Ways to File an Income Tax Return

Ways to File an Income Tax Return

The due date to file ITR for Assessment Year 2022-23 is 31st July 2022. Taxpayers can file it on their own or avail the services of various experts to file it. These experts include government-approved service providers, private intermediaries, and chartered accountants.

Do it yourself

Over the years, the IT-Department has made all the services available online, filing income tax returns are now largely online, except in a few cases. If you are a salaried individual, with no other source of income other than salary, you can easily file your return through the I-T department’s e-filing portal (www.incometax.gov.in).

ITR filing through Chartered Accountants

In case you have multiple sources of income or are unable to handle the complexities, it is best way to approach a Chartered Accountant (CA), instead of making errors in filing the income tax returns.

In some cases where there is a requirement of tax audits, preparation of balance sheet and so on, you have no option other than to consult a CA. Usually, for an ITR, CA firms charge a fee of up to Rs 2,000. However, depending on the business level and complexity of income computation, fees can be much higher.

Tax Return Preparers (TRPs)

In order to help the taxpayers to and file their returns, the government notified the Tax Return Preparers Scheme, 2006. Under this scheme, the government gives training to people to act as authorised tax return preparers (TRPs).

A TRP can charge a maximum fee of Rs 250 per return. However, the TRP is also entitled to get incentives from the IT-department. You can find an authorised TRP in and around your area from the income tax website.

E-filing intermediaries

In order to improve the interface with the taxpayers, the IT Department introduced a scheme titled ‘Electronic Furnishing of Return of Income Scheme, 2007’. This scheme enables authorized intermediaries to file the ITR on behalf of the taxpayers electronically. This scheme is available to any taxpayer who is assessed or assessable to tax.

While TRPs are not so popular, e-filing intermediaries have become a go-to option for many tax filers who need a better interface and assistance to file their returns. Typically, e-filing intermediaries charge a fee, which differ based on several factors like sources of income, level of income and complexities.

Before you decide to use the services of an e-filing intermediary, make sure it is authorised by the I-T Department. After all, you are required to share all your critical information with them, including data related to personal, income, bank details, and so on. To find out whether they are an authorised intermediary or not, check their name on the I-T department’s website. Click on the list of registered e-Return Intermediaries and find out. However, the current list is not updated. You may ask an e-filing intermediary to provide a user ID and organisation name and check the validity.