TaxSavvy

Tax planning

Income tax return for salaried and pensioners, ITR-1 (Sahaj)

  • If you earn a salary or pension and have simple other income, you file ITR-1 every year.
  • Deadline: Due 31 July of the assessment year (31 July 2026 for AY 2026-27, now passed). After that, a belated return up to 31 December 2026 (see ITR-COR-01).
  • Done in 1 working day after Form 130 (old Form 16), AIS and deduction proofs
  • Prepared by your Savvy, checked by a CA
  1. PAN and e-filing login
  2. Any capital gains other than small listed equity LTCG
  3. Confirm ITR-1 eligibility
  4. ITR-V acknowledgement with acknowledgement number
The law and the stepsPay and start · ₹999Yearly, + 18% GST

Answer in brief

If you earn a salary or pension and have simple other income, you file ITR-1 every year. We check that ITR-1 is the right form, match your Form 130 (old Form 16) with AIS, pick the regime that costs you less, file it and e-verify it so your refund can be processed.

Every paid answer is checked by a CA. Free AI answers are labelled until a CA verifies them.

From the official sources

What the law says, and what trips people up

From the official portal's manuals and FAQs, with the source for each point.

The law

  • Income-tax Act 1961, Sec 139(1) (now Sec 263(1)) read with Explanation 2 as substituted by Finance Act 2026

    Return due 31 July for individuals with no business income and no auditSource

  • Income-tax Rules 1962, ITR-1 for AY 2026-27 (notified 30 March 2026, corrigendum 10 April 2026)

    ITR-1 eligibility: resident, income up to ₹50 lakh, up to two house properties, Sec 198 (old Sec 112A) LTCG up to ₹1.25 lakhSource

  • Income-tax Act 1961, Sec 115BAC (now Sec 202)

    New regime is the default; a person without business income opts out in the return itselfSource

  • CBDT Notification No. 2 of 2024 (31 March 2024)

    Verify within 30 days of upload, else the verification date is the filing date; unverified return is invalidSource

  • Income-tax Act 1961, Sec 234F (now Sec 428)

    Late fee ₹1,000 if total income up to ₹5 lakh, else ₹5,000Source

  • Income-tax Act 2025, Sec 536

    Proceedings for years before 1 April 2026 continue under the 1961 ActSource

  • Government fee

    No government fee for filing on time. Any tax due is paid as self-assessment tax through e-Pay Tax before filing. Source: https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/newdownloads/itr/itr-UM

  • Late fee or penalty

    If filed after 31 July: Sec 428 (old Sec 234F) fee of ₹1,000 (total income up to ₹5,00,000) or ₹5,000 (above), plus Sec 423 (old Sec 234A) interest of 1% a month on unpaid tax. Source: https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/help/all-topics/e-filing-services/%20income%20tax%20returns-faq and https://calcguru.in/belated-return-after-due-date/

On the portal

  1. Login to the e-filing portal
  2. e-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return
  3. Select AY 2026-27 and mode Online, then Continue
  4. Select status, then ITR-1 and Proceed with ITR-1
  5. Tick the reason for filing; answer the regime opt-out question (No for new regime, Yes for old regime)
  6. Validate and confirm Personal Information, Gross Total Income, Total Deductions, Tax Paid and Total Tax Liability
  7. If tax is payable choose Pay Now through e-Pay Tax, then return to filing
  8. Preview, tick the declaration, Proceed to Validation, then Proceed to Verification
  9. e-Verify Now with Aadhaar OTP, EVC or DSC; save the acknowledgement

What trips people up

  • Filed ITR-1 though not eligible (short-term gains, more than two properties, director, unlisted shares)

    Use ITR-2 or the right form; a wrong form can be treated as defective under Sec 139(9)Source

  • Old regime deductions not visible in the form

    Only 80CCD(2) and 80CCH show unless you answer Yes to opting out of the new regimeSource

  • Return submitted but not verified

    Verify within 30 days; after that the verification date becomes the filing date and late fee can applySource

  • Form 16 figures differ from AIS

    Cross-check every figure with Form 16, 26AS and AIS and correct any mismatch before filingSource

  • Choosing Pay Later for tax due

    Pay Now is recommended; unpaid tax can make you an assessee in default and attract interestSource

People ask

I have two house properties. Can I still use ITR-1?

Yes, from AY 2026-27 ITR-1 allows income from up to two house properties.Source

Which tax regime applies if I do nothing?

The new regime is the default. Answer Yes to the opt-out question to file under the old regime.Source

I sold listed shares at a small long-term gain. Is ITR-1 allowed?

Yes, if Sec 112A long-term gains are up to ₹1.25 lakh and there are no short-term gains.Source

How long do I have to verify?

30 days from upload. A return not verified in time is treated as invalid.Source

I missed 31 July. What now?

You can file a belated return by 31 December 2026 with a late fee of ₹1,000 or ₹5,000.Source

IDFD

How we solve it: 4 steps

Every line tracked live.

Step 1 of 4 · What we need from you

Tap each one you already have

Ready0 / 9
  • PAN and e-filing login
  • Form 130 (old Form 16) from each employer
  • AIS, TIS and Form 168 (old Form 26AS)
  • Bank interest certificatesOptional
  • Validated bank account
  • Home loan interest certificateOptional
  • Rent and deduction proofsOptional
  • Equity LTCG statement, if anyOptional
  • Aadhaar OTP or EVC access

Connect now

A Savvy replies in minutes.

Fixed price before you pay. Your Savvy is paid only after you accept the work.

Connect nowPay and start: ₹999

Answers on this topic

Ask any money problem

Pay and start

₹999

₹999 + ₹179.82 GST = ₹1,178.82

Yearly. Delivered in 1 working day after Form 130 (old Form 16), AIS and deduction proofs. Due: Due 31 July of the assessment year (31 July 2026 for AY 2026-27, now passed). After that, a belated return up to 31 December 2026 (see ITR-COR-01).

  • Every paid answer checked by a CA
  • Fixed price before you pay
  • Track every step live
  • Updates on WhatsApp and in your dashboard