HARISH BABU KM
Updated on 07-11-2026
Filing an income tax return can feel like a chore, but doing it online has become far easier. The portal now pre fills much of your data, such as salary, interest and TDS, so most of the work is checking and confirming. Taxpayers who keep clean records through the year usually finish their return in a fraction of the time.
This guide walks you through the full process for the financial year ended 31 March 2026 (AY 2026-27). You will see who needs to file, which form to choose, the exact steps on the e filing portal and what to do if you have missed the original date. Since the guide covers both individual and business filers, it also points out where good bookkeeping, such as a tool like Ledgers, helps you avoid mistakes.
You generally need to file if your income is above the basic exemption limit under your chosen tax regime. Filing is also required in some cases even when income is lower, such as when you:
Even if filing is not mandatory, a return is useful proof of income for loans, visas and tenders.
The usual due dates for this year were 31 July 2026 for non audit individuals filing ITR 1 or ITR 2, 31 August 2026 for non audit individuals and professionals filing ITR 3 or ITR 4, and 31 October 2026 for audit cases. These dates may have changed through official notifications, so always confirm on the income tax portal.
If you missed the original date, a belated return can still be filed until 31 December 2026, and a revised return can be filed until 31 March 2027, subject to current rules. An updated return is also possible for a longer period, with additional tax.
Gathering documents first saves time. You will usually need:
If you run a business, keep sales, purchases and expenses updated in Ledgers so your income figures match your invoices and tax records.
Picking the wrong form can lead to a defective return notice. In short:
Check eligibility conditions on the portal before you begin.
Follow this simple process:
Your return is not complete until it is verified. You can e verify using:
Verification is generally required within 30 days of filing. If you skip it, the return may be treated as not filed. After verification, you can download the acknowledgement and track refund status on the portal.
Missing the original date has consequences:
Rules and amounts can change, so confirm the current position on the official portal or with a tax professional.
Many notices come from avoidable errors. Watch out for:
Most of these come down to messy or incomplete records, and that is exactly what Ledgers software fixes. It keeps every invoice, expense, and income entry in one place all year, so you can reconcile your books against AIS and Form 26AS in minutes, catch interest income and small gains before they slip through, and attach proof to every deduction you claim.
The table below gives a quick overview. Always confirm eligibility on the official portal.
Form | Who Can Use It | Typical Income Sources | Not Suitable If |
ITR 1 | Resident individuals within the prescribed income limit | Salary, pension, one or two house properties, other sources | You have business income or foreign assets |
ITR 2 | Individuals and HUFs without business income | Salary, house property, capital gains, foreign assets | You have business or professional income |
ITR 3 | Individuals and HUFs with business or profession | Business or professional income, plus all other heads | You qualify for presumptive filing and prefer ITR 4 |
ITR 4 | Resident taxpayers opting for presumptive taxation | Presumptive business or professional income | You have capital gains beyond the allowed limit or foreign assets |
ITR 5 | Firms and LLPs | Partnership or LLP income | You are an individual or a company |
ITR 6 | Companies | Corporate income | You are not a company |
ITR 7 | Trusts, institutions and certain other entities | Trust or institutional income | You are an individual taxpayer |
Filing your ITR online is simple when you prepare in advance. Gather your documents, pick the right form, review the pre filled data carefully, pay any tax due and verify the return on time. If you are late, file a belated return as soon as possible to limit penalties.
If you want your income, expenses and tax records organised all year, so that filing becomes a quick review instead of a scramble, explore Ledgers and see how it can simplify your tax season.
