- Date : 10/12/2020
- Read: 5 mins
Filing income tax returns is a must for any responsible citizen earning an income. Here’s what you should know about when to file tax returns and who has to file income tax return.
Filing IT returns is mandatory for those who earn a certain amount of annual income. So the answer to the question who should file tax returns is anyone and everyone who earns income from their job, business, consultancy services, etc.
When to file income tax?
Income tax returns has to be filed within a pre-determined due date to avoid penalties.
For the Financial Year 2018-2019/ Assessment Year 2019-2020), tax returns must be filed before 31 July 2019 for individuals, and by 30 September 2019 for businesses.
Though filing ITR can be a tedious task, it comes with a number of advantages:
Related: Should you stick to the old tax regime or move to the new one?
Advantages of filing tax returns
- Filing IT returns makes you a responsible citizen of your nation.
- This can boost chances of getting a suitable home loan if you apply for one in the future.
- Some credit card companies demand proof of tax returns before issuing a card.
- As income is recorded by the tax department, it is easier for individuals to enter into future transactions with minimal complications
- In cases when you want to claim adjustment against past losses, a return is compulsory. Filing returns may prove useful when someone needs to file a revised return. A person cannot file a revised return unless he/she has filed the original return.
Why should you file income tax return?
Even if your income level does not qualify for mandatory filing of returns, it may still be a wise choice to voluntarily do so. Why? For instance, the returns can serve as proof of your income if you apply for a loan as a co-borrower. If international travel is on your list, IT returns can be useful when applying for a visa. Additionally, in most states, registration of immovable properties requires advancing as proof of tax returns for the last three years.
Related: What are tax-free bonds and how they work
Who should file income tax return?
- Following is the list of people for whom filing returns are mandatory.
- Assesses whose gross total income is over the exemption limit for the year. The limit is 2.5 lakhs for those below 60 years, 3 lakhs for those between 60 and 80 years, and 5 lakhs for those over 80 years.
- NRIs except those covered u/s 115AC having taxable income
- Individuals who have suffered a loss from business or profession or speculative business or capital loss
- A resident who has signing authority in any account located outside India
- Individuals, HUF, AOP, BOI who have taxable income or taxable income before making deduction u/s 10A or 10B or 10BA or under chapter VIA exceeding the basic exemption limit
- A person who claims relief under sections 90 or 90A or deductions under section 91
- Individuals who don’t have taxable income and deposited TDS or advance tax payment should file income tax One can file income tax return even if they don’t have taxable income
Related: Top 6 most common mistakes to avoid when filing IT Returns
Filing income tax returns can now be done online, making the process easier and less time consuming than it was before. There are different forms available for filing returns, based on different criteria. So, ensure you understand these and follow them correctly to avoid any trouble later.
Linking Aadhaar and PAN for tax purposes
When it comes to filing income tax, the most essential document for both, individuals and businesses that pay tax, is the PAN card. To simplify the entire process and make it more transparent, linking the PAN and Aadhaar card has become mandatory. The Income Tax department has now enabled a new and easy way of linking both documents on its e-filing website. This will help the government keep tabs on all taxable transactions.
Ensuring individuals and businesses have only one Aadhaar and PAN card will limit the possibility to apply for multiple PAN cards, thus reducing tax evasion. Another major advantage of the PAN-Aadhaar card link is that people will be able to file their e-returns, or online Income Tax Returns seamlessly and quickly. By linking the two, it becomes easier to send Income Tax acknowledgement to the IT department via an OTP from your Aadhaar-verified mobile number.
Filing IT returns is a social duty of every responsible Indian. Additionally, filing returns before the end of every financial year will help avoid any other penalties.
Related: How tax-savvy are you? Find out with this quiz!
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information purposes only and should not be construed as investment, insurance, tax or legal advice. You are encouraged to separately obtain independent advice when making decisions in these areas.
Filing IT returns is mandatory for those who earn a certain amount of annual income. So the answer to the question who should file tax returns is anyone and everyone who earns income from their job, business, consultancy services, etc.
When to file income tax?
Income tax returns has to be filed within a pre-determined due date to avoid penalties.
For the Financial Year 2018-2019/ Assessment Year 2019-2020), tax returns must be filed before 31 July 2019 for individuals, and by 30 September 2019 for businesses.
Though filing ITR can be a tedious task, it comes with a number of advantages:
Related: Should you stick to the old tax regime or move to the new one?
Advantages of filing tax returns
- Filing IT returns makes you a responsible citizen of your nation.
- This can boost chances of getting a suitable home loan if you apply for one in the future.
- Some credit card companies demand proof of tax returns before issuing a card.
- As income is recorded by the tax department, it is easier for individuals to enter into future transactions with minimal complications
- In cases when you want to claim adjustment against past losses, a return is compulsory. Filing returns may prove useful when someone needs to file a revised return. A person cannot file a revised return unless he/she has filed the original return.
Why should you file income tax return?
Even if your income level does not qualify for mandatory filing of returns, it may still be a wise choice to voluntarily do so. Why? For instance, the returns can serve as proof of your income if you apply for a loan as a co-borrower. If international travel is on your list, IT returns can be useful when applying for a visa. Additionally, in most states, registration of immovable properties requires advancing as proof of tax returns for the last three years.
Related: What are tax-free bonds and how they work
Who should file income tax return?
- Following is the list of people for whom filing returns are mandatory.
- Assesses whose gross total income is over the exemption limit for the year. The limit is 2.5 lakhs for those below 60 years, 3 lakhs for those between 60 and 80 years, and 5 lakhs for those over 80 years.
- NRIs except those covered u/s 115AC having taxable income
- Individuals who have suffered a loss from business or profession or speculative business or capital loss
- A resident who has signing authority in any account located outside India
- Individuals, HUF, AOP, BOI who have taxable income or taxable income before making deduction u/s 10A or 10B or 10BA or under chapter VIA exceeding the basic exemption limit
- A person who claims relief under sections 90 or 90A or deductions under section 91
- Individuals who don’t have taxable income and deposited TDS or advance tax payment should file income tax One can file income tax return even if they don’t have taxable income
Related: Top 6 most common mistakes to avoid when filing IT Returns
Filing income tax returns can now be done online, making the process easier and less time consuming than it was before. There are different forms available for filing returns, based on different criteria. So, ensure you understand these and follow them correctly to avoid any trouble later.
Linking Aadhaar and PAN for tax purposes
When it comes to filing income tax, the most essential document for both, individuals and businesses that pay tax, is the PAN card. To simplify the entire process and make it more transparent, linking the PAN and Aadhaar card has become mandatory. The Income Tax department has now enabled a new and easy way of linking both documents on its e-filing website. This will help the government keep tabs on all taxable transactions.
Ensuring individuals and businesses have only one Aadhaar and PAN card will limit the possibility to apply for multiple PAN cards, thus reducing tax evasion. Another major advantage of the PAN-Aadhaar card link is that people will be able to file their e-returns, or online Income Tax Returns seamlessly and quickly. By linking the two, it becomes easier to send Income Tax acknowledgement to the IT department via an OTP from your Aadhaar-verified mobile number.
Filing IT returns is a social duty of every responsible Indian. Additionally, filing returns before the end of every financial year will help avoid any other penalties.
Related: How tax-savvy are you? Find out with this quiz!
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information purposes only and should not be construed as investment, insurance, tax or legal advice. You are encouraged to separately obtain independent advice when making decisions in these areas.
