How to file taxes online in India

Businesses are going online. More often banking happens over Internet. Population of web workers is growing significantly. This is the era of e-business. Government is making every effort to connect citizens digitally. Taxes are not any different. You can pay taxes online using net banking facilities and file Income Tax Return (ITR) without moving even an inch from your digital work space. Pay your taxes, be a responsible citizen. Here is how to eFile Taxes Online in India?

Step 1: Log on to https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in

If you are not a member of Income Tax India official website REGISTER first using your PAN i.e. Permanent Account Number

For registration, Log On to https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/e-Filing/Registration/RegistrationControl.html

As soon registration process is complete Log In to https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in for more actions.

Also Read: 5 things to know when filing for income tax returns

New online services like HamaraTax, ClearTax, H&R Block etc provides step by step instructions to file income tax returns and take advantage of all the options to get the maximum deductions possible for you. Learn more about how to e-file income tax returns using HamaraTax.

Step2: View your tax credit statement — Form 26AS — for the financial year for which you wish to eFile Taxes, for example, FY 2013-14 or FY 2014-15 etc.

The tax credit statement is the reflection of the taxes deducted by your employer and deposited with the I-T department. The TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) as per your Form 16 must match with the figures in Form 26AS.

Do not file a return with discrepancies, else the Income Tax (IT) department will send you a notice regarding same. Correct your entries before filing.

Step 3: Under the 'Download' Section, click on Income Tax Return Forms and choose AY 2013-14 (for the financial year 2014-15). Download the Income Tax Return (ITR) Form applicable to you.

In case ITR-1 or ITR 4S is the relevant application form for you, use the link Quick eFile ITR and complete the filing process online. If other form is applicable Download the same and proceeds to next step.

Step 4: Open the downloaded Return Preparation Software (excel utility) and enter all the details to complete the application process.

Step 5: Calculate your Taxes. Pay if applicable and fill the Challan details in the ITR Form.

Step 6: Check once again and make sure every detail entered in the ITR Form is correct. Click 'Validate' tab.

Step 7: Next proceed to generate an XML file and save it on your computer.

Step 8: Navigate to 'Upload Return' on the website's left panel and upload the saved XML file. Now the system will ask whether you wish to digitally sign the file. If you have obtained a DS (digital signature), select Yes. Or, choose 'No'.

Step 9: Depending on your connection speed in a matter of few seconds ITR website will flash a message of successful process and acknowledgement form — ITR—Verification (ITR-V ) will be generated. Download the same.

Step 10: Take a printout of the form ITR-V, sign it preferably in blue ink, and mail it only by ordinary post or Speed post to the Income-Tax Department-CPC, Post Bag No-1, Electronic City Post Office, Bangalore - 560 100, Karnataka, within 120 days of filing your return online.