Has the I-T Department Made Online Filing with ITR-2 Easier with Pre-Filled Data?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ITR-2 is now available for online filing.
- Pre-filled data simplifies the filing process.
- Taxpayers can file from anywhere with internet access.
- Deadline extended to September 15 for AY2025-26.
- Excel utilities require JSON file uploads.
New Delhi, July 18 (NationPress) The Income Tax Department has announced that taxpayers can now utilize the ITR-2 form for income tax return filing through the e-filing portal, complete with some pre-filled data. This development, confirmed on Friday, allows all individuals, including those with taxable capital gains, to conveniently file their returns online starting today.
The Income Tax Department shared on its official X handle, “Attention Taxpayers! The ITR-2 form is now available for online filing with pre-filled data at the e-filing portal.”
ITR-2 is designed for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) earning income from various sources such as capital gains, multiple properties, salaries or pensions, and cryptocurrencies, excluding business or professional income.
For those opting for Excel utilities, it is necessary to generate and upload a JSON file, which is crucial for importing pre-filled return data into the offline utility. Nevertheless, the online utility is generally regarded as more user-friendly.
The online utility enables filing ITRs from any location with internet access, providing convenience to taxpayers. It significantly reduces the time spent compared to manual filing, as it guides users through the process while pre-filling certain details.
On July 11, the Income Tax Department introduced Excel utilities for ITR-2 and ITR-3 for the Assessment Year 2025–26 (AY25-26), following the earlier rollout of utilities for ITR-1 and ITR-4.
ITR-1 is intended for resident individuals with income up to Rs 50 lakh, while ITR-2 is for individuals or HUFs who are not eligible for ITR-1. ITR-3 caters to those involved in business or professions requiring detailed accounting, and ITR-4 targets resident individuals, HUFs, or firms (excluding LLPs) with business income not exceeding Rs 50 lakh. Additionally, ITR-5 is designated for firms, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), and Associations of Persons (AOPs).
Furthermore, the Department has enabled income tax audits using 3CA-3CD and 3CB-3CD on the e-filing portal.
The deadline for filing ITRs for AY2025-26 has been extended to September 15, an increase from the previous deadline of July 31.