The Income Tax Department of India has announced the online availability of ITR-1 and ITR-4 forms for the assessment year 2025-26 on its official e-filing portal. This update follows the recent release of excel utilities for the same forms, aimed at easing the filing process for taxpayers by providing prefilled data for key details.

Simplified Filing with Prefilled Data

By enabling taxpayers to file their returns using prefilled data, the department aims to reduce manual errors and streamline the entire process. Prefilled information includes basic taxpayer details and income data sourced from various government records, making it easier and quicker for individuals to complete their returns.

Extended Deadline to September 15, 2025

To accommodate major changes in ITR forms, necessary portal upgrades, and to reduce the pressure on taxpayers and tax professionals during the peak filing season, the government has extended the last date for filing income tax returns to September 15, 2025, instead of the usual July 31 deadline. This extension offers taxpayers additional time to comply without facing penalties.

Who Can Use ITR-1 (Sahaj)?

The revised ITR-1 form is designed for individuals with income from:

• Salary

• One house property

• Other sources like interest income

• Long-term capital gains (LTCG) up to ₹1.25 lakh under Section 112A where no tax is payable

This update, introduced in April 2025, helps small investors who previously had to use the more complex ITR-2 form to file their returns.

However, individuals with:

• Short-term capital gains

• Taxable LTCG

• Sale of property or losses to carry forward
  cannot use ITR-1 and must file using other applicable forms.

Who Can Use ITR-4?

The ITR-4 form is meant for:

• Resident individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and firms (excluding LLPs)

• Those with income up to ₹50 lakh

• Individuals with business income under presumptive taxation schemes (Sections 44AD, 44ADA, 44AE)

• LTCG up to ₹1.25 lakh under Section 112A (non-taxable)

However, the following cannot use ITR-4:

• Company directors

• Owners of unlisted shares

• Taxpayers with foreign income/assets or high agricultural income

Important Tips for Taxpayers

Taxpayers must carefully select the correct ITR form based on their income type and financial profile to avoid filing errors. Using the wrong form could lead to delays or penalties. The prefilled data feature helps minimize mistakes but verifying all details before submission remains crucial.

Conclusion

The Income Tax Department’s move to enable online filing of ITR-1 and ITR-4 with prefilled data and the extension of the filing deadline to September 15, 2025, reflects a commitment to make tax compliance simpler and more taxpayer-friendly. This step is especially beneficial for small investors and businesses opting for presumptive taxation, facilitating easier and more accurate return filing.

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