Statutory Compliance

Income Tax Filing in Chennai: ITR Filing Services for Individuals and Businesses (2026)

Income tax return (ITR) filing is the process of reporting income, deductions, tax payments, and other required details to the Income Tax Department. The correct ITR form depends on the taxpayer's category, income sources, and residential status. Key steps include reconciling AIS, TIS, and Form 26AS, selecting the applicable tax regime, calculating tax liability, and completing e-verification within the prescribed period. A filed return is not complete until e-verification is done — unverified returns are treated as not filed.

Quick Answer

Income tax return (ITR) filing is the process of reporting income, deductions, tax payments, and other required details to the Income Tax Department. The correct ITR form depends on the taxpayer's category, income sources, and residential status. Key steps include reconciling AIS, TIS, and Form 26AS, selecting the applicable tax regime, calculating tax liability, and completing e-verification within the prescribed period. A filed return is not complete until e-verification is done — unverified returns are treated as not filed.

Income Tax Filing

Quick Facts

DetailInformation
Service Income Tax Return Filing
Who We Help Salaried employees, freelancers, consultants, proprietors, companies, LLPs, and other taxpayers
ITR Forms ITR-1 to ITR-7, depending on the taxpayer category and income sources
Key Documents PAN, Aadhaar, AIS, Form 26AS, Form 16, TDS certificates, and bank statements
Tax Regimes Old tax regime with eligible deductions and new tax regime with revised slabs and fewer deductions
E-Verification Must be completed within the prescribed period after filing
Refund Eligibility Available when eligible taxes paid exceed the final tax liability; not automatic
Late Filing Options Belated or updated return may be available, subject to conditions, deadlines, interest, and additional tax
Simple Salaried ITR Fee ₹500–₹1,500, indicative
Freelancer or Consultant ITR Fee ₹1,500–₹5,000, indicative
Proprietorship ITR Fee ₹2,000–₹7,500, indicative
Company or LLP ITR Fee ₹3,000–₹10,000+, indicative
Government Filing Fee ₹0 through the Income Tax Department e-filing portal
Official Portal incometax.gov.in
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Quick Answer

Quick Answer

Income tax return (ITR) filing is the process of reporting income, deductions, tax payments, and other required details to the Income Tax Department. The correct ITR form depends on the taxpayer's category, income sources, and residential status. Key steps include reconciling AIS, TIS, and Form 26AS, selecting the applicable tax regime, calculating tax liability, and completing e-verification within the prescribed period. A filed return is not complete until e-verification is done — unverified returns are treated as not filed.

Statutory Compliance

What Is Income Tax Return Filing?

An income tax return (ITR) is a prescribed statement through which a taxpayer reports income, deductions, tax payments, and other required particulars to the Income Tax Department for an assessment year.

Filing an accurate ITR enables you to:

Report salary, business, professional, rental, capital gains, and other income
Calculate applicable tax liability under the chosen regime
Report TDS, TCS, and advance tax payments
Claim eligible deductions and exemptions
Claim a tax refund where excess tax has been paid
Carry forward eligible losses where permitted
Maintain a clear record of tax compliance
Important: Filing requirements are not the same for every taxpayer. The obligation to file depends on income level, taxpayer category, residential status, and specified financial transactions. Some taxpayers must file even when taxable income is below the basic exemption limit.
Target Industries

Who Needs to File an ITR?

Taxpayer CategoryCommon Filing Situation
Salaried employees Income exceeds basic exemption; multiple income sources; TDS refund claim
Freelancers and consultants Professional income from multiple clients; advance tax payments
Self-employed individuals Business income; professional receipts; presumptive taxation eligibility
Proprietors Business income; books of account; tax audit obligation assessment
Directors and investors Salary + capital gains + dividend income combinations
Companies Mandatory filing regardless of income
LLPs and partnership firms Mandatory filing per applicable provisions
Individuals with foreign assets Mandatory filing under applicable law
Individuals with specified transactions High-value bank deposits, electricity bills, or other notified conditions
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Do not assume: Being below the basic exemption limit does not automatically mean ITR filing is optional. Specified transactions and other statutory conditions may create a filing obligation for certain taxpayers.

