Income Tax Return is a form through which taxpayers disclose their income and assets to the Income Tax Department of India. All taxpayers must file their ITR before the due date specified by the department each year. The tax paid by taxpayers depends on the category they fall under – based on their employment type, direct and passive income sources, investments, etc.
There are seven different types of ITR forms available to Indian taxpayers. These forms cater to individual taxpayers and organisations. The type of ITR form you must use will depend on whether you are an individual taxpayer or an organisation, your total income, as well as the sources of your income. Here is a list of 7 types of ITR forms:
1. ITR-1 or Sahaj
Individuals who fall under the following categories, should opt for ITR-1 form (also known as Sahaj).
- Salary and pension earners
- Income earned from other sources (except winning a lottery or horse racing)
- Agricultural income less than Rs.5,000
- Payments received for a single house property with certain exclusions
2. ITR-2
Individuals and Hindu United Families (HUF) who fall under the following categories, should opt for ITR-2 form.
- Income exceeding Rs.50 Lakh
- Income received through salary, pensions, capital gains and other sources
- Income generated from foreign assets
- Agricultural income exceeding Rs.5,000
3. ITR-3
Individuals and Hindu United Families who fall under the following categories, should opt for ITR-3 form.
- Income from a business or profession
- Income received from being a partner in a firm
- Income received through salary, pension, capital gains and other sources
- Investments in unlisted equity shares
- Individual director in a company
4. ITR-4 or Sugam
Individuals, Hindu United Families, and firms with an income up to Rs.50 lakh from businesses or a profession can opt for ITR 4 form. Moreover, those who have chosen the presumptive income scheme under Section 44AD, Section 44ADA and Section 44AE of the Income Tax Act are eligible to file their returns using the ITR 4 form.
5. ITR-5
The ITR-5 form is meant for firms, Body of Individuals, co-operative societies, Limited Liability Partnerships, Association of Persons, local authorities, Artificial Judicial Persons, estate of insolvent, estate of deceased, and business trusts (not individual citizens).
6. ITR-6
The ITR-6 form is to be filed electronically by companies, except for those that claim an exemption under Section 11, which is income from a religious or charitable property.
7. ITR-7
Companies filing their return under below sections of the Income Tax Act can use ITR-7:
Section 139(4A): Individuals holding a property for charitable or religious purposes.
Section 139(4B):  Political parties and affiliates.
Section 139(4C):  Institutions or associations such as medical institutions, news agencies and establishments, educational institutions, think tanks, and agencies involved in scientific research.
Section 139(4D):  Colleges and universities, or other institution where revenue and losses are not required to be reported as per the rules laid under this section of the Act.
Aspiring Home Loan borrowers must familiarise themselves with the Indian tax norms and fill the right ITR form, as lenders require borrowers to submit their income tax returns while availing of a Home Loan. The ITR form serves as an income proof and establishes their sources of income. This allows the lender to assess a borrower's creditworthiness.
Individuals who plan on filing an ITR for their Home Loan must select the ITR-1 form (also known as the SAHAJ form). It applies to salaried and professional borrowers repaying their Home Loans for a self-occupied property.
The form allows you to claim the Home Loan tax benefit of up to Rs.1.5 Lakh on the principal repayment, stamp duty and registration charges. One can also be eligible for deductions worth Rs.2 Lakhs on interest repaid annually under Section 24. 
Also Read: Tax Deductions Under Section 24 on Home Loan
The process to file your income tax returns on Home Loan is straightforward and easy to follow. The process can be completed through the following steps:
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Visit the e-filing portal
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Login with your credentials or register yourself if you are a new user
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Click on the ‘e-File’ tab and select ‘File Income Tax Return’ from the drop-down menu
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Choose the year you wish to file the ITR for, and then click on continue
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Select your profile – individual, HUF, or others
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Now select the type of ITR form you wish to opt for (ITR-1 form, in the case of Home Loans)
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Enter your bank account details or validate the existing details
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At the final stage, you will be redirected to a new page
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Enter/check all your personal and other details mentioned on this page
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Confirm the summary and click on submit
If you wish to download your ITR-V form or the Income Tax Return Verification form, which the Income Tax Department releases as proof of an individual's e-Filing, follow these simple steps.
- Visit the official website of the Income Tax Department and log in to your account
- Once you log in, click on 'View Returns/Forms'
- Next, click on the acknowledgement number of the form you wish to download
- If you wish to verify your ITR-V, click on 'Click here to view your returns pending for e-verification'
- Click on ITR-V/Acknowledgement and the downloading process will be initiated
- Once the document has been downloaded, you will be required to enter your PAN, along with your date of birth as a password to open the document
- Sign the downloaded document and send it to CPC Bangalore to complete the ITR verification process
*Terms and conditions apply
Also Read: Tax Benefits on Second Home Loan
