E-filing income tax return: How individuals can upload any ITR using excel utility

economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/tax/e-filing-income-tax-return-how-individuals-can-upload-any-itr-using-excel-utility/articleshow/59035006.cms

By

Preeti Motiani

, ET Online|

Only ITR 1 and ITR 4 forms, filed by the individual taxpayers, can be filled online without downloading any software.

There are two ways to file income tax return (ITR) online. One way is to download the applicable income tax form from the tax department's website, fill the form offline, save it, generate an XML file and then upload it. The other way is to enter the relevant data directly in an online form and submit it.

1. Visit website - www.incometaxefiling.gov.in

2. Download the ITR form applicable to you depending on your income you have received in the financial year for which the return is to be filed. Click here to know which ITR form applies to you for FY 2017-18. The form is available in two alternative software formats- Excel and Java. The ITR forms are available under the "Downloads" tab given on the website for the relevant year. You can download whichever software you are comfortable with using. We have used excel utility for reference purpose.

3. Some Excel functions have to be enabled before filing up the ITR form in excel format. The side buttons, i.e., validate and others, in the Excel file will work only if 'Macros' and 'ActiveX' function of the workbook is enabled. The Macros can be enabled by visiting File > Excel options > Trust Centre > Trust Centre Settings > Macro Settings > Enable All Macro > Click 'OK' button twice to save this setting. The 'ActiveX settings' is also enabled in the similar fashion like macros in the Trust Centre settings.

4. Prepare the return by filling all the relevant information in the form. Tip: The cells with text in red colour have to be filled mandatorily and data has to be entered in green coloured cells by the taxpayer. While filling up the sheets some of the cells will automatically pick up data as they are system calculated based on data entered by you in other cells. Also, while filling the form, click the validate button once (after filling the sheet) to ensure all the relevant sections have been filled.

5. The ITR form will have multiple sheets - some relate to general information and computation of tax whereas others relate to different types of income and tax rebates. Open each sheet and fill the ones that are applicable to you depending on the types of income you have earned in the year for which the return is being filed. The general information sheet will have to be filled in all cases. Most of the fields (with white colour background) in the tax computation sheet get filled automatically once you fill the income sheets relating to those fields.

6. After you have entered all the information in the different worksheets (which are applicable to you) of the Excel file, save the sheet and then click 'Generate XML' button to generate xml version of your return. It is advisable to open the XML file generated and check that all the information filled in the form by you is showing correctly.

7. Now visit the e-filing website again to upload and file the return. If you are a first time user or filing your returns for the first time, then click on 'New Registration' and register yourself by providing the relevant information. One should make sure that email ID and mobile number is correctly mentioned while registering. This is because the I-T department sends all communication to you on your email. If you have already registered yourself then click on the 'Registered user'. Click here to know the registration process.

8. Enter your user ID, i.e., your PAN, password, and enter 'Captcha' to sign in.

9. Click on 'e-file' tab and select the 'Income Tax Return' option.

10. After clicking the 'Income Tax Return' option, the website will direct you to page where you will be required to enter few details before uploading your ITR XML for the relevant year. Enter details required: the relevant assessment year, ITR form name, submission mode. PAN detail will be pre-filled.

11. Once you have filled all the required details above, click on 'continue'. Here you will be required to select the option to verify your tax return. Select the one through which you wish to verify your ITR and click on 'Continue'.

12. In the next step, attach the ITR XML file using the browse button. (The same file which you have generated after filling the required information in excel/java utility software.) Upload the file and click on submit.

13. Once you have successfully uploaded and submitted the XML file, you will be required to verify your return. If you are mandatorily required to verify your ITR using 'Digital Signature', then you will be asked to upload your pre-registered signature. If you are not mandatorily required to verify your ITR using digital signature option, which is usually the case for individuals, then there are six ways using which you can verify your ITR. Click here to know 6 ways to verify your ITR.

14. Once the return is uploaded, a person can verify his return using electronic verification code, Aadhaar OTP or by sending the signed acknowledgement copy (ITR-V) to CPC, Bengaluru.

15. To e-verify your tax-return, go to 'My account' tab and select 'e-verify' option. Select the ITR uploaded and you will be required to choose from one of the three options given below. A person can e-verify his return by using either Aadhaar OTP option or electronic verification code (EVC) option generated either through net-banking, bank account, demat account or bank ATM (for selected bank only).

16. Once the verification process is chosen and completed then the process of filing ITR is complete. The I-T department will then process your verified returns and send you an email confirmation stating the same.