How to file Income Tax Return (ITRA) perfectly and how to get refund in 2025

Every year crores of people in India file their Income Tax Return (ITR). But due to confusion, mistakes, or lack of awareness, many people either do not file ITR or file it incorrectly, which can impact your tax refund, legal status, and future loan approvals.

If you want your ITR to be filed correctly and get maximum refund, then this article is a complete guide for you.

🔹What is Income Tax Return (ITR)?

ITR is a legal document in which you give details of your annual income, deductions and taxes to the government.

You file ITR on the Income Tax Department’s portal. If your income is above the taxable limit (currently ₹2.5 lakh), then filing ITR is mandatory.

🔹 Benefits of filing ITR

Tax refund is available if you have paid more TDS.

Ease in taking loan – Personal loan, home loan, car loan etc.

Benefit in Visa application – Embassies see your income.

Future compliance is easy – penalties are avoided.

Benefit of loss carry forward – if there is business or capital loss.

🔹 Correct Time to File ITR (Due Date)

For FY 2024-25, the due date is 31st July 2025 (non-audit cases).

Late filing can attract a penalty of up to ₹5000.

🔹 What documents are required to file ITR?You should have these documents ready:

1. PAN Card Permanent Account Number – basic identity for taxation.

2. Aadhaar Card Mandatory for verification and linking.

3. Form 16 Get from the employer – your salary breakup and TDS details.

4. Form 26AS Available on Income Tax website – consolidated record of TDS.

5. Bank Account Details For getting refund – IFSC code and account number.

6. Investment Proofs LIC, PPF, ELSS, NPS – on which you have got tax deduction.

7. Capital Gains Statement If you have sold shares, mutual funds, or property.

8. Rental income documents If you are earning from rent.

9. Home loan interest certificate For interest deduction under section 24(b)

🔹 Which ITR Form to File?

There are different forms for different categories of ITR:

Form for whom

ITR-1 (Sahaj) Salary, Pension, One House Property, Interest Income (Income < ₹50 lakh)

ITR-2. Capital Gains, Foreign Income, More than one property

ITR-3 Business/Profession income

ITR-4 (Sugam). Presumptive Business Income (Section 44AD/ADA/AE)

🔹Step-by-Step How to File ITR (Online)

Step 1: Register/Login on Income Tax Portal

Visit: https://www.incometax.gov.in

Login using PAN (create password if not available).Step

2: Select ‘File Income Tax Return’

Assessment Year: 2025–26 (for FY 2024–25)

Mode of Filing: Online

Status: Individual / HUF / Others

Step 3: Choose Correct ITR Form

Based on your income category (salary, business, capital gains etc.)

Step 4: Pre-filled Data Check Karein

The portal will auto-fill your details (salary, TDS, bank interest).

Cross-check with Form 16 and Form 26AS.

Step 5: Add Deductions

Section 80C: LIC, ELSS, PPF, EPF etc.

Section 80D: Mediclaim (Health Insurance)

Section 80G: Donations

Section 80TTA/80TTB: Savings interest

Step 6: Calculate Tax Liability

The portal will automatically calculate your payable/refundable tax.

Step 7: Verify Details and Submit

Review all data. If everything is correct then click ‘Submit’.

Step 8: e-Verification

Aadhaar OTP (easiest)

Netbanking

Bank ATM (if available)

Demat account

Important: Unless you e-verify, ITR is not considered valid.

🔹 Common Mistakes in Filing ITR – Be careful!

Choosing the wrong ITR form

Wrongly filling in bank account details

Not attaching investment proofs

Forgetting e-Verification

Not cross-checking Form 26AS

Not declaring capital gains or crypto gains

Late filing – penalty may apply

🔹 When do you get a refund and how to track it?

✅ You get a refund when:

Your actual tax liability is less and you have paid more TDS or advance tax.

Example:The tax on your total income is ₹25,000, but your employer deducted ₹40,000 TDS. You will get a refund of ₹15,000.

✅ Refund Process:

File ITR and e-verify it

Income Tax Department will process the return

Refund is initiated from CPC Bangalore

Refund is directly credited to your bank account

✅ How to Check Refund Status?

Option 1: Income Tax Website

Login → Dashboard → View Returns/Forms → Select Year → “Refund Status”

Option 2: NSDL WebsiteVisit: https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refundstatuslogin.html Enter PAN + Year → Submit

🔹 What to do if refund is getting delayed?

If refund is not received even after 30-45 days:

Is ITR properly verified or not – check

Is bank details correct or not – cross-check

Is there any mismatch in Form 26AS?

Contact IT helpline – 1800 103 0025

🔹 Who should file ITR (Even If Not Mandatory)?Even if your income is less than ₹2.5 lakh, there are still benefits of filing ITR:

Freelancers / gig workers

Students with side income

Housewives with rental income

Retired individuals with FD interest

Record will be ready for future loan / visa

🔹 Should you take help of a CA or not?

If your income is simple (only salary, one house property), then you can file ITR yourself.But if:

There are capital gains

There is business or multiple income sources

There is crypto or foreign income

Then it would be better to take help of a CA (Chartered Accountant).

🔹Useful Tools And Websites

✅ https://www.incometax.gov.in – Official filing portal

✅ https://cleartax.in – Simplified ITR filing (paid)

✅ https://tax2win.in – Online CA support

✅ https://groww.in – Capital gains statement for mutual funds/stocks

Conclusion – Become a Smart Taxpayer

Filing ITR is not just a legal responsibility, but a smart financial habit. Filing on time, providing accurate data and claiming refund – all these secure your future plans.

File ITR today after organizing your income, documents and deductions – without any panic!

If you file on time every year, your financial record is clean, trustworthy and tax-compliant – which will help you a lot in the long-term.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purpose only. The tax-related guidelines given in this are of general nature and every individual’s financial situation is different. It is better to consult your CA (Chartered Accountant) or a certified tax advisor before filing ITR. Income Tax laws change with time, so always check the latest rules or refer to the official Income Tax website. We are not responsible for any financial decision taken on the basis of this article.

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