How to File ITR-1 Online in 2025 – Step by Step Guide

How to File ITR-1 Online in 2025 – Step by Step Guide

ITR-1, also known as Sahaj, is the most widely used income tax return form in India. If you are a salaried individual with total income up to Rs 50 lakh, this guide will walk you through the complete process of filing ITR-1 online for AY 2025-26.

Who Can File ITR-1 (Sahaj)?

ITR-1 is applicable to resident individuals whose total income does not exceed Rs 50 lakh and whose income sources include:

• Salary or pension income
• Income from one house property (not a case of brought-forward or carry-forward loss)
• Other sources like interest from savings accounts, fixed deposits, and family pension
• Agricultural income up to Rs 5,000

Who Cannot File ITR-1?

You cannot use ITR-1 if you:

• Have income from capital gains (short-term or long-term)
• Have income from business or profession
• Own more than one house property
• Are a director in a company
• Hold unlisted equity shares at any time during the financial year
• Have assets or financial interest outside India
• Have total income exceeding Rs 50 lakh

Documents Required for ITR-1 Filing

Before you begin filing, gather the following documents:

1. Form 16 – Issued by your employer with salary and TDS details
2. Form 26AS / AIS – Tax credit statement from the income tax portal
3. Bank statements – For interest income from savings accounts and FDs
4. Investment proofs – For claiming deductions under Section 80C, 80D, etc.
5. Aadhaar and PAN – Linked and active
6. Home loan certificate – If claiming deduction under Section 24(b)

Step-by-Step Process to File ITR-1 Online

Step 1: Log in to the Income Tax Portal

Visit incometax.gov.in and log in using your PAN number and password. If you are a first-time user, register on the portal first.

Step 2: Navigate to e-File

Go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return. Select the assessment year as AY 2025-26 and choose ITR-1 as your form type.

Step 3: Choose Filing Mode

Select Online as your filing mode. You can also download the JSON utility for offline filing if your internet connectivity is limited.

Step 4: Download Prefilled Data

The portal auto-populates data from your Form 26AS and AIS. Click Prefill & Pre-validate to load your salary, TDS, and interest income details. Verify all prefilled amounts against your Form 16.

Step 5: Fill in Personal Information

Verify your name, date of birth, Aadhaar number, address, and bank account details. Ensure your primary bank account is pre-validated for receiving refunds.

Step 6: Enter Income Details

Enter your gross salary, deductions claimed under Section 16, income from house property, and other income. The form will auto-calculate your total income.

Step 7: Claim Deductions

Under the deductions tab, enter amounts for:

• Section 80C – PPF, ELSS, LIC, home loan principal (up to Rs 1.5 lakh)
• Section 80D – Health insurance premiums
• Section 80TTA/80TTB – Savings account interest deduction
• Section 24(b) – Home loan interest

Step 8: Compute Tax and Verify

The portal calculates your total tax liability after deductions and compares it against TDS already paid. If excess TDS was deducted, you will see a refund. If there is a shortfall, you will need to pay self-assessment tax before filing.

Step 9: Pay Self-Assessment Tax (if applicable)

If tax is due, pay through Challan 280 on the portal under e-Pay Tax. Enter the BSR code and challan details in your return.

Step 10: Submit and e-Verify

Review all details and click Submit. After submission, e-verify your return using one of these methods:

• Aadhaar OTP (most popular and instant)
• Net banking
• Bank account EVC
• Demat account EVC
• Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Once e-verified, your return is successfully filed. You will receive a confirmation with an acknowledgment number.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not verifying Form 26AS against Form 16 – mismatches lead to notices
• Forgetting to report savings account interest income
• Not linking PAN with Aadhaar before filing
• Selecting the wrong assessment year
• Not e-verifying within 30 days of filing

File ITR-1 Easily with FileWithUs.ai

Filing ITR-1 manually can be time-consuming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the portal. FileWithUs.ai simplifies the entire process with guided filing, auto-population of data, and real-time error checks. Our platform helps you file your return accurately in minutes, ensuring you claim all eligible deductions and avoid common errors.

Start filing your ITR-1 today and stay compliant with ease.