Income Tax Filing Threshold: Basic Exemption Limit

For FY 2025–26 (AY 2026–27), the applicable basic exemption limit depends on the tax regime and taxpayer category.

Tax Regime / TaxpayerBasic Exemption Limit
New Tax Regime ₹4 lakh
Old Tax Regime – Individual below 60 years ₹2.5 lakh
Old Tax Regime – Senior Citizen (60–79 years) ₹3 lakh
Old Tax Regime – Super Senior Citizen (80+ years) ₹5 lakh
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However, income below the basic exemption limit does not always mean that ITR filing is optional. Certain taxpayers may still have a filing obligation because of specified conditions or transactions, such as foreign assets, certain high-value transactions, or other requirements applicable for the relevant assessment year.

Similarly, taxpayers may choose to file an ITR even when filing is not mandatory, particularly when they need to claim a refund, carry forward eligible losses, or maintain an official income-tax record.

Important: The basic exemption limit is different from the tax-rebate provisions that may result in nil tax liability at higher income levels under the new tax regime. Filing obligation and final tax liability are separate questions.
Guidance

ITR Form Guide: Which Form Applies to You?

Selecting the wrong ITR form makes the return defective — one of the most common and avoidable filing mistakes.

ITR FormWho It Applies To
ITR-1 Eligible resident individuals with income from salary, one house property, and other sources (interest) within prescribed limits. Not eligible if you have capital gains, business income, or foreign assets.
ITR-2 Individuals and HUFs without business or professional income but with capital gains, multiple house properties, or foreign income/assets
ITR-3 Individuals and HUFs with business or professional income — not eligible for ITR-4
ITR-4 Eligible resident individuals, HUFs, and firms (other than LLPs) opting for presumptive taxation under Section 44AD, 44ADA, or 44AE
ITR-5 Firms, LLPs, AOPs, BOIs, and certain other entities
ITR-6 Companies (other than those claiming exemption under Section 11)
ITR-7 Persons filing under Sections 139(4A), 139(4B), 139(4C), or 139(4D) — including trusts, political parties, and specified institutions
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Common ITR-1 disqualifications: Capital gains of any amount, income from more than one house property, agricultural income above ₹5,000, income as company director, holding unlisted shares, or having foreign assets.

If you received capital gains from selling shares or mutual funds — even small amounts — you likely need ITR-2 or ITR-3, not ITR-1.

Pre-Filing Review

AIS, TIS, and Form 26AS: Reconcile Before Filing

This step is skipped by most self-filers and is the single biggest source of post-filing notices.

DocumentWhat It ShowsWhere to Access
Annual Information Statement (AIS) All reported financial transactions — TDS, interest, dividends, mutual fund transactions, property sale/purchase, foreign remittances incometax.gov.in → e-File → Income Tax Returns → View AIS
Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS) Processed/aggregated view of AIS data Within AIS portal
Form 26AS TDS/TCS credits, high-value transactions, advance tax, self-assessment tax incometax.gov.in → e-File → View Form 26AS
Form 16 Employer-issued TDS certificate for salary Provided by employer
Form 16A TDS certificate for non-salary income Provided by deductors
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Before filing, reconcile:

AIS income figures against your actual income records
Form 26AS TDS credits against your Form 16 and 16A
Interest income in AIS against your bank passbooks
Capital gains in AIS against your broker and mutual fund statements
If AIS shows income you didn't recognize — or shows amounts different from your records — investigate and resolve before filing. Ignoring AIS discrepancies is the most common trigger for income tax notices after filing.
Tax Planning

Old vs New Tax Regime: How to Choose

Eligible individual taxpayers must choose between the old and new tax regimes. The right choice depends on your income level and eligible deductions.

