How to File Income Tax Return Online
Filing your ITR on the e-filing portal is free and fairly simple once you know the flow. Here's the full step-by-step for AY 2026-27 — from login to e-verification — plus when it's smarter to let a CA handle it.
Prefer a CA to file it? Tap hereTo file your income tax return online: log in to the income tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in), go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return, select AY 2026-27 and the right ITR form, review the pre-filled data against your AIS and 26AS, pay any tax due, submit, and e-verify within 30 days.
Documents everyone needs
Whatever your income type, these form the base of every return. Keep them ready before you begin.
PAN card
Your Permanent Account Number — the primary identifier on every return.
Aadhaar
Mandatory and must be linked to your PAN; used for e-verification.
Form 26AS & AIS / TIS
Your annual tax statement and Annual Information Statement — match every entry before filing.
Bank account details
Account number and IFSC of all active accounts, for refund and reporting.
Form 16 / 16A
TDS certificates — Form 16 from your employer, Form 16A for other deducted income.
Last year's ITR
Helpful for carry-forwards, comparatives and pre-filled data.
Documents by income type
On top of the universal set, add the papers that match your sources of income for FY 2025-26.
Salaried / pensioner
Form 16 from your employer, salary slips, HRA and rent receipts, LTA proof, and any Form 12BB declarations.
File this return →Business & professional
Books of account, profit & loss and balance sheet, bank statements, GST returns, and details for 44AD / 44ADA presumptive income.
File this return →Capital gains
Broker / demat statements for shares and mutual funds, sale and purchase deeds for property, and improvement-cost proofs.
File this return →House property
Home-loan interest certificate, rent received details, municipal tax receipts and co-owner details.
File this return →Other income
Interest certificates from banks and post office, dividend statements, and any winnings or commission details.
File this return →NRI / foreign income
Passport and residency details, foreign income and asset details, DTAA / TRC documents, and NRO/NRE bank statements.
File this return →Deduction & exemption proofs
Claiming deductions under the old regime? Keep these proofs ready — the new regime largely does without them, so check which regime is cheaper for you first.
Section 80C
LIC, PPF, EPF, ELSS, tuition fees, principal on home loan, 5-year FD.
Section 80D
Health insurance premium receipts for self, family and parents.
Home loan
Interest certificate (Section 24b) and principal (80C) from your lender.
Section 80G
Donation receipts with the institution's PAN and 80G details.
Section 80E / 80TTA
Education-loan interest; savings-account interest up to the limit.
NPS — 80CCD(1B)
Contribution proof for the additional ₹50,000 deduction.
Not sure which regime wins? Compare both in the income tax calculator before you assemble proofs.
Reconcile against AIS & 26AS first
You don't upload most of these documents — ITR filing is paperless — but you must keep them to support what you report. The single most important check: make sure your income and TDS match your AIS and Form 26AS. A mismatch here is the leading cause of a tax notice.
Not sure if you even need to file? →Documents for ITR — FAQs
What documents are required for income tax return filing?
At a minimum: PAN, Aadhaar, Form 16 (or 16A), your AIS and Form 26AS, bank account details, and proofs for any deductions claimed. Additional documents depend on your income type — salary, business, capital gains, house property or foreign income.
Do I need to upload these documents while filing?
No. ITR filing is paperless — you report figures, you don't attach documents. But you must keep them safely to support your return if the department asks.
What documents does a salaried person need?
Form 16 from the employer, salary slips, HRA and rent receipts, and proofs for any deductions under the old regime. Reconcile everything against your AIS and 26AS.
What documents are needed for business income?
Books of account, profit & loss and balance sheet, bank statements and GST returns — or, under presumptive taxation (44AD / 44ADA), turnover and receipt details.
Are documents different under the new regime?
Largely yes — the new regime drops most deductions, so you need fewer proofs. Compare both regimes first to decide which is cheaper for you.
Can a CA file with just my documents?
Yes. Send your documents on WhatsApp — we pick the right ITR form, choose the best regime, claim every eligible deduction, and file on time.
Have your documents? We'll handle the filing
Send your Form 16, AIS and any deduction proofs on WhatsApp. A Chartered Accountant picks the right ITR, reconciles your 26AS, claims every deduction, and files on time.
Send documents to a CAThis checklist of documents required for income tax return filing is for AY 2026-27 (FY 2025-26) and is for general information only — not tax, legal or financial advice. Requirements vary with your facts and may change. Verify what applies to you, or consult a Chartered Accountant, before filing.