How to File Your ITR Online: Step by Step

By the MyTaxLocker Team · Updated 11 June 2026

The actual filing happens on the government's e-filing portal — but most of the work is the preparation. Here's the whole flow, end to end, so nothing surprises you.

1. Gather your documents

Keep these handy: your Form 16, Form 26AS and AIS, bank account details (for refunds), and proofs for any deductions you'll claim (80C, 80D, home-loan interest, rent receipts).

2. Pick the right ITR form

Salaried with simple income usually means ITR-1; presumptive business or profession means ITR-4. See ITR-1 vs ITR-4. Capital gains or other complex income may require ITR-2 or ITR-3.

3. Choose your tax regime

Decide between the Old and New regime by comparing your tax under each — don't guess.

4. Prepare the return

You can fill the return directly on the portal, use the government's offline utility, or prepare a ready-to-upload JSON and import it. This is where MyTaxLocker fits: it reads your Form 16 and produces a ready-to-upload ITR-1/ITR-4 JSON.

5. Log in and submit on the portal

Sign in at the official e-filing portal with your PAN, then upload/submit your prepared return for the correct assessment year.

6. Pay any balance tax

If tax is still due after TDS and advance tax, pay the self-assessment tax before submitting, so there's no shortfall or 234B/234C interest.

7. E-verify — the step people forget

A return isn't complete until it's e-verified (via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, etc.) within the prescribed window. Skip this, and the return is treated as if it were never filed.