FactorOld Tax RegimeNew Tax Regime
Tax slabs Higher rates with lower basic exemption Lower rates with higher basic exemption (₹4 lakh)
Standard deduction (salaried) ₹50,000 ₹75,000 (FY 2024–25 onwards)
Section 80C deductions Available (up to ₹1.5 lakh) Not available
HRA exemption Available Not available
Home loan interest (Section 24) Available (let-out property) Limited
Professional tax deduction Available Not available
Leave travel allowance Available (conditions apply) Not available
Default regime Opt-in required Default for most taxpayers
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General guidance (not tax advice):

If your eligible deductions under 80C, 80D, HRA, and home loan interest exceed approximately ₹3–3.5 lakh, the old regime often results in lower tax
If your deductions are low or you prefer simplicity, the new regime may result in lower tax
Business and professional taxpayers have additional restrictions on switching regimes — once you switch from old to new, reverting is limited
Use the Income Tax Department's tax calculator at incometax.gov.in to compare both regimes for your specific income and deduction profile before deciding.
Documentation

Documents Required by Taxpayer Type

All Taxpayers

DocumentPurpose
PAN card Primary identity for filing
Aadhaar Linked to ITR filing process
Bank account details Refund processing
AIS / TIS Income and transaction reconciliation
Form 26AS TDS credit verification
Advance tax / self-assessment tax challan Tax payment records
Previous year ITR acknowledgement Carry forward losses and continuity
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Salaried Employees (Additional)

DocumentPurpose
Form 16 (Part A and Part B) Salary and TDS details
Salary slips Income verification
Home loan interest certificate Section 24 deduction
House rent receipts and HRA workings HRA exemption calculation
Investment proof (80C, 80D, NPS, etc.) Deduction claims
Capital gains statements (broker/MF) If any investments were sold
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Freelancers and Consultants (Additional)

DocumentPurpose
Client-wise income summary Income reporting
Form 16A from clients TDS credit
Business expense records Deductible expense claims
Advance tax payment challan Tax payment verification
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Proprietors and Business Owners (Additional)

DocumentPurpose
Profit and loss account Business income computation
Balance sheet Asset and liability reporting
GST returns summary Income reconciliation
Bank statements (all accounts) Business transaction verification
Books of account Audit requirement assessment
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Pricing

Income Tax Filing Fees in Chennai

Indicative service-planning ranges — not government fees. Actual fees depend on income complexity, transaction volume, and audit requirements. GST applicable separately where applicable.

Type of FilingIndicative Professional Fee
Simple salaried ITR (Form 16 only) ₹500 – ₹1,500
Salaried with multiple income sources ₹1,000 – ₹3,000
Individual with capital gains ₹1,500 – ₹5,000
Freelancer or consultant ITR ₹1,500 – ₹5,000
Proprietorship ITR ₹2,000 – ₹7,500
Partnership firm or LLP return ₹3,000 – ₹10,000+
Company income tax return Based on accounts, audit, and complexity
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Government filing fee: ₹0 — ITR filing through the Income Tax Department portal is free. Professional fees cover document review, income reconciliation, tax computation, regime comparison, ITR preparation, and filing support.

Request a specific quote: Share your taxpayer category, income sources, and approximate transaction volume with Aanoor Global.

Deadlines

Income Tax Return Due Dates (AY 2026–27)

Due dates vary by taxpayer category. Always verify the current applicable deadline at incometax.gov.in — official extensions and changes are notified there.

Taxpayer CategoryGeneral Due Date (AY 2026–27)
Individuals, HUFs, AOPs, BOIs (no audit) 31 July 2026
Taxpayers requiring tax audit 31 October 2026
Taxpayers with transfer pricing report 30 November 2026
Companies 31 October 2026
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Belated return: If the due date is missed, a belated return can generally be filed up to 31 December of the assessment year — with a late fee under Section 234F (up to ₹5,000; ₹1,000 for income up to ₹5 lakh) and interest under Section 234A on unpaid tax.

Updated return (ITR-U): Available under Section 139(8A) for up to 2 years from the end of the relevant assessment year — with additional tax of 25% or 50% on the additional income tax depending on when it is filed.

Do not assume every taxpayer has the same due date. Confirm the applicable deadline for your category and any extensions notified by the Income Tax Department.

Our Process

Our Filing Process: Step by Step

Step 1

Understand Your Filing Requirements

Review taxpayer category, income sources, assessment year, and applicable ITR form.

