Excel utilities for ITR-1 & ITR-4 launched for AY 25-26

The Income Tax Department has released updated Excel utilities for ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-4 (Sugam) for the Assessment Year 2025–26 (Financial Year 2024 –25), incorporating critical compliance and disclosure changes aligned with the Finance Act, 2024.

These utilities, available on incometax.gov.in, are intended for salaried individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and small businesses under the presumptive taxation scheme. The updated Excel-based forms now allow for offline data entry, validation, and JSON file generation for uploading to the portal, even as full online filing access is awaited.

Who can start filing ITR for AY 2025-26?

So far, the tax department has made available only two Excel utilities for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for corresponding income tax return forms.

Who can file ITR-1 for AY 2025-26 :

ITR-1 or Sahaj is meant for resident individuals whose total income includes the following:

* Total income does not exceed Rs 50 lakh

* Income from salary or pension

* Income from one house property (provided there’s no loss carried forward from previous years)

* Income from other sources, excluding: Winnings from lottery, Income from racehorses

* Long-term capital gains up to Rs 1.25 lakh, with no carry-forward or brought-forward capital loss

* Agricultural income up to Rs 5,000

Who cannot file ITR-1 for AY 2025-26:

You cannot use ITR-1 if any of the following apply to you:

* If your total income exceeds Rs 50 lakh

* If you have agricultural income exceeding Rs 5,000

* If you have taxable capital gains (other than exempted LTCG up to Rs 1.25 lakh without loss adjustment)

* If you earn income from business or profession

* If you have income from more than one house property

* You are a Director in a company

* You have invested in unlisted equity shares during the financial year

* You own assets or have financial interest outside India, or hold signing authority in a foreign account

* Your residency status is Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR) or Non-Resident (NRI)

* You have foreign income