Tuesday 17 July 2012

Applicable ITR Forms for Different Categories of Assessees

Again, it is that point in time of the year when all your income for the current financial year is in and you need to file your income tax returns and tax planning in this period also gains a imperative significance. The due date to file your return of income for FY 2011-12 is 31st July 2012.

For FY 2011-12, filing of tax returns is essential if your income exceeds the following basic exemption limit -

• Individuals have taxable income exceeding Rs.180000 per annum
• Women have taxable income exceeding Rs.190000 per annum
• Senior Citizens have taxable income exceeding Rs.250000 per annum
• Businesses are compulsorily required to file their tax returns.

Further, while filing ITR the most common mistake which an assessee commits is choosing the incorrect form for filing income tax return. Various Income Tax return forms are notified by the IT department for filing income tax return.

Selecting a correct form is very essential for proper filing of income tax return.

The IT Department has released seven kinds of forms ( ITR 1, ITR 2, ITR 3, ITR 4, ITR 4S –Sugam, ITR 5, ITR 6 and ITR 7) for different categories of assesses.

ITR 1 (SAHAJ): This form can be used by Individuals who drive income from salary/pension or income from one house property (excluding where loss brought forward from previous year) or income from other sources (excluding winnings from lottery and income from horse races).

ITR 2: This form can be used by Individuals or a HUF whose total income comprises of incomes such as –
a. Income from Salary / Pension,
b. Income from House Property,
c. Income from Capital Gains,
d. Income from Other Sources,
e. Income from Winning of Lottery and
f. Income from Race Horses

Moreover, if the income of spouse, minor child, etc. is to be clubbed with the income of the assessee, then ITR 2 can be used if such income falls in any of the above categories.

ITR 3: Can be used by Individual/ HUF who is a partner in a firm and income is chargeable to income-tax under the head “Profits or Gains of Business or Profession” does not include any income except the income by way of any interest, salary, bonus, commission or remuneration, due to, or received by him from such firm.

ITR 4: This form is used by an Individual or HUF, carrying out a proprietary business or profession and who are not filing Return under Presumptive Taxation Scheme.

Moreover, every Partnership firms, Individuals & HUF having their tax audits compulsorily under section 44AB is required to file their ITR-4 electronically using digital signature.

ITR 4S (SUGAM): For presumptive Business Income an assessee needs to file his return using this Form.

ITR 5: For Partnership Firms and others not being an individual or a Hindu undivided family or a company or a person to which ITR – 7 applies and is applicable for all sources of Incomes.

ITR 6: This form is used by Companies other than companies claiming exemption under section 11.

ITR 7: This Form can be used by persons including companies who are required to furnish return under section 139(4A) or under section 139(4B) or under section 139(4C) or under section 139(4D) of Income Tax Act.

Thus, before filing the online tax returns it is obligatory in part of the assessee to prefer the accurate ITR Form based on their income. As the wrong assortment of the ITR Form may raise the probability of Rejection of the ITR by the department or delay in processing of ITR.

Join us in pursuit of simplifying individual taxation! We welcome you to Taxmantra.com for easy online tax return filing / income tax return filing!

This article has been taken from http://www.ideamarketers.com/?articleid=3403117&CFID=206436899&CFTOKEN=51270951

Thursday 12 July 2012

File Income Tax Return now to get processing faster

Month of July is the month to file Income Tax Return and every individuals must have received their Form 16 (Salary Certificate) and Form 16A (TDs certificates) of other Income. So, waiting for the last date to file Income tax return is not the smart way. File Income tax return earlier and get it processed faster.

We at Taxmantra.com always advise to file income tax return as early as possible to avoid incorrect filing of Income tax return instead of waiting for the due date to arrive. Here, we describe few key points relating to filing of Income Tax Return:

Legal Obligation to file Income tax return

Every individual whose taxable income during the year has exceeded the basic exemption limit is compulsorily required to file income tax return.

Collate the documents

Before filing Income Tax return, collate all income tax related documents like Form 16, Bank statements, Form 16A / TDS certificate; tax payment challan, Proof of Investments and Home Loan certificate.

Due date for filing Income Tax Return

Individuals who are not required to get their books of accounts audited - 31st July of the assessment year (Like for FY 2011-12 due date would be 31st July 2012).

Individuals who are required to get their books of accounts audited - 30th September of the assessment year (Like for FY 2011-12 due date would be 30th September 2012).

Consequences of Delay in Filing

Taxpayers filing income tax return after the due date should be aware of the consequences owing to delay in filing like interest u/s 234A is chargeable, business loss (Speculation or otherwise), capital loss (short term or long term) and loss due to owning and maintaining of race horses cannot be carry forwarded and even you discover any error on belated return filed, return cannot be revised.

Mode of Filing – Manual or Online

Income tax return can be filed online as well as manually. And in online mode, assesses have two option of filing, to file with digital signature or without digital signature.

Assessee should always prefer for online filing as it ensures faster processing of ITR and quick processing of refunds, if any.

Preserve Documents

Now the Income Tax Department does not accept any additional documents along with the return of income but, it doesn’t mean that no proofs are required for any investment and expenses as the Income Tax Officer may ask for the documents at the later stage to check the correctness of the claim made. Hence, it is always advised to preserve all the documents required to substantiate the online tax returns.

Join us in pursuit of simplifying individual taxation! We welcome you to Taxmantra.com for easy online tax return filing / income tax return filing!

This article has been taken from http://www.ideamarketers.com/?articleid=3393081&CFID=204484453&CFTOKEN=24023706