How to file your itreturn Online Without Hiring a Chartered Accountant

Filing your itreturn online has become much easier than it was a few years ago. With the Income Tax Department’s improved portal, auto-filled details, and digital verification options, many taxpayers can now complete the process themselves without hiring a Chartered Accountant. Whether you are a salaried employee, freelancer, small business owner, or consultant, understanding how to file your itreturn correctly can help you save both time and money.

At GST Wale, we regularly guide individuals who want to handle basic tax compliance independently before seeking professional support for complex cases. If you are planning to complete your ITR Filing online, this guide will help you understand the entire process in a practical and simple way.

The key is to stay organised, use the right documents, and understand how to compute total income accurately before submission.

Why Filing Your itreturn Yourself Is Easier Today

Earlier, taxpayers depended heavily on tax professionals because income tax filing involved manual calculations and paperwork. Today, the government portal provides several automated features that simplify the process.

Some useful improvements include:

• Auto populated data from Form 16, banks, and employers
• AIS annual information statement for cross-checking transactions
• Built-in online tax calculator tools
• Pre-filled personal details
• Instant Aadhaar-based verification
• Easy refund tracking

For taxpayers with straightforward income sources, self tax preparation is now practical and manageable.

Documents Required Before Filing itreturn

Before starting your itreturn filing process, keep all essential documents ready. This helps avoid mistakes and saves time.

Basic Documents Checklist

• PAN Card
• Aadhaar Card
• Bank account details
• Form 16 from employer
• Salary slips
• Interest certificates from banks
• Investment proofs under Section 80C
• Home loan interest certificate
• Capital gains statements, if applicable

Important Statements to Download

AIS Annual Information Statement

The AIS annual information statement is extremely important because it shows:

• Bank interest
• Share transactions
• Mutual fund investments
• Foreign remittances
• TDS details

Always compare your income details with AIS before filing your itreturn.

Form 26AS

This statement reflects:

• TDS deducted
• Advance tax paid
• Self-assessment tax deposited

Mismatch in Form 26AS can delay refunds.

Step-by-Step Process to File itreturn Online

Step 1: Visit the Income Tax Portal

Go to the official Income Tax e-filing portal and log in using:

• PAN as User ID
• Password
• Captcha code

If you are a first-time user, complete the registration process first.

Step 2: Choose the Correct ITR Form

Selecting the right form is critical while filing your itreturn.

Common ITR Forms

ITR-1 (Sahaj)

Suitable for:

• Salaried individuals
• Pensioners
• Income up to ₹50 lakh
• One house property

ITR-4

Suitable for:

• Freelancers
• Small businesses under presumptive taxation

Using the wrong form may result in defective return notices.

Step 3: Check Auto Populated Data

The portal now imports several details automatically.

This auto populated data may include:

• Salary details
• Interest income
• TDS information
• Personal information

Do not blindly trust pre-filled information. Always cross-check with your documents.

Sometimes banks report incorrect interest income or duplicate entries.

Step 4: Compute Total Income Carefully

One of the most important parts of filing your itreturn is to compute total income correctly.

Your total income may include:

• Salary income
• House property income
• Business income
• Freelance income
• Interest income
• Capital gains

Example

Suppose your annual salary is ₹9 lakh and your bank FD interest is ₹25,000. Many taxpayers forget to include FD interest while filing itreturn. This may later trigger a notice from the department.

Always ensure every income source is included.

Step 5: Claim Eligible Deductions

After you compute total income, claim deductions properly to reduce tax liability.

Common Deductions

Section 80C

Eligible investments include:

• PPF
• ELSS mutual funds
• LIC premiums
• EPF contribution

Maximum deduction: ₹1.5 lakh

Section 80D

Medical insurance premium deduction.

Home Loan Benefits

• Principal repayment under 80C
• Interest deduction under Section 24

Claiming deductions accurately can significantly reduce your tax burden.

Step 6: Use an Online Tax Calculator

Before submitting your itreturn, use an online tax calculator to estimate your final tax liability.

This helps you:

• Avoid underpayment
• Estimate refund amount
• Compare old vs new tax regime

Many taxpayers file returns without checking tax calculations, which later creates problems.

Step 7: Pay Outstanding Tax if Applicable

If tax is still payable after TDS adjustment, deposit self-assessment tax online.

You can pay through:

• Net banking
• UPI
• Debit card

After payment, update the challan details in your itreturn.

Step 8: Review and Submit Your itreturn

Before final submission:

• Verify PAN details
• Confirm bank account number
• Check deduction claims
• Match AIS annual information statement data

Even a small mistake can delay refunds or trigger notices.

Step 9: Verify Tax Returns

After submission, the final and most important step is to verify tax returns.

Without verification, your itreturn is considered invalid.

Methods to Verify Tax Returns

• Aadhaar OTP
• Net banking
• Demat account
• Bank account EVC
• Physical ITR-V posting

Aadhaar OTP verification is usually the fastest option.

Common Mistakes People Make While Filing itreturn

Even though online filing is easier today, taxpayers still make avoidable errors.

Ignoring AIS Data

Mismatch with AIS annual information statement often results in notices.

Choosing Wrong Tax Regime

Many taxpayers fail to compare old and new regimes properly.

Forgetting Interest Income

Savings account and FD interest are taxable.

Filing Without Review

Never rush your itreturn submission without checking all figures.

When Should You Hire a Professional Instead?

Self tax preparation works well for basic cases. However, professional guidance becomes important if you have:

• Business income with complex accounting
• Foreign assets
• Multiple capital gains transactions
• GST-related complications
• Tax notices
• Partnership income

A CA can help optimise tax planning and ensure compliance.

Benefits of Filing itreturn Online Yourself

There are several advantages to filing your own itreturn.

Cost Savings

You avoid unnecessary professional charges for simple returns.

Better Financial Awareness

You understand your own tax structure better.

Faster Processing

Direct online filing speeds up refunds and acknowledgements.

Better Record Management

Digital filing keeps all records organised.

FAQs About itreturn Filing

Is itreturn filing mandatory for salaried employees?

Yes, if your income exceeds the basic exemption limit or you meet certain specified conditions.

Can I file itreturn without Form 16?

Yes. You can use salary slips, bank statements, and AIS annual information statement to prepare your return.

What happens if I do not verify tax returns?

Your itreturn becomes invalid if you fail to verify tax returns within the prescribed timeline.

Which is the best e-file software for beginners?

The government portal itself is sufficient for most basic taxpayers. However, some private e-file software platforms offer additional guidance and automation.

Can freelancers file itreturn themselves?

Yes, freelancers with basic income structures can easily complete self tax preparation using ITR-4.

Filing your itreturn online without hiring a Chartered Accountant is now completely possible for many taxpayers in India. With auto populated data, AIS annual information statement access, online tax calculator tools, and simplified compliance systems, the process has become far more user-friendly.

The most important thing is to compute total income accurately, review all information carefully, and verify tax returns after submission. While self tax preparation works well for simple cases, professional support is still valuable for complex tax situations.

At GST Wale, we believe taxpayers should understand their compliance responsibilities clearly and confidently. If you need expert assistance with itreturn filing, tax planning, or notice handling, our experienced team is always ready to help you file accurately and stress-free.