Buy a Life Insurance Plan in a few clicks
A plan that offer guaranteed returns and financial protection for your family.
Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder
A plan that offers guaranteed income for your future goals.
Thank you
Our representative will get in touch with you at the earliest.
Pay 10,000/month for 10 years, Get 1,65,805/Year* for next 15 years.
ARN. No. KLI/23-24/E-BB/1201
Features
Ref. No. KLI/22-23/E-BB/999
Want to know everything about ITR e-filing? From benefits, steps of e-filing, and mistakes to avoid while e-filing, read this blog further.
Filing an income tax return is not only a legal obligation but also a responsible financial practice. It allows you to accurately report your income, claim deductions, determine tax liability, and maintain good financial standing. Taxes are not only important for individuals for financial stability but also necessary for contributing towards the country’s economy. These taxes provide a boost to the economy, assist in the growth and development of the country, and also improve the living standards of the population.
It is a common misconception that filing returns requires organizing and collecting a large number of documents. However, filing income tax returns (ITR) does not have to be tedious or challenging.
With new-age technological developments, you may easily file your returns electronically. With a few clicks, you can complete the e-filing procedure within a short period. ITR e-filing enables you to file returns from the convenience and comfort of your home or office without spending time waiting in long queues. This blog will take you through the steps of e-filing of income tax returns, its benefits, and what mistakes to avoid while filing taxes online.
Electronic filing, also known as e-filing, refers to completing the online tax filing procedure for a particular assessment year. E-filing income tax returns eliminate the need to visit any office to file the returns physically. You simply log in to the e-filing website and complete the entire procedure within a few minutes.
Filing ITR (Income Tax Return) is an important financial obligation that individuals have to fulfill for several reasons, such as filing ITR can be beneficial for claiming refunds, and they also help in improving your creditworthiness. Let us take a look at other reasons which makes ITR filing beneficial for individuals:
It is a legal requirement in many countries, including India, for individuals with taxable income to file an income tax return. Failure to fulfill this requirement can result in penalties, fines, and legal consequences.
Filing an income tax return allows you to calculate your tax liability accurately. By reporting your income and claiming eligible deductions and exemptions, you can determine the amount of tax you owe or the refund you are entitled to receive.
If you have paid more taxes than necessary through tax withholding or estimated tax payments, filing a tax return is necessary to claim a refund. This is particularly relevant if you have eligible deductions, credits, or exemptions that can lower your taxable income.
Filing an income tax return serves as an important record-keeping practice. It provides a documented record of your financial activities, including income sources, deductions, and exemptions. This can be useful for future reference, financial planning, loan applications, and other financial transactions.
Filing your tax return demonstrates compliance with tax laws and helps you avoid penalties and legal consequences. Even if you do not owe any taxes, filing a tax return within the prescribed deadline is essential to stay in good standing with the tax authorities.
Your tax return and financial history are often used by financial institutions, lenders, and creditors to evaluate your creditworthiness. Consistently filing your tax returns and maintaining a clean tax record can positively impact your ability to secure loans, mortgages, and other financial opportunities.
Many government benefits, grants, and social security programs require individuals to submit their tax returns to determine eligibility. Filing your tax return can ensure that you have access to these benefits and avoid potential delays or complications.
Filing your income tax returns on time has several benefits. It ensures that you do not pay huge penalties due to not filing the ITR in a timely manner. Here are some benefits of online income tax e-filing:
Some part of your income, whether as a salary or business earnings, is deducted at source. Section 80C and other sections of the Income Tax (IT) Act provide tax benefits when you invest in certain types of financial products. When you invest in these instruments, the actual tax liability may be lower than what is deducted. Therefore, you need to avail yourself of a refund, which is possible only when you file your ITR in a timely manner.
When you travel abroad, in most cases, you require a visa. Foreign countries often require you to provide your income tax returns for the last few years at the time of visa application. Therefore, when you file your ITR in time, the process of procuring a visa becomes easier.
When you apply for a credit card, the issuer checks if you are able to pay the bills without any delays. The ITR is proof that shows your annual income. When you file your income tax returns regularly, you may be able to enjoy a higher limit on your credit card.
Every lender requires proof of filed ITR when you apply for any type of loan. These returns are necessary to enable the lenders to know your earnings, thereby determining your repayment capabilities. Lenders may reject your application if you do not file your ITR on time.
Income tax laws allow individuals to carry forward losses that may be set off against future taxable earnings for up to eight consecutive years. To take advantage of this provision, you need to file your ITR for every assessment year.
Having understood the benefits of e-filing ITR, let’s take a look at the different ways to complete this procedure:
As a responsible citizen, it is the duty of every citizen to file income tax returns. Still, the government has set some guidelines for those who are eligible for e-filing of income tax returns. For instance, the ITR-1 form is applicable to resident individuals who meet the following criteria.
