Every tax payer is required to file his tax return in the forms prescribed within the specified due dates.
The following return forms may be used for furnishing tax return:
Form No. | Description |
ITR 1 | For individuals having income from salary/pension/family pension and interest |
ITR 2 | For individuals and HUF not having income from business or profession |
ITR 3 | For individuals / HUF being partners in firms and not carrying out business or profession under any proprietorship |
ITR 4 | For individuals and HUF having income from proprietary business or profession |
ITR 5 | For firms, association of persons and body of individuals |
ITR 6 | For companies other than companies claiming exemption under section 11 |
ITR 7 | For persons including companies required to furnish return under section 139(4A) or section 139(4B) or section 139(4C) or section 139(4D) |
ITR 8 | Return of fringe benefits |
A tax return is required to be filed within the following due dates:
A company | October 31 of the assessment year |
A person other than a company whose accounts are required to be audited under the IT Act or any other law |
A working partner of a firm whose accounts are required to be audited under the IT Act or any other law |
Any other taxpayer | July31 of the assessment year |
The CBDT has been vested with the power to extend the due date of filing the tax returns by issuing a notification in this regard.
Filing of income tax return (‘return’)Under the IT Act, every company, firm and other persons (whose Gross total income exceeds Rs. 110,000) are required to file their returns in prescribed forms by 31 July/31 October of the year next following the end of the previous year.
Certain specified trusts, political parties and specified institutions are also compulsorily required to file their returns.
With the introduction of the e-filing facility, the requirement to file various documents like financial statements, tax audit report, TDS certificates etc. along with the return has been dispensed with.
The IT Act also contains provisions for filing a revised return and a belated return.
A belated return (return not filed within prescribed time) can be filed before the end of one year from the end of the assessment year or before the completion of assessment, whichever is earlier.
A revised return can be filed if the taxpayer discovers any omission or wrong statement in the return and can be filed before the end of one year from the end of relevant assessment year or before the completion of assessment whichever is earlier. A revised return replaces the original return for all purposes of the IT Act.