ITR AY 2026-27: 3 Ways to File — Which Saves You Most?
You don't have to file your income tax return alone. The Income Tax Department officially recognises three types of helpers — CAs, ERIs, and Authorised Representatives. Knowing which one suits you can save time, money, and stress this July.
A CA's ITR fee can equal 10 days of your morning chai budget — yet most Indians overpay without knowing the cheaper legal options.
What a CA typically charges you for ITR filing this season
Key Takeaways
Compare your options: use a free ERI app (like ClearTax or myITreturn) for simple salaried returns, hire a CA only if you have capital gains, house property, or business income.
Before handing over your PAN and Aadhaar to any 'tax helper', verify their registration on the official Income Tax portal at incometax.gov.in under the ERI or CA search section.
If using a CA or Authorised Representative, formally add them as your 'representative assessee' on the e-filing portal under My Account > Authorised Representatives to keep your filing legally compliant.
You don't have to file your income tax return alone. The Income Tax Department officially recognises three types of helpers — CAs, ERIs, and Authorised Representatives. Knowing which one suits you can save time, money, and stress this July.
Here's what happened: AY 2026-27 ITR filing is open and the deadline for salaried individuals is July 31, 2026, with no extension announced yet.. The Income Tax e-filing portal officially allows three categories of assisted filing: Chartered Accountants (CAs), e-Return Intermediaries (ERIs), and Authorised Representatives.. ERIs are NSDL or UTIITSL-registered tech platforms and fintech apps legally authorised to prepare and submit your ITR on your behalf..
What you should do: Compare your options: use a free ERI app (like ClearTax or myITreturn) for simple salaried returns, hire a CA only if you have capital gains, house property, or business income.. Before handing over your PAN and Aadhaar to any 'tax helper', verify their registration on the official Income Tax portal at incometax.gov.in under the ERI or CA search section.. If using a CA or Authorised Representative, formally add them as your 'representative assessee' on the e-filing portal under My Account > Authorised Representatives to keep your filing legally compliant..
ERIs file millions of returns at near-zero cost — many offer free filing for income under ₹50 lakh with only salary income. Switch from a paid CA if your taxes are straightforward.
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- [1]“ITR filing AY 2026-27: Who can assist with your ITR filing? A guide to CAs, ERIs, and Authorized Representatives” mint - money · 5 Jul 2026
This article is reported by GoCredit's Editorial Team based on the source above. GoCredit synthesises, contextualises, and adds India-borrower-relevant analysis. We are not the original publisher.