Just like traditional paper-based filing, e-filing also requires certain documents to be submitted to complete the process successfully. These documents serve as evidence, support the information provided, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Understanding the documents required for e-filing is essential to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. You will need certain documents for e-filing. These documents include:
The process for income tax e-filing in India is very simple and quick. Here are the steps to follow:
To register on the e-filing portal, you will require your Permanent Account Number (PAN), date of birth, and name. The PAN is your user ID, and you need to provide a password.
There are several forms on the e-filing website, and you need to choose the one relevant to your requirements. Here are the available forms:
The relevant ITR form may be completed either online or offline. You may download the form and save it to your computer. Once you complete filling out the form, you may upload it on the e-filing website.
Once you upload the ITR form, you will receive Form ITR-V. If your Aadhar details are not linked, a physical copy of this form must be sent to the CPC in Bengaluru within 120 days from the date of filing.
When your TDS exceeds the total tax liability, you are eligible for a refund. You need to provide accurate bank details to ensure that the refund is received without any delays. You may also check the refund status online.
You can file your income tax returns in any language, including Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, and Bengali.
While e-filing income tax can be convenient and efficient, people can still do mistakes while doing so. Let us have a glance at common mistakes made while income tax filing:
It Is crucial to provide accurate personal information, such as name, AADHAR number, and address. Even a small error in this information can lead to issues with the processing of your return.
Choosing the wrong filing status, such as single instead of married filing jointly, can result in incorrect tax calculations and potentially lead to underpayment or overpayment of taxes.
Ensure that you report all sources of income correctly, including wages, self-employment income, investment income, and other taxable earnings. Failing to include income or reporting incorrect amounts can trigger an audit or result in penalties.
Taxpayers often make mistakes when claiming deductions and credits. It Is essential to understand the eligibility requirements for each deduction and credit and to report the expenses or circumstances that qualify accurately.
One of the most common mistakes is neglecting to sign the e-filed tax return. A digital signature is required for electronic filing, and failure to provide one will lead to the rejection of the return. Make sure to follow the instructions for signing your e-filed return.
If you are expecting a tax refund and choose direct deposit, double-check your bank account information to ensure it is entered correctly. Entering the wrong account or routing number can result in delayed refunds or funds deposited into someone else’s account.
If you received prior payments of the Premium Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit, it’s crucial to reconcile those amounts when filing your tax return. Neglecting to do so can lead to discrepancies and potential issues with your tax return.
After submitting your e-filed return, you may receive an error message indicating a problem with the filing. It is important to address these errors promptly and make any necessary corrections before the filing deadline.
To avoid these mistakes, it is recommended to double-check all information entered into the tax software, use reputable tax preparation software or seek professional assistance, and review your return before submitting it electronically.
Most people are unaware of what needs to be done after the ITR is filed. As mentioned in this blog, you will receive an acknowledgment through the ITR-V, which needs to be verified. If your Aadhar is linked, you may self-verify the same using an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) received on the registered mobile number. Alternatively, you need to send the ITR-V to the CPC within 120 days from the date of filing the returns.
E-filing income tax returns have revolutionized the process, making it convenient, efficient, and accessible for individuals. Contrary to the misconception that filing returns requires more time and effort, e-filing allows individuals to complete the procedure electronically with just a few clicks. By embracing this new-age technological development, individuals can easily fulfill their financial obligations, optimize their tax liabilities, and enjoy the benefits that come with timely and accurate tax filing.
1. How to Check Income Tax Returns Status Online?
2.Tax Planning and Tax Benefits of Life Insurance>
Amit Raje is an experienced marketer who has worked in various Fintechs and leading Financial companies in India. With focused experience in Digital, Amit has pioneered multiple digital commerce in India. Now, close to two decades later, he is the vice president and head of the D2C business department. He masters the skill of strategic management, also being certified in it from IIMA. He has challenged his challenges and contributed his efforts in this journey of digital transformation.
Prasad Pimple has a decade-long experience in the Life insurance sector and as EVP, Kotak Life heads Digital Business. He is responsible for developing user friendly product journeys, creating consumer awareness and helping consumers in identifying need for life insurance solutions. He has 20+ years of experience in creating and building business verticals across Insurance, Telecom and Banking sectors
Pay 10,000/month for 10 years, Get 1,65,805/Year* for next 15 years.
ARN. No. KLI/23-24/E-BB/1201
Features
Ref. No. KLI/22-23/E-BB/999
The information herein is meant only for general reading purposes and the views being expressed only constitute opinions and therefore cannot be considered as guidelines, recommendations or as a professional guide for the readers. The content has been prepared on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other sources believed to be reliable. Recipients of this information are advised to rely on their own analysis, interpretations & investigations. Readers are also advised to seek independent professional advice in order to arrive at an informed investment decision. Further customer is the advised to go through the sales brochure before conducting any sale. Above illustrations are only for understanding, it is not directly or indirectly related to the performance of any product or plans of Kotak Life.
