Do you actually need a CA?
If you are a salaried employee with Form 16, bank interest, maybe one home loan, and no capital gains — you can file yourself on incometax.gov.in. Millions of Indians do every July.
A CA becomes worth it when your case has capital gains, F&O trading, foreign income, multiple properties, or business books. This guide is for the first group — the "I just want to file cleanly before the deadline" crowd.
We are not affiliated with the Income Tax Department. LastMinute ITR is a companion that helps you prepare — you still submit and e-verify on the government portal.
What you need on the table
Before you open the portal, gather:
- Form 16 (Part A + Part B) from every employer if you changed jobs — see two Form 16s guide
- AIS and Form 26AS from incometax.gov.in — AIS vs 26AS explained
- Bank statements or interest certificates for FD/savings interest
- Rent receipts and landlord PAN if claiming HRA in old regime
- Investment proofs if you choose old vs new regime with 80C/80D
Step-by-step: file without a CA
1. Pick the right ITR form
Salary + one house + simple interest → often ITR-1 (Sahaj). Sold shares or have foreign assets → ITR-2. Wrong form is mistake #1 — read ITR-1 salaried guide.
2. Compare old vs new regime on your numbers
Do not pick regime from a WhatsApp forward. Run both sides with your actual salary, rent, and investments. Old vs new regime guide walks through the logic.
3. Reconcile AIS before typing anything
Download AIS and circle every line not in your draft. Missing FD interest is the most common DIY trap — AIS mismatch guide.
4. Use a companion for imports, not auto-filing
Upload Form 16 to reduce typing errors. Verify every parsed field against Part B. Form 16 upload workflow explains limits — no tool files on ITD for you.
5. Pay balance tax, then e-verify
If TDS did not cover full liability (common after job change), pay via challan before filing. Filing without e-verification within 30 days makes the return invalid.
What you should do
- Start with Form 16 + AIS on the same day — reconcile TDS across all three documents
- Compare regimes before locking deductions
- File on incometax.gov.in yourself; keep acknowledgment PDF for seven years
- Use LastMinute ITR free estimate to catch gaps, then copy verified figures to the portal
Common mistake
Assuming Form 16 is complete. It covers employer salary only — not FD interest, previous employer salary, or broker sales in AIS. Filing with just Form 16 while AIS shows extra income is how DIY filers get mismatch notices.
Another classic: each employer deducted TDS in isolation after a job change, so combined income pushes you into a higher slab with tax payable at filing — even when both Form 16s show zero balance.
When to stop DIY and call a CA
- Equity/MF sales, ESOP, or property sale
- F&O or crypto trading
- NRI/RNOR status or foreign bank accounts
- Tax audit or business income on books
FAQ
Is filing without a CA legal? Yes — individuals can file their own return. Accuracy is your responsibility.
Will I get maximum refund without a CA? Nobody guarantees refund amount. Correct reporting and TDS matching determine what ITD processes.
What does LastMinute ITR cost? Free tier covers estimates and checklists. Paid plans unlock the portal companion from ₹349 launch pricing — see pricing on site; final filing remains on incometax.gov.in.
Next steps
Read last-minute filing checklist if the deadline is close, then check your ITR with LastMinute.