E-Filing vs Manual Filing
Technology has advanced to a stage where almost all tasks are done online, whether it is shopping, communicating, or banking, which begs the question: why not file your income tax returns online too? Here, we shall discuss the benefits of filing your returns online and the differences between online filing and manual filing of your income tax returns.
Anytime Access to Records
- The greatest benefit of online filing of income tax returns is that all your documents are uploaded on one platform and therefore can be accessed at any time.
- With the manual filing of income tax returns, accessing physical records in times of emergencies can be a tad difficult as you will have a lot of digging to do when filing your taxes.
Simplicity of Preparation
- Following the online efiling of your income tax returns, the online portal will save all of your information, which makes it convenient for you to file your returns the next time as you can auto-populate from previous records.
- When income tax returns are filed manually, lengthy return forms will have to be filled in manually, which opens the risk of making errors which in turn can result in massive tax liabilities.
Tracking of Status
- When you file your returns online, the status of your return processing can be tracked with relative ease. You can check whether or not the Income Tax Department has received your return and processed it and whether or not the department is processing any refunds you may have claimed.
- In case of manual filing of income tax returns, the status of your physically filed returns will not be available online, and the only way through which the Income Tax Department can communicate the status of your returns is through postal services, which can be a rather long wait if you urgently want to know the status of your returns.
Fewer Errors in Calculation
- Thanks to tax calculation programs and inbuilt data validation, tax calculations are error-free when you file your returns online.
- When it comes to manual filing of your income tax returns, you will have to compute the income and deductions along with the tax figures manually, which could result in errors.
Faster Refunds
- Refunds are processed online in a quick and hassle-free manner.
- While processing in manual filing of returns is usually delayed. There is also a delay in payment of returns in manual filing.
Revision of Errors
- The online filing of your income tax returns will allow room for revisions and reviews and the data can be changed easily and the forms can then be uploaded in a simple and hassle-free manner.
- Returns that are filed manually can only be revised if you file another physical form which is a time-consuming and tedious process.
Convenient Submission
- Online filing of income tax returns provides for convenient submission of the documents.
- With manual filing, the problem is that a lot of people tend to wait for the last minute to file their taxes, which will mean waiting in long queues in tax offices, which is again a time-consuming process.
Verification
- E-Verification of your income tax returns is not only convenient, but it also saves plenty of time.
- With manual filing, you will be required to send the physical Income Tax Returns to the tax office, which can be tedious and time-consuming.
Given the benefits of online filing, it is advised that you file your income tax returns online as you will save time as well as energy that would otherwise be wasted on running around to tax offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the filing of income tax returns done online?
A separate portal has been established by the Income Tax Department where individuals can file their returns electronically. The portal is www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.
- How do you distinguish between e-payment and e-filing?
E-filing is the process of furnishing your income tax returns electronically while e-payment is the process through which you pay your tax online.
- What are the advantages of filing income tax returns?
It is the duty of every citizen to file his/her income tax returns. Moreover, income tax returns validate the creditworthiness and help financial institutions make an informed decision when it comes to the approval of credit.
- Will I have to file my income tax returns even if I have made a loss?
In case a loss has been sustained in a financial year, it can be carried forward to the following year so that it can be adjusted against the positive income in the following year(s). A loss can be claimed if you have earned a negative income in any given financial year.
- What is the due date to file returns for a corporate employee?
Corporate employees will have to file their income tax returns by the 30th of November of the assessment year.
- Can I file my returns after the due date?
Yes, in case you failed to file your returns within the due date, you can file it later but you will also have to pay a penalty along with interest.
- Will the excess tax that I have paid be refunded?
Yes, you can claim a refund on the excess tax paid by filing your income tax returns. You will receive the refund in your bank account via ECS transfer.
- Should I attach any documents with my income tax returns?
You will not be required to attach any documents with your returns, but you will have to submit them whenever the tax authorities demand them.
- Is there a help desk of the Income Tax Department?
If you have any queries you can call 1800 4250 0025.
- What is the due date to file returns for working partners of firms?
Working partners of firms will have to file their returns by the 30th of September of the assessment year.
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