How To File Returns Using the Income DepartmentÔÇÖs Excel Utilities

The Income-Tax Department released Excel utilities on 25 April 2023 for filing income tax returns for the AY 2023-24. At present, only the utilities for ITR 1 and ITR 4 forms have been made available, while the release of others is still awaited.

This Excel utility can be downloaded from the official website of the Income Tax Department. The Income Tax Department has made available an offline Excel-based utility for filing ITR-1 Sahaj and ITR-4 Sugam for the FY 2022-23 (Assessment Year 2023-24).

Steps To File ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4 In Offline Mode Using Excel Utilities

The first step is to select the relevant assessment year under the ‘Download’ section and click on the ‘utility’ link under the ‘Common Offline Utility (ITR 1 to ITR 4)’ section. 

Then log into your e-filing account, you need to download the Excel utility. After doing so, click on Proceed to e-File > Income Tax Returns > File ITR & click on Finish.

Note: Select the relevant AY and Filing Mode as offline.

Extract the downloaded zip folder of the utility and run the utility and click on the ‘Continue’ button. Later you will see three options on the screen

• Returns:  Select this option & click ‘File returns’ If it’s your first time filing a return.
• Returns Draft Version: Go for this option in case you want to see the draft version of your returns (already executed filing), and then click ‘edit.’
• Pre-filled Information: Choose this option to see all the pre-filled data of your income tax returns you earlier imported into the utility.

For a while, let’s assume it’s your first income tax return filing. Thus, select any of the following options after clicking ‘File returns’ under the ‘Returns’ tab: –

• Pre-filled Data Download
• Pre-filled Data Import 

Import a JSON file generated by an Excel utility & now you’ll need to file the return after downloaded/imported the data successfully.

The next step is to select your status and press the ‘Continue’ option to proceed ahead. Then you will be redirected to the next screen, where you must choose under ‘I know which ITR Form I need to file,’ select the ITR form and click on ‘continue’. 

After this, click the ‘Let’s Get Started’ tab on the next screen. And select the correct reason for filing the ITR and click ‘Continue’ to proceed further.

Now fill out all the essential details to complete the ITR form & click on ‘Proceed’.

On the ‘Confirm Your Return Summary page,’ you’ll see a summary of your tax computation depending on the details you furnished.

If there is a tax liability, you will see two options to either 'Pay Now' or 'Pay Later.' If you choose to pay immediately, select the 'Pay Now' option to settle your income tax liability. After making the payment, input the challan number and BSR code into the payment details.

Upon reviewing your return, select the declaration box and enter the required declaration details. Then, preview and validate the return. To verify any errors, choose the relevant error, which will take you directly to the error field. Additionally, you can obtain the JSON format.

After all errors have been rectified and validation has been completed successfully, click on the 'Proceed to Verification' button to finalize the verification process. The website will redirect you to the income tax e-filing portal where you will need to log in.

Lastly, click on the ‘Upload Return’ option. However, you must e-verify the return to complete the returns filing process. 

Important Things To Remember While Using Excel Utilities

• The primary step for a return filer is to ensure that you select the appropriate ITR form and download the corresponding utility.
• It is essential for taxpayers to thoroughly review the eligibility criteria before selecting the form to be filed. Furthermore, each sheet of the Excel utility can be validated independently, allowing taxpayers to avoid incomplete information and errors while filing their returns.
• Prior to starting the process of filling out the ITR form, it is advisable to keep the source documents readily available. The validation check should be carried out tab by tab within the utility.
• After the auto-tax calculation is finished, taxpayers should carefully review the results manually to ensure accuracy. In order to file their tax returns, taxpayers must download the most recent utility for the current fiscal year.
• While the deadline for filing the income tax return for AY 2023-24 is July 31, it is recommended to submit it sooner if all the essential information and details are available. Doing so will accelerate the return filing process, ensure timely receipt of any refunds, and prevent interest penalties.

Also, Read: "ITR Document Checklist For Financial Year: 2022-23 Assessment Year: 2023-24".