A Form Ready Reckoner is a quick-reference guide that helps Indian taxpayers identify the correct Income Tax Return (ITR) form applicable to their specific income profile. With multiple ITR forms (ITR-1 through ITR-7) and frequent changes in eligibility criteria, choosing the wrong form can lead to a defective return notice from the Income Tax Department. This ready reckoner simplifies the process by matching your income sources, residential status, and asset holdings to the appropriate ITR form, ensuring accurate and hassle-free tax filing.

The ITR form you should file depends on your income sources and taxpayer category: ITR-1 (Sahaj) for salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh from salary, one house property, and other sources; ITR-2 for individuals/HUFs with capital gains, foreign income, or more than one house property; ITR-3 for individuals/HUFs with business or professional income; ITR-4 (Sugam) for presumptive taxation under Section 44AD/44ADA; ITR-5 for firms, LLPs, and AOPs; ITR-6 for companies; and ITR-7 for trusts, institutions, and political parties. Use this ready reckoner to confirm your correct form.

The due dates for filing Income Tax Returns for FY 2026-27 (AY 2027-28) are: July 31, 2027 for individuals and HUFs not requiring audit; October 31, 2027 for businesses and professionals requiring audit under Section 44AB; and November 30, 2027 for taxpayers requiring transfer pricing certification under Section 92E. Filing after the due date attracts a late fee under Section 234F (up to ₹5,000 for income above ₹5 lakh and ₹1,000 for income up to ₹5 lakh) and interest under Section 234A at 1% per month on outstanding tax.

ITR-1 (Sahaj) can be filed by resident individuals whose total income does not exceed ₹50 lakh and income comprises only of: salary/pension, income from one house property (excluding brought forward losses), and income from other sources (like interest, dividend, family pension). It cannot be used by individuals who are directors in a company, have invested in unlisted equity shares, have foreign income/assets, have capital gains, or have business/professional income. NRIs and RNORs are also not eligible for ITR-1.

ITR-3 is for individuals and HUFs having income from business or profession, requiring detailed disclosure of profit & loss accounts, balance sheet, and actual income computation. ITR-4 (Sugam) is for those opting for presumptive taxation under Section 44AD (business with turnover up to ₹2 crore/₹3 crore for digital transactions) or Section 44ADA (professionals with gross receipts up to ₹75 lakh), where income is presumed at a fixed percentage of turnover. ITR-4 is simpler as it does not require detailed financial statements, making it ideal for small business owners and freelancers.

You should file ITR-2 instead of ITR-1 if you have any of the following: capital gains from sale of shares, mutual funds, property, or other assets; income from more than one house property; foreign income or foreign assets including foreign bank accounts; directorship in a company; investment in unlisted equity shares; agricultural income exceeding ₹5,000; or if you are a non-resident or resident but not ordinarily resident (RNOR). ITR-2 does not cover business or professional income — for that, you need ITR-3.

ITR-5 is filed by firms, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Association of Persons (AOPs), Body of Individuals (BOIs), and artificial juridical persons — but not by companies or those filing ITR-7. ITR-6 is exclusively for companies registered under the Companies Act, other than companies claiming exemption under Section 11 (income from property held for charitable/religious purposes). ITR-7 is for trusts, political parties, institutions, colleges, and entities required to file returns under Section 139(4A), 139(4B), 139(4C), or 139(4D), typically claiming tax exemptions on charitable or religious activities.