Income Tax Return (ITR) Filing in Jodhpur

1. Who Must File an ITR?

You must file an ITR for a financial year if:

• Your total income before deductions exceeded the basic exemption limit: ₹4 lakh under the new regime (from FY 2025-26) or ₹2.5 lakh under the old regime.
• You had foreign assets/income or signed as DSC for a company.
• Aggregate TDS/TCS ≥ ₹25,000 (₹50k for senior citizens).
• Your business turnover exceeded ₹60 lakh or professional receipts exceeded ₹10 lakh.

Pro tip for Jodhpur freelancers: Even if income is below threshold, filing an ITR helps while applying for home loans or visas.

2. ITR Forms: Which One Applies to You?

(ITR-5/6/7 cover firms, companies & trusts and are beyond this article’s scope.)

3. Documents Checklist

1. PAN & Aadhaar (linked).
2. Form 16 / salary slips.
3. Bank interest statements (Form 16A).
4. Capital-gains statements (e.g., Zerodha Console for shares).
5. Investment proofs (80C, 80D, NPS).
6. Rent receipts for HRA.
7. Balance sheet & P&L (for business/consultants).
8. Last year’s ITR acknowledgement (for reference).

Keep PDFs in a dedicated “Tax” folder for the year—saves time during upload.

4. Step-by-Step e-Filing Process

Step 1 – Register / Log in

Go to incometax.gov.in → ’Login’. First-timers click Register, using PAN as user ID.

Step 2 – Start New Filing

Navigate: e-File → Income Tax Returns → File ITR → the relevant Assessment Year (2026-27 for income earned in FY 2025-26) → Online.

Step 3 – Select Status & Form

Choose Individual / HUF / Company, then pick the ITR form suggested.

Step 4 – Pre-fill & Verify Data

Most salary details auto-load via AIS/TRACES. Cross-check with Form 16.

Step 5 – Claim Deductions

Enter Section 80C, 80D, donations (80G), etc. Let the portal recompute tax.

Step 6 – Choose Tax Regime

Compare tax payable under new and old regime. The portal shows both figures.

Step 7 – Pay Tax / Verify Refund

If tax payable > prepaid (TDS + advance), generate challan & pay via net-banking. Otherwise, confirm refund.

Step 8 – Submit & e-Verify

Submit return, then e-verify instantly via Aadhaar OTP/bank account/DSC. Unverified ITRs are invalid after 30 days.

5. Deadlines, Late Fees & Penalties

CBDT often extends these dates. For this year's exact dates, see our ITR filing 2026 guide. Interest under sections 234A/B/C also applies to late payment.

6. Benefits of Timely Filing

• Avoid penalties & prosecution.
• Faster refunds—ITD processes most within 7-14 days.
• Proof of income for loans, visas, tender bids.
• Carry-forward losses (capital & business) for up to 8 years.

7. After Filing: Refunds & Verification

• Track refund on the ITR dashboard → View Filed Returns.
• If refund is delayed > 30 days, raise a ticket via Grievances or call CPC Bengaluru (toll-free).
• You may receive an intimation u/s 143(1)—don’t panic; it’s an automated summary. Respond only if there’s a mismatch.

See also: Income-Tax Advisory & Planning in Jodhpur