Freelancer ITR: ITR-3 vs ITR-4, and Section 58 (old 44ADA)

Freelancers and independent professionals have two ITR routes. ITR-4 with Section 58, Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 44ADA; presumptive): declare 50% of gross receipts as income, pay tax on that, file a simple return, no books of accounts needed. ITR-3 with actual books: claim all real expenses, potentially lower taxable income but requires proper accounting. The choice saves or costs ₹50,000-₹2,00,000 per year depending on actual expense ratio.

Sec 58 (old Sec 44ADA) vs actual books, the calculation: Gross receipts ₹18L/year. Actual expenses: laptop ₹1.2L, internet ₹36K, software ₹60K, travel ₹80K, co-working ₹1.2L. Total actual expenses ₹3.96L. Actual profit = ₹18L − ₹3.96L = ₹14.04L. Under Sec 58 (old Sec 44ADA): taxable income = 50% × ₹18L = ₹9L. Tax on ₹9L vs ₹14.04L = significant difference. Sec 58 (old Sec 44ADA) gives ₹9L taxable income. Actual gives ₹14.04L. Sec 58 (old Sec 44ADA) WINS here, even with expenses, actual income is higher than 50%. Always compute both. When actual books (ITR-3) wins: If your real expenses are > 50% of receipts: ITR-3 with actual books gives lower taxable income. Example: receipt ₹20L, actual expenses ₹12L → profit ₹8L. Sec 58 (old Sec 44ADA): 50% × ₹20L = ₹10L taxable. ITR-3 actual: ₹8L taxable. ITR-3 wins. Break-even: if expenses > 50% of receipts → go actual. If expenses < 50% → Sec 58 (old Sec 44ADA) wins (simpler too). Who qualifies for Sec 58 (old Sec 44ADA): "Specified profession" list is exhaustive.