ITR Filing 2024-25: Major updates of Income Tax Portal that Every Taxpayer Must Know:

ITR Filing 2024-25: Major updates of Income Tax Portal that Every Taxpayer Must Know The Income Tax E-Filing Portal by India's Income Tax Department is the official platform which aims to provide taxpayers and stakeholders with single-window access to all income tax-related services and more. The Income Tax Department has introduced major changes in the Income Tax Portal. The following are the main objectives to update the income tax portal:

• To Enhance User Experience
• Simple and easy to use
• Faster ITR Processing and Refunds
• Improved Security Features
• Multiple options for tax payments and more

The following are the key changes introduced in the Income Tax Department Portal: 1. The Excel Utility for ITR-5 for AY 2025-26 is Live: The Income Tax Department has released an Excel tool to help taxpayers fill out ITR-5 for the Assessment Year 2025-26. Taxpayers can easily download this tool and prepare the return offline and then upload it to the portal. 2. Now Taxpayers can file ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3, and ITR-4 Both Online and Offline Previously, Income Tax Return (ITR) forms were only available to be filed online. But now taxpayers can file the main forms not just online but also using offline Excel utilities and this makes it more flexible and user-friendly. Taxpayers have two choices:

• Online Mode: Fill and submit directly on the portal
• Offline Mode: Download the utility, fill in your details offline, then upload.

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3. Excel Utilities for Updated Returns (ITR-U) of ITR-1 and ITR-2 for AY 2021-22 and 2022-23 Are Available If taxpayers want to update or correct their previously filed returns for AY 2021-22 or 2022-23, taxpayers can now use updated Excel utilities based on the latest Finance Act 2025. This helps taxpayers correct errors or add missing info easily. 4. Tax Audit forms 3CA-3CD and 3CB-3CD Are now enabled in the portal with latest Changes: Audit-related forms used by professionals to report audit details are now available for filing online with the latest changes notified by the government. This helps taxpayers as well as auditors to submit these forms smoothly through the portal. 5. Taxpayers with Notices Under Section 158BC Can Submit Form ITR-B Online: If taxpayers received a special notice from the tax department under Section 158BC which relates to reassessment or special investigations, taxpayers can now file Form ITR-B, a special return, directly through a new "e-proceeding" tab on the portal. earlier it was not available.

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6. Payment of Taxes for Block Assessment Is Now Enabled on Portal: If a taxpayer's case is under Block Assessment, they can now pay any taxes due directly on the portal.

• After logging in: Go to e-file > e-Pay Tax > New Payment > Self-Assessment Tax for Block Assessment.
• Before logging in: Quick Links > e-Pay Tax > Self-Assessment Tax for Block Assessment.

7. Extended Due Date for Filing ITRs for AY 2025-26 The deadline to file Income Tax Returns that were originally due by July 31, 2025, has now been extended to September 15, 2025. The extended due date will help taxpayers to complete their filing without penalties.