ITR Filing 2025: No Need for a CA! File Your Income Tax Return from Home — Here’s the Full Step-by-Step Guide

By Siddhi Jain | Jul 15, 2025, 18:21 IST

Gone are the days when filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) meant relying on a chartered accountant (CA) or a tax expert. With simplified online processes and pre-filled data, filing your ITR in 2025 is easier than ever — especially for salaried individuals or those with straightforward incomes.

Whether you're a first-time filer or a regular taxpayer, here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you file your income tax return from home without paying any fees.

Before You Begin: Collect All Essential Documents

To avoid errors or delays in processing, start by gathering the following documents:

PAN Card and Aadhaar Card
Form 16 (for salaried individuals)
Bank interest certificates
Form 26AS and AIS (Annual Information Statement)
Proof of deductions under sections 80C, 80D, etc.

These documents form the foundation of your return and are crucial for accurate reporting of income, tax paid, and deduction claims.

Step 1: Choose the Right ITR Form

Selecting the correct ITR form is the most critical step. Filing the wrong form can result in rejection or a notice from the Income Tax Department.

ITR-1 (Sahaj) is suitable for salaried individuals with income from a single employer, no business income, and capital gains less than ₹1.2 lakh.
If you have capital gains, foreign income, or business income, use ITR-2 or ITR-3 depending on your profile.

You can check your eligibility for different ITR forms on the official e-filing portal.

Step 2: Log in or Register on the Income Tax Portal

Visit the official website: https://www.incometax.gov.in

Log in using your PAN, which also serves as your User ID.
First-time filers must complete the registration process.
After logging in, go to the “File Income Tax Return” section.
Select Assessment Year 2025–26 (for income earned in FY 2024–25).
Choose between the Online mode (recommended) or download the offline utility.

Step 3: Review Your Pre-filled ITR Form

The system auto-fills important details like salary, TDS, and bank interest based on Form 26AS and AIS. However, don’t submit without verifying:

Ensure your Form 16 matches the salary and TDS figures shown.
Check if bank interest, dividends, rental income, or capital gains have been included.
Manually add any missing income before submission.

You can also edit any pre-filled section if the figures are incorrect or outdated.

Step 4: Claim Deductions and Review Tax Liability

If certain deductions aren’t reflected in your Form 16, you can still claim them:

Section 80C: LIC, PPF, ELSS, etc.
Section 80D: Health insurance premiums
HRA, home loan interest, education loans, and more

The portal will automatically calculate your tax liability or refund based on your declarations. If any tax is due, make the payment before final submission.

Step 5: Submit and E-Verify Your Return

After filling in all the details, click on 'Submit' — but you're not done yet!

You must e-verify your ITR within 30 days to complete the process.
Choose from Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, Demat account, or ATM-based verification methods.
After successful e-verification, download a copy of your ITR-V acknowledgment for your records.

Tips for Hassle-Free ITR Filing

You don’t need a CA if your income is straightforward.
Filing your own return is secure, cost-effective, and quicker.
Avoid filing at the last minute — it allows time for revisions if needed.
Always double-check the ITR form selection and document accuracy.

Final Thoughts

Thanks to digitization, income tax filing in India has become more accessible than ever. The pre-filled ITR forms, user-friendly portal, and online verification options mean you can take charge of your tax filing without professional help — and avoid paying unnecessary fees.

If you’re salaried or have simple income sources, filing your ITR from home is not only possible — it's smart, safe, and surprisingly simple.