1
Step 2

Collect and Review Documents

Gather income records, TDS certificates, tax payment details, and deduction proofs. Share through a secure channel.

2
Step 3

Reconcile AIS, Form 26AS, and Income Records

Compare available income information against AIS, TIS, and Form 26AS. Flag and investigate discrepancies before proceeding.

3
Step 4

Select Applicable ITR Form

Determine the correct form based on income sources, taxpayer category, and eligibility conditions.

4
Step 5

Tax Regime Comparison

Calculate tax under both old and new regimes based on eligible deductions. Recommend the more beneficial option.

5
Step 6

Prepare Return

Compute tax liability using applicable provisions. Prepare ITR using reviewed documents and information.

6
Step 7

Client Review and Approval

Share the prepared return with the taxpayer before filing. Clarify any questions.

7
Step 8

File the Return

Submit through the Income Tax Department e-filing portal using the permitted process.

8
Step 9

E-Verification

Complete e-verification within the prescribed period (currently 30 days from filing). Options include Aadhaar OTP, net banking, bank account, demat account, or physical ITR-V dispatch. An unverified return is treated as not filed.

9
Step 10

Acknowledgement and Follow-Up

Share the ITR-V/acknowledgement. Track refund status and respond to any subsequent notices.

10

Our Filing Process: Step by Step

01
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Understand Your Filing Requirements

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Collect and Review Documents

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Reconcile AIS, Form 26AS, and Income Records

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Select Applicable ITR Form

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Tax Regime Comparison

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Prepare Return

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Client Review and Approval

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File the Return

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E-Verification

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Acknowledgement and Follow-Up

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Taxpayer Categories

ITR Filing by Taxpayer Category

Salaried Employees

Most salaried employees can use ITR-1 or ITR-2 depending on their income profile. Common issues include unreported interest income, missing capital gains disclosures, and incorrect HRA calculations. Reconciling Form 16 with AIS before filing prevents post-filing notices.

Freelancers and Consultants

Freelancers typically report income under "profits and gains from business or profession." Key questions: Is presumptive taxation under Section 44ADA applicable? Are advance tax obligations being met? Are TDS credits from clients correctly reconciled?

Proprietors

Proprietorship income is reported in the proprietor's personal ITR. Assessment of tax audit obligation (Section 44AB), choice of tax regime, and GST reconciliation with business income are all relevant before filing.

Investors

Capital gains from equity shares, mutual funds, and property each have different tax treatment. Equity LTCG above ₹1.25 lakh (FY 2024–25 onwards) is taxable at 12.5%. STCG from listed equity is taxable at 20%. Debt mutual fund gains are taxable as per slab rates. Accurate classification is critical.

Companies

Companies have mandatory ITR filing obligations regardless of income or loss. The applicable form is ITR-6. Audit requirements, MAT assessment, and deferred tax are relevant considerations.

LLPs and Partnership Firms

LLPs use ITR-5. Partner remuneration, interest on capital, and profit-sharing provisions affect the firm's taxable income. Partner-level ITR filing is separate.

Avoid These Errors

Common Income Tax Filing Mistakes

1

Wrong ITR form

Using ITR-1 when capital gains exist, or using ITR-4 when the turnover exceeds presumptive limits. A defective return requires refiling.

2

Not reconciling AIS before filing

AIS contains income reported by banks, brokers, employers, and others. Filing without checking AIS frequently results in income mismatches and post-filing notices.

3

Missing income sources

Interest income from savings accounts, FDs, and bonds; dividend income; rental income; and one-time capital gains are commonly omitted.

4

Incorrect regime selection

Switching regimes without calculating the tax impact under both options. Business taxpayers switching from old to new regime should check the restrictions on switching back.

5

Wrong bank details

Incorrect account number or IFSC delays or prevents refund processing.

6

Not paying advance tax

Taxpayers with total tax liability above ₹10,000 must pay advance tax. Failure to do so attracts interest under Section 234B and 234C.

7

Skipping e-verification

A return filed but not e-verified within 30 days is treated as if it was never filed.

8

Claiming ineligible deductions

Deductions under the old regime (80C, 80D, etc.) are not available under the new regime. Claiming them under the new regime is incorrect.

