Filing your Income Tax Returns (ITR) might seem tricky and something only Chartered Accountants (CAs) can handle. But that’s no longer true. Because of the Income Tax Department’s new and easy-to-use online portal, even if you’re doing it for the first time, you can file your ITR online without needing any help from a CA.
This is an easy step-by-step guide for How to File ITR Online Without Paying for CA in 2025 that will show how you can file ITR online without a CA. It will help you stay updated on tax filing on time, correctly, and without stress.
Why File ITR Yourself?
Filing your online income tax return by yourself, without a CA, comes with many benefits:
- You save money by not paying for consultation or service charges
- You stay aware of your finances in detail
- It’s quick and easy for salaried individuals or those with simple income sources
- It helps you become more focused with your money
With the right step-by-step approach, online income tax return filing has become much easier than ever.
Documents Required for ITR Filing FY 2024-25
Before you start filing your ITR without CA, make sure that you have these documents ready with your:
- PAN Card and Aadhaar Card
- Form 16, for salaried employee
- Form 26AS, you can download it from the income tax official website
- Annual Information Statement (AIS)
- Your bank account details
- Interest certificates from your savings account, fixed deposits
- Capital gain reports, if you’ve sold stocks, mutual funds, or any property
- Investment proof for availing deductions under Section 80C, Section 80D, and others
- Home loan statement, if you have taken a home loan
How to File ITR Online Without Paying for CA – Step-by-Step Guide
Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) online is now easier than you think, and you don’t need a CA for doing that for you. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Register or Login to the e-Filing Portal
- Go to the official income tax website: www.incometax.gov.in
- Click ‘Login’ or ‘Register’
- Use your PAN and the OTP sent to your mobile, which is linked with Aadhaar to login.
Step 2: Choose “File Income Tax Return”
- Go to e-File > Income Tax Return > File Income Tax Return
- Select the Assessment Year 2025-26 for total income earned in FY 2024-25
- Choose online mode, which is easier if you are not a CA
Step 3: Select the Appropriate ITR Form
select the appropriate ITR form that matches your income type:
- ITR-1 (Sahaj): It is used for salaried employees, who are earning up to ₹50 lakh
- ITR-2: It is used for capital gains or if you own more than one house
- ITR-3: It is used for business or professional income
- ITR-4 (Sugam): It is used for those using presumptive income method like freelancer
If you’re still not sure about which form to choose, use the “Help me decide” tool on the official portal.
Step 4: Prefill Your ITR Form
The system will auto-fill details using:
- Form 16, from your employer
- AIS (Annual Information Statement)
- Form 26AS for TDS details
Check every information you filled carefully like your salary, interest income, TDS, etc. If you’ve earned extra money like rent, freelance, or capital gains, add those information manually.
Step 5: Claim Deductions & Exemptions
Go to Deductions section of the portal and enter what you are eligible for:
- Section 80C: Used for investments like LIC, ELSS, PPF
- Section 80D: Used for medical insurance premiums
- Section 80G: Used for donations
- HRA, Home Loan Interest (Section 24), and others
These also help you reduce your taxable income.
Step 6: Calculate Total Tax & Pay If Applicable
If your total tax is more than the TDS paid already, then:
- Pay the remaining tax via e-Pay Tax on the portal
- Enter the challan number and payment details in your return carefully
Step 7: Verify All Details & Submit
- Check every filled detail again like your income, deductions, tax paid, etc.
- Make sure that your bank account is added correctly for refund purpose
- Click on the ‘Proceed to Verification’ and then finally submit it.
Step 8: E-Verify Your Return
Your return isn’t complete until it’s e-verified. You can do this in different ways:
- Applying Aadhaar OTP
- Via Net banking
- Using a Bank ATM, if bank allows
- Using Demat account
- Or by simply uploading a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).
Without the e-verifications, your ITR won’t be processed further.
Pro Tips to File ITR Without a CA
- Always match From 26AS and AIS with your Form 16 or bank statement to make sure everything adds up.
- File early, this helps avoid last-minute stress, website issues, or late fees.
- Double check for common mistakes like wrong PAN number, incorrect income details, and skipping e-verification.
- Keep both a digital and printed copy of your ITR-V for future use.
Common Mistake to Avoid
- Picking the wrong ITR form, which can delay or reject your income tax returns.
- Forgetting to include interest income from FDs or savings accounts.
- Not reporting gains from crypto or stocks.
- Ignoring small income from freelancing or side jobs.
- Skipping the final step, which is forgetting to e-verify the return.
Filing ITR without CA is possible, just stay careful and take your time.
Who Should File ITR Online?
You must file your online income tax return if:
- Your income is more than ₹2.5 lakh, for those under 60 years
- You have foreign assets or income
- You want to claim TDS refund
- You plan to carry forward losses
- You have earned from business, freelancing, or capital gains
Why You Should File ITR Even If You Have No Tax to Pay? the answer is because it is the smart move that will help you later in your financial journey. Even if your income is below the limit, filing ITR can help you with:
- Visa applications
- Loan approvals
- Claiming refunds
- Building a good financial history
Note: The last date to file ITR for most individuals, who don’t need an audit is July 31, 2025 and if you file after this, you may have to pay a fine of up to ₹5,000 under Section 234F.
Conclusion
Thanks to digitization, learning how to file ITR online is no longer confusing. Even without hiring a CA, you can file your return correctly and with confidence, which saves both time and money.
Just keep your documents ready, follow the steps on the official portal carefully, and double-check everything before submitting.
If your income is simple, filing ITR without a CA is completely doable for FY 2024-25.
FAQs
Can I file ITR without a CA if I’m salaried?
If you’re a salaried person with a simple income, you can easily file your ITR online using the official income tax portal.
Which ITR form should I use for salary income only?
You should use ITR-1 (Sahaj) if your total income is under ₹50 lakh and don’t have capital gains.
Is it mandatory to e-verify ITR after submitting it?
Yes, e-verification is a mandatory. Without e-verification, your returns won’t be accepted.
How do I pay extra tax if From 16 shows less TDS?
You can pay the extra amount using the e-pay Tax option available on the portal. After payment, enter the payment details in your ITR before submitting it.
What happens if I miss the ITR deadline for FY 2024-25?
Then you might have to pay a penalty of up to ₹5,000.