How to decide which ITR Form I need to file to avoid income Tax Notice
CA Pratibha Goyal | May 5, 2025 |
In this article, we have discussed which income tax return (ITR) form one is required to choose at the time of filing the Return of Income Tax for the financial year 2024-25.
Choosing the correct ITR form is very important. An incorrect ITR Form can leave your ITR filing defective and invite an income tax notice.
Return Form ITR – 1 (SAHAJ) can be used by an individual having Income from Salaries, one house property, other sources (Interest etc.) and having total income upto Rs.50 lakh and whose total income includes:
(1) Income from salary/pension; or
(2) Income from one house property (excluding cases where loss is brought forward from previous years); or
(3) Income from other sources (excluding winnings from lottery and income from race horses, income taxable under section 115BBDA or Income of the nature referred to in section 115BBE).
(4) Income from Long Term Capital Gain under section 112A up to Rs. 1.25 Lakhs
Further, in a case where the income of another person like spouse, minor child, etc., is to be clubbed with the income of the taxpayer, this return form can be used only when such income falls in any of the above categories.
Form ITR – 2 can be used by an individual and Hindu Undivided Family who is not eligible to fileITR-1 Sahaj and not having income from “profit and gains of business or profession” and also not having income from “Profits and gains of business or profession” in the nature of interest, salary, bonus, commission or remuneration, by whatever name called, due to, or received by him from a partnership firm.
Further, in case where the income of another person like spouse, minor child, etc., is to be clubbed with the income of the taxpayer, this Return Form can be used if income to be clubbed falls in any of the above categories.
Who cannot use ITR – 2?
Form ITR – 2 cannot be used by an individual and HUF whose total income for the year includes income from profit and gains from business or profession and also having income in the nature of interest, salary, bonus, commission or remuneration, by whatever name called, due to, or received by him from partnership firm
Form ITR – 3 can be used by an individual or a Hindu Undivided Family who is having income from profits and gains of business or profession.ITR – 3 is also required to be filed by a person whose income is chargeable to tax under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession” is in the nature of interest, salary, bonus, commission or remuneration, by whatever name called, due to, or received by him from a partnership firm.
Who cannot use ITR – 3?
Form ITR – 3 cannot be used by any person other than an individual or a HUF. Further, an individual or a HUF not having income from business or profession cannot use ITR – 3.
Form ITR – 4 (SUGAM) can be used by an Individual/HUF/Firm (Other than LLP) whose total income for the year includes:
(a) Business income computed as per the provisions of section 44AD or 44AE; or;
(b) Income from Profession as computed as per the provisions of 44ADA; or
(c) Income from salary/pension; or
(d) Income from one house property (excluding cases where loss is brought forward from previous years); or
(e) Income from other sources (excluding winnings from lottery and income from race horses, dividend income in excess of Rs. 10 lakhs or unexplained Income, etc. as referred to in section 115BBE)
(f) Income from Long Term Capital Gain under section 112A up to Rs. 1.25 Lakhs
Further, in a case where the income of another person like spouse, minor child, etc., is to be clubbed with the income of the taxpayer, this return form can be used where income to be clubbed falls in any of the above categories.
Form ITR – 4 (SUGAM) cannot be used by an individual/HUF:
In case the assessee keeps and maintains all books of accounts and other documents referred to in section 44AA, and also gets his accounts audited and obtains an audit report as per section 44AB, filling up the Form ITR – 4 (SUGAM) is not mandatory. In such a case, other regular return forms viz. Form ITR – 3 or Form ITR – 5, as applicable, should be used.
Who can use ITR – 5?
Form ITR – 5 can be used by a person being a firm, LLP, AOP, BOI, Artificial Juridical Person (AJP) referred to in section 2(31)(vii), local authority referred to in section 2(31)(vi), representative assessee referred to in section 160(1)(iii) or (iv), cooperative society, society registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 or under any other law of any State, trust other than trusts eligible to file Form ITR – 7, estate of deceased person, estate of an insolvent, business trust referred to in section 139(4E) and investments fund referred to in section 139(4F).
Who cannot use ITR – 5?
Form ITR – 5 cannot be used by, a person who is required to file the return of income under section 139(4A) or 139(4B) or 139(4C) or139(4D) (i.e., trusts, political party, institutions, colleges).
Who can use ITR – 6?
Form ITR – 6 can be used by a company, other than a company claiming exemption under section 11 (charitable/religious trust can claim exemption under section 11).
Who cannot use ITR – 6?
Form ITR – 6 cannot be used by a company claiming exemption under section 11 (charitable/religious trust can claim exemption under section 11).
Who can use ITR – 7?
Form ITR – 7 can be used by persons including companies who are required to furnish return under section 139(4A) or section 139(4B) or section 139(4C) or section 139(4D) (i.e., trusts, political party, institutions, colleges).
Who cannot use ITR – 7?
Form ITR – 7 cannot be used by a person who is not required to furnish return under section 139(4A) or section 139(4B) or section 139(4C) or section 139(4D) (i.e., trusts, political party, institutions, colleges).
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