By BillCut
Last updated: 3 November 2026
Efiling of income tax means submitting your income tax return online through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal at incometax.gov.in. You register once, log in, choose the right ITR form, fill it in, submit it and then e-verify it. This guide explains each stage in outline.
What is e-filing of income tax?
E-filing is the online route for filing a return. The official e-filing portal home page shows Register and Login links, and lists the ITR forms that can be filed online or offline. Anyone with a tax return to file can use it, and there is no need to visit an office.
How do I register on the portal?
The portal has a Register option in its header. If you do not have an account, start there. If you already have one, use Login. The portal pages say nothing more about the identifiers needed on that page, so follow the on-screen prompts and keep your PAN and Aadhaar details ready.
Which ITR form should I use?
The portal lists ITR-1 to ITR-7. The right form depends on your income sources and type of taxpayer. The Income Tax Department publishes a page for salaried individuals on the applicable ITR form. The same page explains that Form 26AS and the AIS can be viewed after you log in.
| Item | Where on the portal |
|---|---|
| Form 26AS | Login, then e-File, Income Tax Return, View Form 26AS |
| AIS | Login, then the AIS link |
| ITR forms | Home page, file return section |
What are the steps to file the return?
The department has a page titled guidance to file a tax return. It links to user manuals and FAQs for ITR-1 and ITR-4. In outline, the steps look like this.
- Log in to your account on the portal.
- Check your income details against Form 26AS and the AIS.
- Choose the assessment year and the correct ITR form.
- Fill in income, deductions and tax paid, or use any details the portal pre-fills.
- Review the summary, then submit the return.
- E-verify the return.
Always read the latest user manual for your form, because forms and rules can change from year to year. For a comparison of tools people use alongside the portal, see our post on apps to file ITR in India.
How do I e-verify my return?
Filing is not complete until you verify. The Income Tax Department’s e-verify FAQ lists these ways to e-verify.
- An OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number
- An EVC generated from a pre-validated bank account or demat account
- An EVC through an ATM, which is an offline method
- Net banking
- A Digital Signature Certificate
The time limit is 30 days from the date of filing, under Notification No. 5/2022 effective 1 August 2022. If you do not verify in time, the return is treated as not filed. You may request condonation of delay with a valid reason, but the return is valid only after the authority approves that request.
What should I keep ready before filing?
- Your PAN and a working login on the portal
- Income proofs such as salary slips and interest statements
- Form 26AS and AIS to cross check the figures
- A bank account that is pre-validated on the portal, for any refund
Pre-validation of the bank account is described as compulsory on the portal’s refund help page. For more on the basics, you can also read our guide to filing income tax online in India. Linking PAN and Aadhaar also matters, and our post on how to link Aadhaar with PAN online covers the idea in plain words.
What if I owe tax or have loan EMIs to manage?
Paying tax dues can strain a monthly budget, especially when you already have card balances or EMIs. Compare your options calmly before you borrow more to pay a tax bill. Check your options with BillCut
How BillCut can help
BillCut is a balance transfer and debt reduction platform. It works with lending partners to help eligible borrowers move high interest dues, such as credit card balances and personal loan EMIs, into one structured EMI. BillCut earns from helping borrowers refinance, so it has an interest in this option. Approval and terms depend on the partner lender.
Frequently asked questions
What is efiling of income tax?
It is filing your income tax return online on the official portal at incometax.gov.in instead of on paper.
Is registration needed to e-file?
Yes. The portal has a Register option for new users and a Login option for existing ones.
How long do I have to e-verify my return?
The e-verify FAQ on the portal states 30 days from the date of filing for returns filed from 1 August 2022.
What happens if I do not e-verify?
The portal states that the return is treated as not filed, though you may request condonation of delay with a valid reason.
How can I e-verify?
Options listed include Aadhaar OTP, EVC from a pre-validated bank or demat account, EVC through ATM, net banking and a Digital Signature Certificate.
Where can I see Form 26AS and AIS?
After you log in to the portal. Form 26AS is under e-File, Income Tax Return, View Form 26AS, and AIS has its own link after login.
Does BillCut file income tax returns?
No. BillCut is a balance transfer and debt reduction platform. It does not file returns or give tax advice.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not tax, legal or investment advice. Rules and forms change, so check the official portal or speak to a qualified tax professional before you file.
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