Filing a tax return in India involves several steps, and there are specific deadlines depending on the type of taxpayer and their sources of income. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the process and deadlines for filing a tax return: Process for Filing a Tax Return: 1. Gather Required Documents: Income Details: Collect documents related to all sources of income, including salary slips, bank statements, interest certificates, rental income details, capital gains statements, and any other income sources. Tax Deducted at Source (TDS): Obtain TDS certificates from your employer, banks, and other sources where TDS has been deducted. Investment Proofs: Gather proofs for deductions under sections like 80C (e.g., insurance premiums, PPF, ELSS), 80D (health insurance premiums), and other applicable deductions. Previous Year’s Return: Have a copy of the last year’s tax return for reference and continuity. 2. Choose the Correct ITR Form: ITR Forms: Select the appropriate Income Tax Return (ITR) form based on your income sources and category: ITR-1 (Sahaj): For salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh and having income from salaries, one house property, and other sources. ITR-2: For individuals and HUFs not having income from business or profession. ITR-3: For individuals and HUFs having income from business or profession. ITR-4 (Sugam): For individuals, HUFs, and firms (other than LLP) having income from a presumptive business under section 44AD, 44AE, or 44AF. ITR-5: For partnerships other than LLPs, Association of Persons (AOPs), Body of Individuals (BOIs), etc. ITR-6: For companies other than those claiming exemption under section 11. ITR-7: For persons including companies required to furnish a return under section 139(4A), 139(4B), 139(4C), or 139(4D). 3. Calculate Taxable Income and Tax Liability: Income Computation: Calculate your total taxable income from all sources. Deductions and Exemptions: Apply eligible deductions and exemptions to arrive at the net taxable income. Tax Calculation: Compute the tax liability based on applicable tax slabs and rates. 4. File the Tax Return: Online Filing: The most common method is to file the return online through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal https://www.incometax.gov.in. Register or log in to your account, fill out the ITR form, and submit it. Offline Filing: For certain categories of taxpayers, offline filing is also allowed. This involves submitting the physical form at the designated Income Tax Office. 5. Verify the Return: E-Verification: After filing the return, verify it electronically using methods like Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or through the e-filing portal. Physical Verification: If e-verification is not possible, you can send a signed copy of the ITR-V (acknowledgment receipt) to the CPC, Bengaluru, within 120 days of filing the return. 6. Keep Records: Document Retention: Maintain copies of the filed return, acknowledgment receipts, and supporting documents for at least six years, as they may be required for future reference or audits. Deadlines for Filing Tax Returns: 1. For Individual Taxpayers (Including Salaried, Self-Employed): Regular Deadline: Typically, the deadline for filing the tax return for the financial year is 31st July of the assessment year. For example, for the financial year 2023-24, the deadline would be 31st July 2024. Extended Deadline: The deadline may be extended by the Income Tax Department, often to 30th September or later, based on circumstances or official notifications. 2. For Taxpayers Requiring Audit (Business, Professionals): Audit Deadline: Taxpayers whose accounts are required to be audited under the Income Tax Act must file their returns by 30th September of the assessment year. For the financial year 2023-24, the deadline would be 30th September 2024. 3. For Companies: Company Tax Returns: Companies must file their tax returns by 30th September of the assessment year. For the financial year 2023-24, the deadline would be 30th September 2024. 4. For Belated or Revised Returns: Belated Return: A belated return can be filed up to 31st December of the assessment year, with a penalty as specified under the Act. Revised Return: If you need to correct errors in your filed return, you can file a revised return before 31st December of the assessment year or before the completion of the assessment, whichever is earlier. Conclusion: Filing a tax return involves collecting necessary documents, choosing the correct form, calculating income and taxes, submitting the return online or offline, and verifying it. Adhering to deadlines ensures compliance with tax laws and avoids penalties or interest on late payments. Always check for any updates or extensions announced by the Income Tax Department.