Remember that sinking feeling when July rolls around and you realize your ITR is due? Last year, I was knee-deep in spreadsheets, cursing my forgotten Form 16, until I finally nailed the online process. Filed mine in under 30 minutes – and got a ₹12,000 refund the next month. Felt like winning a mini-lottery.
If you’re a salaried person with straightforward income (salary up to ₹50 lakh, maybe some interest or one house), ITR-1 (Sahaj) is your best friend for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26). It’s the simplest form, and with pre-filled data, it’s easier than ever in 2025.
Don’t worry if you’re new – I’ll walk you through it like we’re sitting across the table with coffee. By the end, you’ll have your return filed, verified, and maybe even a smile. (Pro tip: Do this before the rush; deadline is July 31, 2025, but extensions happen – last year it went to September 15.)
Who Can File ITR-1? (Quick Eligibility Check – If This Fits You, You’re Golden)
ITR-1 is for resident individuals (not NRIs) with:
- Total income ≤ ₹50 lakh
- Salary/pension as main source
- One house property (or none)
- Other sources like interest, family pension
- Agricultural income ≤ ₹5,000
- LTCG from equity u/s 112A ≤ ₹1.25 lakh
If you have business income, multiple houses, or capital gains beyond that? Switch to ITR-2. My rule: If your finances feel “simple” – go ITR-1.
Gather these first (takes 5 minutes):
- PAN, Aadhaar (linked)
- Form 16 from employer
- Form 26AS/AIS (TDS details – check on portal)
- Bank statements for interest
- Rent receipts if claiming HRA
Step-by-Step: Filing ITR-1 Online (Screenshots in Mind, But I’ll Paint the Picture)
The Income Tax e-filing portal is your hub – secure, free, and way better than 2024’s glitches. Log in at incometax.gov.in. No account? Register with PAN.
Step 1: Log In and Start Fresh
- Head to the homepage, click “Login.”
- Enter PAN as user ID, password (or OTP via Aadhaar).
- Boom – dashboard. Click “e-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return.” Feels official, right? I always take a deep breath here – it’s smoother than you think.
Step 2: Pick Your Year and Mode
- Select Assessment Year: 2025-26 (for FY 2024-25).
- Filing Mode: Online (easiest – pre-fills everything).
- Click “Continue.” New in 2025: New tax regime is default. Want old (for 80C deductions)? Opt out later – no biggie.
Step 3: Choose ITR-1 and Why You’re Filing
- Status: Individual (or HUF if that’s you).
- Select ITR-1 (Sahaj).
- Reason: “Filing under Section 139(1)” if on time, or “Belated” if late.
- Checkbox: Total income > basic exemption? Yes for most salaries over ₹3 lakh (new) or ₹2.5 lakh (old). Click “Continue” – system checks eligibility. If red flag, it’ll suggest another form.
Step 4: Let the Magic Happen – Download Pre-Filled Data
- Click “Prefill” or “Download Pre-Filled Data.”
- It’ll pull salary from Form 16, TDS from 26AS, interest from banks.
- Review: Does salary match your payslips? Tweak if employer goofed. My hack: I cross-check with last month’s bank credit – saved me from a ₹5,000 TDS mismatch once.
Step 5: Fill the Sections (Like Filling a Form, But Smarter) ITR-1 has 6 parts – pre-filled where possible. Edit as needed:
- Part A: General Info – Name, address, contact. Auto-fills from PAN. Add foreign travel? Tick if yes (for FCRA stuff).
- Part B: Gross Total Income –
- Salary: Enter from Form 16 (gross salary, allowances). Claim HRA? Add rent details.
- House Property: One house? Enter rent received or interest paid (up to ₹2 lakh).
- Other Sources: Bank FD interest, dividends – pull from AIS.
- LTCG u/s 112A: If any, up to ₹1.25 lakh tax-free. Example: My ₹8.5 lakh salary + ₹15,000 interest = ₹8.65 lakh gross. Deduct standard ₹75,000 (new regime).
- Part C: Deductions – New regime? Limited. Old? Go wild:
- 80C (ELSS, PPF up to ₹1.5 lakh)
- 80D (health insurance ₹25K-₹75K)
- Extra NPS ₹50K. I always max 80C – turned my ₹1.2 lakh investment into ₹36,000 tax save last year.
