Steps for Beginners to Filing Income Tax Return

First Time ITR Filing: Documents Required, Income Limit & How to File ITR for First Time

|Filing an ITR for the first time might confuse some people. However, the process has become simpler and easier due to the online medium.

In this article, we will discuss the entire process, providing clarity on the required documents, income limits, and step-by-step instructions for filing your ITR online.

Documents Required for First-Time ITR Filing

You need the following documents to file your ITR accurately:

Form 16: This is issued by your employer, detailing your salary income and the tax deducted at source (TDS).

Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS): These are tax credit statements that reflect all TDS and other taxes paid on your behalf.

Bank Statements: Required for reporting interest income and verifying transactions.

Salary Slips: Helps verify the salary details entered in the ITR form.

Investment Proofs: Receipts for tax-saving investments like LIC premiums, Public Provident Fund (PPF), and Equity-Linked Saving Scheme (ELSS).

House Rent Receipts or Rental Agreement: If you are claiming House Rent Allowance (HRA) exemption.

Home Loan Interest Certificate: If you have taken a home loan, this certificate will help claim deductions.

PAN and Aadhaar: Make sure that your PAN is linked with your Aadhaar for e-filing.

Other Income Proofs: If you have any capital gains statements, business income records, or other income-related documents

Income Limit for Filing ITR

If your income for the year exceeds the basic exemption limit, you are required to file your Income Tax Return (ITR). The basic exemption limit is as follows:

Old Regime

Below 60 years: Rs 2.5 lakh

60 years or older, but below 80 years: Rs 3 lakh

80 years or older: Rs 5 lakh

New Regime

Rs. 3 lakh irrespective of your age

If your income exceeds the basic exemption limit, then it’s time to file your ITR.

How to File ITR for the First Time Online?

You can follow the below-mentioned steps to file your ITR seamlessly for the first time:

Step 1: Register on the Income Tax e-Filing Portal

Visit the official Income Tax e-filing portal.

Click on ‘Register’.

Enter your PAN under ‘Register as taxpayer’ and validate it.

Fill in your personal details, such as name, gender, address, and contact information.

Verify and submit your details.

Enter the OTP sent to your registered email and mobile.

Set a password to complete your registration.

Step 2: Login and Start Filing

Log in using your PAN and password.

Click on ‘e-File’ and then select ‘File Income Tax Return’.

Select the Assessment Year (e.g., 2025-26).

Choose the mode of filing as ‘Online’.

Select the appropriate ITR form based on your income source. 

Which ITR Should I File? Types of ITR Forms for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)

ITR stands for Income Tax Return. Every taxpayer should furnish the income earned during the year through ITR forms applicable to him. Depending on the type and amount of income earned, different ITR forms become applicable for him. The department has notified ITR form 1 to 7

Income Tax Return (ITR) is a form in which the taxpayers file information about their income earned and tax applicable, to the income tax department.

 Every taxpayer should file his ITR on or before the specified due date. 

 For the Financial Year 2024–25 (Assessment Year 2025–26), the due date for non-audit taxpayers to file their ITR is now extended to 15th September 2025. Missing this deadline may result in interest charges under Section 234A and a late filing fee under Section 234F. However, if the deadline is missed, taxpayers can still file a belated return up to 31st December.

When is the Start Date to File ITR for FY 2024-25?

The ITR filing for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) has started from 30th May 2025. The ITR filing process typically begins on April 1st of the assessment year. Accordingly, for Financial Year 2024–25 (Assessment Year 2025–26), filing should have commenced on April 1, 2025. However, this year due to significant changes introduced in the ITR forms, additional time is required to update the filing utilities and implement necessary system enhancements. This has led to extended timelines for system development, integration, and testing. As a result, the ITR filing process is now expected to begin in June

Step 3: Fill the ITR Form

Review the pre-filled data (PAN, Aadhaar, bank details, TDS).

Enter your income details (salary, interest, other sources of income).

If applicable, claim deductions under Chapter VI-A (such as Section 80C, 80D, etc.).

Verify and confirm all details before proceeding.

Step 4: Submit and Verify

Submit the return online.

E-verify your ITR using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or other available methods.

Benefits of Filing ITR

The benefits of filing ITR are as follows:

Claim Tax Refund

Easy Loan Approval

Avoid interest and penalties

Avoid notices

Quick Visa Processing

Carry Forward Your Losses

The tax slab has to do with the income tax computation, as there are various slabs to be careful with different categories of income.

Income Tax Slab Rates for The F.Y. 2024-25 (A.Y. 2025-26) as per the Old Tax Regime

A Health & Education cess of 4% will be levied on the amount of income tax, plus a surcharge. The surcharge is levied at @10% where total income exceeds Rs 50 lakhs up to Rs 1 crore. A surcharge of 15% is applicable when the total income exceeds Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 2 Crore. A surcharge of 25% is applicable when the total income exceeds Rs. 2 crore to Rs. 5 Crore. A surcharge of 37% is applicable when the total income exceeds Rs. 5 crores.

Income Tax Slab Rates for The F.Y. 2024-25 as Per the New Tax Regime

The maximum Surcharge Rate of 37% is not applicable while opting for the New Tax Regime.

Some basic identity details like address, contact number, email ID, and bank account details, along with IFSC code and PAN, i.e. permanent account number, which is very much necessary for any tax process in India.

A health and education cess at the rate of 4% of the tax amount is levied.

After all this process, there comes a point where the proper income tax return form is to be identified. Generally, there are some forms which are classified in various cases, like:

a. ITR1 – Applicable to an individual having income from salary/one house property (not a case of brought forward loss) / other sources (not being lottery winnings and income from race horses) and (having income up to Rs.50 lakhs).

b. ITR2 – Applicable to Individuals/Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) not having income from business or profession

c. ITR3 -Applicable to an individual/ HUF having income from Business and Profession.

d. ITR4 -Applicable to individuals, HUFs and Firms who have opted for the presumptive income scheme under section 44AD,44ADA or section 44AE of the income tax act