A taxpayer can file income tax returns in either offline or online mode. Read this post to know the steps involved in filing tax returns using any of these two modes. 

Paying your taxes in time is just the half work done. Your job is not complete unless you file your income tax return which you must file every year. 

Income Tax Return

Income tax return or ITR is the form used to share information about your income and taxes with the income tax department. A taxpayer must file ITR for every financial year. While individuals not having any taxable income are exempted from ITR filing, they can voluntarily file ITR showing zero returns.

Apart from being an important exercise, ITR filing is beneficial for taxpayers as well because it helps them in claiming income tax refunds from the tax department in case they paid more taxes than the stipulated amount.

There are two modes of filing an ITR- Online Mode and Offline Mode. Read further to know the steps involved in both modes to file an ITR- 

Steps to File ITR Using Offline Mode 

1. Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal  https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/
2. Go to the Downloads section.
3. Select Assessment Year.
4. You will see various utility software links given under “Common Offline Utility”.
5. Download the utility that supports the ITR form you will fill out.
6. Extract the contents of the downloaded Zip file and open the utility from the newly extracted folder.
7. Fill in the ITR form as per your details.
8. Calculate income tax after validating all the tabs.
9. Generate the XML file and save it.
10. Now, using your PAN and password, log in to the e-filing portal.
11. Click on the “e-file” menu and select “Income Tax Return” from the drop-down list.
12. Select the “offline mode”.
13. Click on “upload file” to upload the saved XML file.
14. Submit the ITR.
15. Once the ITR is submitted, you will need to e-verify the ITR through any of the following methods.

• Digital Signature Certificate
• Aadhaar (One Time Password)
• EVC (Electronic Verification Code) using a prevalidated bank account or Demat account details
• Generate EVC through bank ATM (Such EVC will be valid for 72 hours)

Alternatively, you can take the printout of the ITR form, sign it, and send it by post to the following address for verification.

Centralized Processing Centre, Income Tax Department Bengaluru- 560500

Steps to File ITR Using Online Mode 

1. Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal  https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/.
2. Log in to the portal using your PAN and password.
3. Click on the “e-file” menu and select “Income Tax Return” from the drop-down list.
4. Select your assessment year and then select “online mode”.
5. Select your status and the ITR form applicable. Alternatively, you can select “Help me decide which ITR form to file”.
6. Now fill in your details as per the on-screen instructions and submit the form.
7. E-verify using any of the options mentioned previously. 

It may be clear to you by now that the online mode of income tax filing is quicker and hassle-free. However, you can always go for offline filing if you live in a place with an erratic Internet connection or you are uncomfortable filing your returns online.

Eventually, it is your call to choose between the online or offline mode of ITR filing, depending upon your comfort zone.