ITR filing: Complete list of forms you need to fill according to your tax slab

The July 31 deadline to file the income tax returns (ITR) is drawing nearer. And if you are filing ITR for the first time and has no idea about the process, then let us help you out with the step-wise guide and a complete list of document you will be required while submitting the papers. 

First let us understand what is filing of income tax return is? According to the Income Tax department's website, ITR stands for Income Tax Return​. It is a prescribed form through which the particulars of income earned by a person in a financial year and taxes paid on such income are communicated to the Income-tax Department. It also allows carry -forward of loss and claim refund from income tax department.​Different forms of returns of income are prescribed for filing of returns for different Status and Nature of income. These forms can be downloaded from www.incometaxindia.gov.in 
 
What all ITR forms have been prescribed under the Income Tax law? 
 
​​Under the Income-tax Law, different forms of returns are prescribed for different classes of taxpayers. The return forms are known as ITR forms (Income Tax Return Forms). 
 
Below are the various forms you need to fill according to your tax slab: 
 
ITR - 1 also known as SAHAJ is applicable to an individual having salary or pension income or income from one house property (not a case of brought forward loss) or income from other sources (not being lottery winnings and income from race horses, income taxable under section 115BBDA or income reffered in section 115BBDA).
 
ITR - 2 is applicable to an individual or an Hindu Undivided Family who is not eligible to file Sahaj ITR-1 and whose income chargeable to income-tax under the head “Profits or gains of business or profession” is in the nature of interest, salary, bonus, commission or remuneration, by whatever name called, due to, or received by him from a partnership firm.
 
ITR - 3 is applicable to an individual or a Hindu Undivided Family who is carrying on a proprietory business or profession.
 
ITR - 4 also known as SUGAM is applicable to individuals or Hindu Undivided Family or partnership firm (other than limited liability partnership firm) who have opted for the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD/ 44ADA/44AE.​
 
ITR - 5: This Form can be used by a person being a firm, LLP, AOP, BOI, artificial juridical person referred to in section 2(31)(vii), co-operative society and local authority. However, a person who is required to file the return of income under section 139(4A) or 139(4B) or 139(4C) or 139(4D) or section 139(4E) or section 139(4F) shall not use this form (i.e., trusts, political parties, institutions, colleges, investment fund etc.)
 
ITR - 6 is applicable to a company, other than a company claiming exemption under section 11 (exemption under section 11 can be claimed by charitable/religious trust).
 
ITR - 7 is applicable to a persons including companies who are required to furnish return under section 139(4A) or 139(4B) or 139(4C) or 139(4D) or section 139(4E) or section 139(4F) (i.e., trusts, political parties, institutions, colleges, investment fund, etc.).
​ITR - V It is the acknowledgement of filing the return of income.
 
How can you file ITR? 
​​
ITR can be filed with the Income-tax Department in any of the following ways, -
  (i) by furnishing the return in a paper form;
 
 (ii) by furnishing the return electronically under digital signature;
 
(iii) by transmitting the data in the return electronically under electronic verification code;
 
(iv) by transmitting the data in the return electronically and thereafter submitting the verification of the return in Return Form ITR-V;
 
What are the benefits of e-filing ITR?
 
​​E-filing can be done from any place at any time and it saves time and efforts. It is simple, easy and faster. The e-filed returns are generally processed faster as compared to returns filed manually.​​