Income Tax Department of India provides free downloadable utility software for various Income Tax Return (ITR) forms. These utility software programs are designed to help taxpayers prepare their tax returns offline before uploading them to the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
Steps to download utility software from the Income Tax Portal:
- Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal:
Go to the official Income Tax e-Filing portal: https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.
- Login to Your Account:
Log in using your valid credentials (User ID, Password, and Captcha).
- Navigate to ‘Downloads’ Section:
Once logged in, go to the ‘Downloads’ section. You can usually find this in the main menu.
- Select the Appropriate Assessment Year and ITR Form:
Choose the Assessment Year (AY) for which you want to file the return. Then, select the relevant ITR form you need.
- Choose the Utility and Platform:
There may be multiple utility options available for each ITR form (Excel, Java, etc.) and for different platforms (Windows, Mac, etc.). Choose the one that is compatible with your system.
- Download the Utility:
Click on the download link provided for the selected utility. This will initiate the download process.
- Install and Run the Utility:
Once downloaded, install the utility software on your computer following the on-screen instructions.
- Open the Utility and Fill in Details:
Launch the utility software and start filling in the relevant details for your income, deductions, and other financial information. The utility usually provides a user-friendly interface to input the data.
- Save the Filled Form Locally:
Save the filled ITR form locally on your computer. This allows you to make changes or revisions before final submission.
- Validate the Form:
Use the validation feature within the utility to check for any errors or discrepancies in the data you’ve entered.
- Generate XML File:
Once you’ve filled in all the necessary details and validated the form, use the utility to generate an XML file.
- Log in to the e-Filing Portal:
Go back to the Income Tax e-Filing portal and log in with your credentials.
- Upload the XML File:
In the portal, navigate to the ‘Upload Return’ section and select the XML file generated by the utility. Upload it to the portal.
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Complete the Process on the Portal:
Follow the prompts on the portal to complete the filing process, including verifying your return (if applicable).