How to File Income Tax Return (ITR) in India FY 2025-26 — Step-by-Step Guide for AY 2026-27

Jump to section

Last verified: May 2026 against the official Income Tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) for AY 2026-27 filing season opening 1 April 2026.

The 30-second answer

Filing your ITR for FY 2025-26 is a 30-60 minute online process. Six steps:

1. Pick the right ITR form — ITR-1 (most salaried), ITR-2 (capital gains/multiple house properties), ITR-3 (business income), ITR-4 (presumptive business)
2. Collect documents — Form 16, Form 26AS, AIS, bank/broker statements, deduction proofs
3. Log in to incometax.gov.in with PAN + password
4. Choose AY 2026-27 and confirm regime (new is default; old is opt-in)
5. Verify pre-filled data, fill remaining heads, calculate tax, pay any balance
6. E-verify within 30 days via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or DSC

Deadline: 31 July 2026 for non-audit individuals; 31 August 2026 for ITR-3/ITR-4 (extended this year); 31 October 2026 for audit cases. Late filing attracts ₹5,000 fee + interest.

Important 2026 portal note

The e-filing portal now shows two tabs:

• Tab 1 — Income Tax Act 1961: Use this for FY 2025-26 returns filed in July 2026 (your current filing)
• Tab 2 — Income Tax Act 2025 / Tax Year 2026-27: Use this only from July 2027 onwards for FY 2026-27 returns

Always select the correct tab based on the financial year you’re filing for. The new Income Tax Act 2025 came into force 1 April 2026 but applies to FY 2026-27 onwards.

Which ITR form should you use?

Most salaried readers use ITR-1 unless they have capital gains from stocks/mutual funds — in which case ITR-2 is mandatory.

Documents you need before starting

1. Form 16 from your employer (Part A: TDS details; Part B: salary breakup with deductions)
2. Form 26AS: download from the e-filing portal — shows all TDS deducted across deductors
3. Annual Information Statement (AIS): comprehensive view of your reported transactions (interest, dividend, mutual fund redemptions, share sales, property)
4. Bank account statements: especially for interest income from savings/FDs
5. Capital gains statement from your broker/AMC if you’ve sold stocks or mutual funds
6. Deduction proofs (only for old regime): 80C investments, 80D health insurance, HRA receipts, home loan certificate, donation receipts under 80G
7. Aadhaar number linked to PAN (mandatory for filing)
8. Bank account number + IFSC (for refund deposit)

Step-by-step filing on the e-filing portal

Step 1 — Log in

Go to incometax.gov.in. User ID is your PAN. Password is what you set during registration.

Step 2 — Start the return

Top menu → e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return. The portal asks: which AY? Select AY 2026-27 (for FY 2025-26 income).

Step 3 — Filing mode and status

Select Online mode → Original return (or Revised if already filed) → Individual status.

Step 4 — Choose ITR form

Pick from ITR-1 to ITR-4 based on the table above. The portal will warn you if your income type doesn’t match.

Step 5 — Reason for filing

Choose: Taxable income exceeds basic exemption limit / Mandatory filing / To claim refund.

Step 6 — Verify pre-filled data

Portal pre-fills name, PAN, Aadhaar, bank details, salary from Form 16. Always cross-check these — pre-filled data has been wrong in some cases.

Step 7 — Choose tax regime

By default new regime is selected. To switch to old, click “Want to opt for old tax regime?”. Once selected, fill all eligible deductions.

Step 8 — Fill income heads + deductions

Salary head pre-fills from Form 16. Add: house property income/loss, capital gains, other sources (interest, dividend), exempt income (PPF interest etc.). Old regime: add 80C, 80D, HRA, 24(b), 80CCD(1B).

Step 9 — Tax computation + self-assessment payment

Portal computes total tax. If TDS already covers it, you may have a refund. If tax is due, pay through Challan 280 from the portal (UPI/net banking/credit card).

Step 10 — Submit and e-verify

Submit the return. Then e-verify within 30 days via Aadhaar OTP (fastest), net banking, bank EVC, demat EVC, or DSC. If you don’t e-verify within 30 days, the return is invalid.

Deadlines for FY 2025-26 / AY 2026-27

Late filing fee: ₹1,000 if total income ≤ ₹5L, ₹5,000 otherwise. Plus 1% interest per month under Section 234A on unpaid tax.

Common mistakes that trigger notices

1. Mismatch between Form 26AS / AIS and what you reported. The IT Department auto-matches.
2. Not reporting capital gains on stocks / MF. Even ₹5,000 from a SIP redemption shows in AIS.
3. Claiming HRA without rent receipts for amounts over ₹3,000/month. Landlord PAN required if annual rent > ₹1 lakh.
4. Wrong ITR form selection. Filing ITR-1 when you have capital gains → return treated as defective.
5. Forgetting foreign assets disclosure. Mandatory if you hold any foreign asset/account. Penalty: ₹10 lakh per asset.
6. Not e-verifying within 30 days. Return becomes invalid.

FAQs

Can I file ITR even if my income is below ₹2.5 lakh?
Yes, and you should — it builds tax history useful for visa applications, loan approvals, and refund claims.

What if I miss the 31 July deadline?
You can still file until 31 December 2026 as a belated return, but with ₹1,000-5,000 late fee + interest.

Can I switch tax regime while filing ITR?
Salaried: yes, every year. Even if your employer deducted TDS based on old regime, you can switch when filing the ITR.

Do I need a CA to file?
For ITR-1 and simple ITR-4, no — the portal walks you through. For ITR-2 (capital gains) or ITR-3 (business), a CA is recommended.

How long does the refund take?
If e-verified promptly, refunds typically credit in 3-30 days for ITR-1.

Sources & references

• Income Tax Department of India — official e-filing portal
• Salaried Individuals for AY 2026-27 — official guide
• Old vs New Tax Regime FY 2026-27 — pick before filing
• Income Tax Calculator — preview your tax