9

Ignoring the belated return option

Missing the original due date does not mean you cannot file — a belated return can be filed by 31 December of the assessment year.

Case Study

Real Chennai Example

A software professional in OMR, Chennai had been filing her own ITR-1 every year. For FY 2024–25, she sold equity mutual fund units and received freelance income from a US client through PayPal in addition to her regular salary.

When she approached Aanoor Global before filing:

Issues identified

ITR-1 was not eligible — capital gains and freelance income required ITR-3

AIS showed ₹34,000 in interest income not reported in previous returns

Advance tax had not been paid on the freelance income

The US client payment appeared in AIS under "foreign remittance received" — needed proper disclosure

What Aanoor Global did

Confirmed ITR-3 was the applicable form

Reconciled AIS with her salary, capital gains, interest, and freelance income

Computed advance tax liability and interest under 234B/234C

Prepared the return under both old and new regime — old regime was more beneficial by ₹18,400

Filed ITR-3, guided e-verification, and assisted with advance tax payment for the current year

Outcome: Return filed without notices. Tax savings of ₹18,400 compared to the new regime. Advance tax set up for the current year.

"I had been filing ITR-1 myself for years without realizing I wasn't eligible once I had capital gains. Aanoor Global caught the form error, reconciled everything with my AIS, and saved me more than the service fee in tax. Very thorough." — Software Professional, OMR, Chennai

After Filing

Post-Filing: E-Verification and Refund

E-Verification — mandatory after filing

MethodRequirements
Aadhaar OTP PAN-Aadhaar linked; Aadhaar mobile number active
Net banking Through authorized bank's e-filing login
Bank account EVC Bank account validated on e-filing portal
Demat account EVC Demat account validated on e-filing portal
Physical ITR-V Send signed copy to CPC Bangalore within 30 days (if OTP not available)
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Timeline: E-verification must be completed within 30 days of filing. An unverified return is treated as not filed — the due date interest and late fee implications apply as if no return was submitted.

Refund Processing

If the ITR shows taxes paid in excess of liability, a refund will be processed by the Income Tax Department after the return is verified and processed.

Refunds are credited to the bank account declared in the ITR
Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks for straightforward returns
Track status at incometax.gov.in → e-File → View Filed Returns
Filing a return does not guarantee a refund. Refund eligibility depends on the information reported and the Income Tax Department's processing outcome.
Operational Guide

Pre-Filing Checklist

Before submitting your income tax return:

Documents

    PAN and Aadhaar available and linked
    Bank account details verified (correct IFSC and account number)
    Form 16 (Part A and Part B) received from employer
    Form 26AS downloaded and reviewed
    AIS and TIS downloaded and reconciled against income records
    TDS certificates (Form 16A) collected from all deductors
    Capital gains statements from broker and mutual fund platforms
    Advance tax payment challans available

Return Preparation

    Correct ITR form identified based on income sources
    Tax regime comparison completed — old vs new
    All income sources included — salary, interest, capital gains, freelance, rent
    AIS discrepancies investigated and resolved
    Eligible deductions verified per the chosen regime
    Bank details correct for refund processing

