Paying your first income tax is a watershed moment in any citizen's life. However, as the deadline for completing income tax return filing approaches, individuals become more conscious, as many consider it to be a difficult process. It may even appear to be a nightmare if you are a first-time taxpayer.

An income tax return (ITR) is a document used to report to the Internal Revenue Service information about your earnings and taxes. The tax liability of a taxpayer is determined by his or her income. If the return reveals that too much tax was paid during the year, the individual will be eligible for a refund from the Internal Revenue Service. Anyone with a source of income is required to file income tax forms.

Is It Necessary To File A Tax Return?

f your income exceeds the basic exemption threshold, you are required to file an income tax return filing in accordance with Indian tax law. The rate at which taxpayers pay income tax is predetermined. Not only will late filing costs increase, but they will also make it more difficult to obtain a loan or a travel visa.

Some Income Tax Basics for Beginners

Here are some fundamental tax principles to assist you to take your confident steps into income tax return filing:

What is a previous year?

The previous year is the 12-month period beginning April 1st and ending March 31st of the following year. Your tax year ends on March 31st, and a new one begins on April 1st. So, plan your taxes for the year accordingly.

What is a year of evaluation?

It's a term typically used in income tax return filing. It is the year following the prior year in which you ‘assess' and file your previous year's return. So the assessment year for 2019-20 is 2020-21. The assessment year is the year you file your prior year's return. If you start working on January 1, 2021, your tax year ends on March 31, 2021.

Know Your Salary And Other Sources

Get your salary details/pay slip/tax statement from your payroll or HR department when you start work. You can see the primary components of your salary and how much tax is withheld based on them.

Taxable income

You may also earn money from other sources besides your pay. This is the total of all your income streams.

Deductions

Deductions lower your net income. These are the sums the IRS permits you to deduct from your taxable income.

Sum of All heads of Income = Gross Income

Gross Income: Deductions = Taxable Income

The more you use the allowable deductions, the lower your tax. Section 80 of the Income Tax Act allows deductions (Section 80C to 80U).

Value of e-filing

Electronic filing (e-filing) or e pay tax online is the process of submitting tax returns electronically. This is done utilizing pre-approved tax preparation software from India's Income Tax Department.

The benefits of e pay tax online have increased its popularity. The taxpayer is free to file a tax return from home, at any time during the year with e pay tax online.

It is not essential for some people to file ITRs, but it can still be helpful. The following are some of the reasons why filing an ITR is important:

Obtain a refund: An individual who earns or invests in India may have had tax deducted at source (TDS). If the taxpayer desires to claim a TDS refund, he or she must file an ITR.

Simpler documentation verification: Income tax returns assist you to generate paperwork that establishes your income chart. Such documents are checked for loan application analysis of your income eligibility.

An ITR document is the most commonly acceptable paperwork for visa and loan applications.

Proof of income: Income tax returns serve as proof of income and assist your insurer to calculate compensation in the event of death or disability. It is regarded as official because it has been validated by a government agency.

Here Are the Most Common Tax Filing Mistakes, and How to Avoid Making Them

For taxpayers who earn a salary and own a single home, income tax return filing (ITR) is a breeze. They can simply complete the ITR-1 form. The same cannot be said for those required to file more complicated ITR-2, ITR-3, or ITR-4 tax returns.

Particularly as the Internal Revenue Service has tightened standards to plug tax leaks in recent years, people have made a number of unintended blunders.

The following are some of the most typical mistakes made when submitting an ITR that should be avoided:

Using the Wrong Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form

Using the incorrect ITR form is one of the most typical tax filing blunders. The use of the improper form leads to a flawed submission that will be rejected by the IRS.

Choosing The Inaccurate Assessment Year

You must provide the right assessment year when filing an ITR. The distinction between the fiscal year and the assessment year is frequently misunderstood. This can result in an incorrect ITR, which might result in fines.

Leaving It To The Last Minute

Procrastination is a typical problem with taxpayers, and it often opens the door to a slew of other problems. When you are in a hurry, you are more likely to make a mistake. Why wait?

Choosing The Incorrect Filing Status

Filing your tax return requires you to choose a suitable filing status. It can affect your tax bracket, as well as the tax credits and deductions you are eligible for and the amount of tax you pay.

There are five distinct filing statuses available for ITR Filling:

1. single,
2. head of the family,
3. filing jointly by a married couple
4. married couples filing separate returns, and
5. widows who qualify.

Each income tax return filing status has its own set of rules about who can choose that choice. If you're eligible for more than one tax filing status, such as single and head of household, your decision could mean the difference between a larger tax refund and having to pay more.