With the July 31, 2025, deadline to file your income tax return for FY 2024-25 just around the corner, the official e-filing portal can seem intimidating. But don’t worry! The new income tax website is designed to be more user-friendly than ever, with many details pre-filled for your convenience. This guide will provide a simple, step-by-step walkthrough for senior citizens to help you navigate the portal with confidence and submit your return on time.
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Step 0: Before You Log In – Your Preparation Checklist
A smooth filing experience starts with good preparation. Before you even open the website, have these documents and details ready at your side:
- Your PAN Card (This is your User ID).
- Your Aadhaar Card.
- Your mobile phone (linked with Aadhaar) for receiving OTPs.
- Your bank account details (Account Number and IFSC code).
- Form 16 for your pension, issued by the bank or your previous employer.
- Bank statements or interest certificates to confirm your total interest income.
- Details of any deductions you plan to claim (e.g., health insurance receipts for Section 80D), if using the Old Tax Regime.
The Main Event: Step-by-Step Guide to E-Filing Your Return
Follow these steps carefully. The process is logical and the portal will guide you through each stage.
Step 1: Logging In to the Portal
Open your web browser and go to the official income tax website: www.incometax.gov.in. On the homepage, click the “Login” button. Your User ID is your PAN number. Enter your password to log in. If you’ve never filed online, you will need to register first.
Step 2: Checking Your Tax Information (AIS/26AS)
This is a crucial first step after logging in.
- Go to the ‘e-File’ menu -> ‘Income Tax Returns’ -> ‘View Form 26AS’. This shows the tax that has been deducted (TDS) on your behalf.
- Go back to the main dashboard and click on the ‘AIS’ (Annual Information Statement) tab. This shows a detailed summary of your financial transactions, including interest paid to you.
Step 3: Starting the Filing Process
On your dashboard, click the prominent button that says ‘File Now’. Alternatively, go to ‘e-File’ -> ‘Income Tax Returns’ -> ‘File Income Tax Return’.
Step 4: Selecting the Correct Details
The portal will ask you for a few key details:
- Assessment Year: Choose 2025-26 (for income earned in FY 2024-25).
- Mode of Filing: Choose Online.
- ITR Form: For most seniors with pension and interest income, you should select ITR-1 (SAHAJ).
Step 5: Navigating the ITR Form (The 5 Tabs)
The online form is neatly divided into five tabs. Most of the data will be pre-filled.
- Personal Information: Carefully check your pre-filled name, PAN, address, and contact details. This is also where you must choose your tax regime: Old or New.
- Gross Total Income: Verify your pension income (from Form 16) and interest income. The portal will pre-fill this from your AIS, but you must confirm it is correct and add any income that might be missing.
- Total Deductions: If you selected the Old Tax Regime, this is where you will enter your deductions like Section 80TTB (for interest), Section 80D (for health insurance), etc.
- Tax Paid: Review the details of TDS deducted (from your Form 16/AIS) and any advance tax or self-assessment tax you may have paid.
- Total Tax Liability: This is the final summary screen. The portal will automatically calculate your total tax, and based on the tax already paid, it will show you if you have a Refund Due or Tax Payable.
Step 6: The Final Submit
Once you have confirmed the details on all five tabs, proceed to the “Preview and Submit” page. Review the summary of your return one last time. If everything is correct, click “Proceed to Validation” and then “Submit”.
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Don’t Forget the Final, Crucial Step: E-Verification
Submitting your ITR is not the end of the process. An unverified return is treated as if it was never filed. You must verify it within 30 days of submission. The easiest methods are:
- Aadhaar OTP: This is the fastest and most recommended method. An OTP is sent to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar, and you enter it to verify instantly. li>Bank Account EVC: You can generate an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) through your pre-validated bank account’s net banking portal.
- Post: As a last resort, you can print the ITR-V acknowledgement, sign it in blue ink, and send it by ordinary post to the CPC in Bengaluru.
Congratulations! You’ve Navigated the Portal
The July 31st deadline is not flexible. By breaking the process down into these manageable steps, you can tackle your e-filing with confidence and get it done from the comfort of your home. The modern e-filing portal is a tool designed to help you, and with a bit of preparation, you can master it for a stress-free tax season.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not professional tax advice. The features and layout of the income tax portal are subject to change. For complex tax situations, it is always best to consult with a qualified Chartered Accountant.
