 1.5 lakh. It is the most widely used option to save income tax. The investments and expenditures that qualify for deduction under section 80C are investments in National Savings Certificates (NSC), Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP), notified Equity Linked Saving Scheme (ELSS) of a mutual fund, five-year post office term deposits, five-year bank fixed deposits, contribution to Employee Provident Fund (EPF), Public Provident Fund (PPF), Superannuation Funds and premiums paid for life insurance, annuity plan and Unit-Linked Insurance Plans (ULIP), etc.
These investments can not only be claimed as deduction while calculating your total taxable income but can also generate good returns. Moreover, investment in PPF, superannuation funds, etc. also help in accumulating funds for retirement planning.
Form 26A is an important document for tax filing. It provides details of the income paid to you, the tax deducted on that income and the amount of TDS deposited by the payer with the Government. The form also contains details of any refund applicable to you. To check your tax deduction on Form 26A, you have to go to https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in and login to your account. Next, you have to go to ‘My Account’ and click on ‘View Form 26AS’ in the drop down.
While filing your income tax return, ensure that you know the relevant ITR forms well, make the necessary disclosures, select appropriate assessment year, take advantage of 80C deductions and verify your TDS from Form 26A. This will ensure a smooth and hassle-free tax filing process.
For reference: http://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/main/ListOfITRsAndOtherForms