Post-Filing

    E-verification completed within 30 days
    ITR-V/acknowledgement saved
    Refund status tracking set up at incometax.gov.in
    Advance tax calendar set for current year (if applicable)
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is income tax filing in Chennai?
The process of submitting an income tax return to the Income Tax Department reporting income, deductions, tax payments, and required details for an assessment year. Aanoor Global provides ITR filing assistance for individuals and businesses across Chennai.
How much does ITR filing cost in Chennai?
A simple salaried ITR starts from ₹500 – ₹1,500. Freelancer and consultant returns: ₹1,500 – ₹5,000. Proprietorship: ₹2,000 – ₹7,500. Government filing is free — professional fees cover preparation, reconciliation, and filing support.
Which ITR form should I use?
Depends on your income sources and taxpayer category. ITR-1 for eligible salaried individuals with simple income. ITR-2 if you have capital gains or multiple properties. ITR-3 if you have business or professional income. ITR-4 for presumptive taxation eligibility. Contact Aanoor Global for form selection guidance.
What is AIS and why does it matter?
Annual Information Statement — a comprehensive record of all financial transactions reported to the Income Tax Department by banks, employers, mutual funds, and others. Reconciling AIS with your own income records before filing prevents notices and mismatches after submission.
What is the ITR filing due date for AY 2026–27?
31 July 2026 for non-audit individuals and HUFs. 31 October 2026 for taxpayers requiring audit. Verify current dates and extensions at incometax.gov.in.
What happens if I miss the ITR due date?
A belated return can be filed by 31 December of the assessment year with a late fee under Section 234F (up to ₹5,000). An updated return under Section 139(8A) is available for up to 2 years with additional tax.
Is e-verification mandatory?
Yes — where required, it must be completed within 30 days of filing. An unverified return is treated as not filed.
Can I switch tax regimes?
Eligible individual taxpayers can choose between old and new regimes each year. Business and professional taxpayers have restrictions on switching — once you switch from old to new, reverting to old regime has limitations.
Does filing an ITR guarantee a tax refund?
No. A refund is available only if eligible taxes paid exceed the final assessed liability. Filing initiates the process; the Income Tax Department's processing determines the refund.
Can I file an ITR if I have no taxable income?
In some circumstances, yes — voluntary filing preserves tax records and supports future visa or loan applications. Some taxpayers with income below the basic exemption limit are still required to file due to specified transaction conditions.
What is the difference between ITR-1 and ITR-2?
ITR-1 is for eligible resident individuals with salary, one house property, and other permitted income within prescribed limits. ITR-2 applies when you have capital gains, multiple house properties, or foreign income — even if you have no business income.
Is Aanoor Global available for ITR filing across Chennai?
Yes — we support income tax filing for individuals and businesses across T. Nagar, Anna Nagar, Nungambakkam, Guindy, Adyar, Mylapore, Velachery, OMR, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, Tambaram, Porur, Ambattur, and surrounding areas.
Why Choose Us

Why Aanoor Global

Accurate ITR filing starts with understanding your income — not just entering numbers from Form 16.

At Aanoor Global, we review your complete income profile, reconcile AIS and Form 26AS, identify the correct ITR form, compare old and new tax regimes, and prepare your return with attention to income classification, deduction eligibility, and TDS credit accuracy.

What we cover:

ITR form selection based on income sources
AIS reconciliation before filing
Tax regime comparison — old vs new
Deduction review and eligibility confirmation
Tax computation and advance tax assessment
ITR preparation and submission
E-verification guidance
Refund status tracking
Response support for notices arising from the return

Fee transparency: Professional fees disclosed upfront after reviewing your taxpayer category and income sources. Government filing fee is ₹0.

Services Coverage

Income Tax Filing Services Coverage — Chennai

We provide Income Tax Filing services across Chennai. Remote and cloud-based bookkeeping is available for businesses across Tamil Nadu and India.

Guindy
Ambattur
Anna Nagar
Velachery
Tambaram
Porur
OMR
Sholinganallur
Perungudi
T. Nagar
Adyar
Mylapore
Nungambakkam
Sriperumbudur
Oragadam
Related Services

Related services you may also need

To support your broader compliance needs, Aanoor Global also offers:

Income Tax Filing Assistance in Chennai

Start with a free 15-minute filing review — confirm the right ITR form, tax regime, and documents before preparing your return

Professional ITR filing from ₹500 for simple salaried returns. Contact us for a specific quote.

Expert Profile

Nirmala Devi

Senior Accounting & Compliance Consultant, Aanoor Global

Name has over 10 years of experience in bookkeeping, accounting, GST compliance, payroll management, financial reporting, and statutory compliance. She has supported startups, MSMEs, manufacturers, service businesses, retailers, and private limited companies across Chennai with accurate accounting systems, GST-ready books, and timely financial reporting. Her team manages bookkeeping across Tally Prime, Zoho Books, QuickBooks, Busy Accounting, and Excel-based systems for businesses across a range of industries and transaction volumes.

Published: July 2026 | Aanoor Global Income Tax Filing, Chennai

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