ITR-1 Filing 2025: 5 Steps to File Your Return

If you are a salaried employee earning up to ₹50 lakh, ITR-1 is your form. The government's e-filing portal makes it simple — here's exactly how to get it done before the July 31 deadline.

Here's what happened: ITR-1, also called Sahaj, is the simplest income tax return form meant for salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh from salary, one house property, and other sources like interest.. The Income Tax Department's e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) now pre-fills most ITR-1 data automatically using your Form 16, AIS, and 26AS — reducing manual entry significantly.. The deadline to file ITR for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) without a late fee is July 31, 2025; missing it attracts a penalty of up to ₹5,000 and loss of certain deductions..

What you should do: Log in to incometax.gov.in using your PAN and Aadhaar-linked mobile OTP, navigate to e-File > Income Tax Returns > File ITR, and select AY 2025-26 and ITR-1.. Download your Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS) from the portal first — cross-check pre-filled salary, TDS, and interest income figures before accepting them.. Declare all deductions you are claiming — Section 80C (PPF, ELSS, LIC), 80D (health insurance premium), and HRA exemption — then verify and e-verify using Aadhaar OTP to complete filing..

If your pre-filled AIS shows income you don't recognise, don't ignore it — file a correction request on the portal before submitting, or the tax department may send you a notice later.