Excel Utilities and Online Filing Enabled

The Income Tax Department has officially enabled ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-4 (Sugam) for Assessment Year 2026–27 on the Income Tax e-Filing Portal. Taxpayers can now start filing their Income Tax Returns using both:

Online Mode
Excel Utility

through the official portal of Income Tax Department e-Filing Portal

Big Relief for Salaried Persons & Small Businesses

This update is especially important for:

Salaried employees
Pensioners
Freelancers
Small business owners
Professionals under presumptive taxation
Small taxpayers filing simple returns

Now taxpayers can prepare and submit their returns well before the due date and avoid last-minute portal rush.

Which ITR Forms Are Enabled?

1. ITR-1 (Sahaj)

ITR-1 can be filed by resident individuals having:

Income from salary/pension
Two house property
Other sources (interest etc.)
Agricultural income up to ₹5,000
Total income up to ₹50 lakh

Who Cannot File ITR-1?

A taxpayer cannot use ITR-1 if he/she has:

Capital gains income
Foreign assets/income
Business income
More than one house property
Director in company
Unlisted shares investment

2. ITR-4 (Sugam)

ITR-4 is applicable for:

Resident Individuals
HUFs
Firms (other than LLP)

having income under presumptive taxation schemes:

Section 44AD
Section 44ADA
Section 44AE

with total income up to ₹50 lakh.

Suitable For

Small traders
Shopkeepers
Freelancers
Consultants
Professionals
Small transport businesses

Filing Modes Now Available

The Income Tax Department has enabled:

✔ Online Filing

Taxpayers can directly file returns online without downloading utility.

✔ Excel Utility

Users who prefer offline preparation can download the Excel utility, prepare JSON file and upload it on portal.

This is useful for:

Tax professionals
CAs
Bulk return preparation
Detailed verification before upload

Important Documents Required Before Filing

Before filing ITR, taxpayers should keep ready:

PAN Card
Aadhaar Card
Form 16
AIS/TIS
Form 26AS
Bank statements
Interest certificates
Investment proofs
Home loan certificate (if applicable)

Verify AIS & Form 26AS Carefully

Many taxpayers make mistakes by filing return only on the basis of Form 16.

Before filing, always verify:

Interest income
Dividend income
TDS entries
Mutual fund transactions
Stock market transactions
High value transactions reflected in AIS

Mismatch may result in:

Income tax notice
Refund delay
Defective return notice

New Tax Regime Still Default

For AY 2026–27, the New Tax Regime continues as default regime for individuals.

However, eligible taxpayers can still opt for old regime by filing the required option within prescribed timelines.

Taxpayers should compare:

Deductions available
Total taxable income
Rebate eligibility
Effective tax liability

before selecting regime.

Due Date for ITR Filing

The due date for filing ITR for most non-audit taxpayers for AY 2026–27 is expected to be:

31st July 2026

However, taxpayers should avoid waiting till last date because:

Portal traffic increases heavily
Refund processing may get delayed
Chances of filing mistakes increase

Benefits of Early ITR Filing

Faster Refund Processing

Early filers generally receive refunds quicker.

Easy Loan Approval

ITR acts as income proof for:

Home loans
Car loans
Business loans
Visa applications

Avoid Last-Minute Errors

Early filing provides enough time to revise mistakes if required.

Better Financial Planning

Tax liability and refund position become clear early.

How to File ITR-1 or ITR-4?

Step 1

Visit
Income Tax e-Filing Portal

Step 2

Step 3

Go to:
e-File → Income Tax Return → File Income Tax Return

Step 4

Select:

Assessment Year: 2026–27
Applicable ITR Form

Step 5

Choose:

Online Mode OR
Offline Utility

Step 6

Validate details and submit return.

Step 7

Complete E-Verification through:

Aadhaar OTP
Net banking
Demat account
Bank account EVC

Important Advice for Taxpayers

Before final submission:

Cross-check bank account details
Verify TDS credit
Match AIS/TIS data
Check deduction claims properly
Confirm tax regime selection carefully

A wrong ITR form or incorrect disclosure may lead to notices from the Income Tax Department.

Conclusion

The activation of ITR-1 and ITR-4 for AY 2026–27 is an important step for taxpayers and professionals. Since both online filing and Excel utilities are now available, eligible taxpayers can start filing returns immediately and avoid last-minute complications.

Early filing not only helps in faster refunds but also reduces chances of notices and errors. Taxpayers should carefully verify all income details before submitting the return.

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ITR-1 & ITR-4 for AY 2026–27 Now Live on Income Tax Portal