- Part D: Tax Computation – Auto-calculates slabs, rebate (₹60K new regime for <₹12L income), TDS credit.
- Part E: Other Details – Bank for refund (pre-filled), foreign assets (none for most).
- Part F: Verification – Tick “I verify” – no e-sign yet.
Preview everything – errors? Fix inline. Hit “Continue.”
Step 6: Compute Tax and Opt Regime
- Tax break-up shows: Your liability, TDS paid, refund/demand.
- Regime choice: Stick with new or switch to old? Compare on-screen – I switched once for ₹22,000 extra save.
- If demand >₹10K, pay via net-banking/challan. Click “Proceed to Summary.”
Step 7: Validate, Submit, and Breathe
- Summary page: Double-check totals.
- Validate: System flags mismatches (e.g., salary vs 26AS).
- Submit: E-sign with Aadhaar OTP or DSC. Done! You’ll get an ITR-V (acknowledgment) on email. Download from “e-File > ITR Status.”
Verification: The Final Boss (Do This Within 30 Days)
Can’t skip – or your return’s on hold. Options:
- Aadhaar OTP (easiest – instant).
- EVC via Bank (net-banking).
- Physical ITR-V – Print, sign, post to CPC Bangalore (old-school, but works).
I always go OTP – took 2 minutes last time. Track status under “My Account > ITR Status.”
Common Pitfalls I Learned the Hard Way (And How to Dodge Them)
- TDS Mismatch: Form 16 vs 26AS? Fix with employer. Happened to me – delayed refund by weeks.
- Regime Flip-Flop: New is default; switch only if deductions >₹3 lakh. Use our old vs new guide.
- Late Filing: ₹1,000-₹5,000 penalty. Belated till Dec 31, 2025.
- Pre-Fill Glitches: Refresh portal or use Excel utility if stuck (download from “Downloads”). One reader messaged post-filing: “Ram, your steps worked – got ₹8K back already!”
Your Quick Checklist (Print This, Tick Off)
- PAN/Aadhaar linked?
- Form 16 & 26AS downloaded?
- Pre-filled data reviewed?
- Deductions claimed (old regime)?
- Tax paid if due?
- Verified within 30 days?
Time estimate: 20-45 minutes first time. Reward yourself with ice cream – you earned it.
More ITR Guides on Quarterly News (Your Tax Sidekick)
- Section 80C Deductions for Salary Earners 2025-26
- Old vs New Tax Regime: Which Saves More on ₹10L Salary?
- How to Download Form 16 & 26AS Online 2025
- ITR Filing Deadlines & Penalties 2025-26
Stuck on a step? Drop your question in comments – I’ll reply personally. You’ve got this; one filed return closer to financial freedom.
Written & regularly updated by Ram Lodhi Finance Writer & Credit Specialist at Quarterly News Since 2017 I’ve filed hundreds of ITRs (mine, family, readers) – from panic-mode marathons to smooth 20-minute wins. These steps? Tested on the portal last week, with real refunds to prove it. Simple, honest, and straight from someone who’s been exactly where you are.
Last updated: November 22, 2025 (portal checks + latest CBDT extensions)
Sources (Official & Fresh – Click to Confirm)
- Income Tax Department – File ITR-1 Sahaj Online User Manual
- ClearTax – ITR-1 Filing Guide AY 2025-26
- IndiaFilings – ITR-1 Filing Steps AY 2025-26
- SagInfotech – File ITR-1 Online AY 2025-26
- TaxBuddy – ITR-1 for FY 2024-25
- Upstox – Step-by-Step ITR Filing AY 2025-26
- NDTV – ITR Filing Guide AY 2025-26
Quick FAQ (Your “What If” Moments)
Q: ITR-1 mein new regime default hai – old choose kaise karoon? A: In Part D, opt out during computation – compares both automatically.
Q: Refund kitne din mein aata hai? A: 20-45 days post-verification. Track in “Refund Status.”
Q: Belated filing ka penalty? A: ₹5,000 (₹1,000 if income ≤₹5L). File by Dec 31 to avoid worse.
Q: Foreign income hai toh ITR-1 chalega? A: No – go ITR-2. Keep it simple!
Disclaimer This is helpful guidance based on rules as of November 22, 2025 – but portals update, so verify on incometax.gov.in. Not tax advice; consult a CA for complex cases. File on time, stay stress-free!