Introduction: Filing income tax returns (ITR) is a crucial responsibility for salaried individuals in India. The ITR-1 form is tailored for individuals with income from salary, pension, or interest. This step-by-step guide aims to assist salaried individuals in accurately and efficiently filing their ITR-1.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility: Ensure eligibility by having income from salary/pension, income from one house property (excluding losses brought forward), and income from other sources (excluding lottery winnings and racehorse income).

Step 2: Gather the Required Documents: Collect essential documents, including PAN, Aadhaar card, bank statements, Form 16 from your employer, and details of investments and deductible expenses.

Step 3: Register on the Income Tax e-Filing Portal: Visit the official Income Tax e-Filing portal and register if not done previously. Provide PAN, name, date of birth, and other necessary details to create an account.

Step 4: Fill in the ITR-1 Form: Accurately fill in personal information, income details, deductions, exemptions, and tax computation. Double-check for errors and ensure all required information is provided.

Step 5: Validate the Form: Validate the form to ensure it meets the required format and contains all necessary information. The validation process identifies errors or missing entries that need correction.

Step 6: Verify and Submit: Choose a verification method (Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or sending a signed physical copy) and follow the specific instructions. Verify within 30 days. For physical verification, send the ITR-V to the Centralized Processing Center (CPC).

Step 7: Confirmation and Acknowledgement: Receive an acknowledgement on the e-Filing portal after verification. This serves as proof of filing. Save it for future reference along with a copy of the filed ITR and relevant documents.

Conclusion: Filing ITR-1 is a systematic process that ensures compliance with tax regulations. By following this comprehensive guide, salaried individuals can navigate the steps seamlessly. Accurate information, proper validation, and timely verification contribute to a successful ITR-1 filing. Keeping a record of filed documents is essential for future reference and audit purposes.