The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2024 is approaching rapidly. To avoid penalties and ensure timely submission, taxpayers should complete their filings by July 31. This year, a new and convenient option is available: filing your ITR via WhatsApp, thanks to ClearTax. This guide will walk you through the process of using this innovative service.
How Does the New WhatsApp Facility Work?
ClearTax has introduced a user-friendly way to file your ITR via WhatsApp, aiming to simplify the tax filing process, particularly for low-income blue-collar workers. This initiative leverages WhatsApp’s widespread use to make tax filing more accessible.
Quote from Archit Gupta: “By leveraging the familiarity and widespread use of WhatsApp, we’re making tax filing more accessible and user-friendly than ever,” says Archit Gupta, founder and CEO of ClearTax.
Available Forms: Currently, this service supports ITR-1 and ITR-4 forms.
Supported Languages
The WhatsApp ITR filing service supports 10 languages, including:
- English
- Hindi
- Kannada
This allows users to complete the filing process in their preferred language, making the process more accessible and inclusive.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Your ITR via WhatsApp
Step 1: Start the Process
- Send a Message: Contact ClearTax on WhatsApp at +91 89512 62134.
Step 2: Choose Your Language
- Language Selection: Choose from available languages (English, Hindi, Kannada).
Step 3: Provide PAN Card Number
- Enter PAN: Share your PAN card number for identification.
Step 4: Provide Aadhaar Number
- Enter Aadhaar: Submit your Aadhaar number for verification.
Step 5: Share Your Email Address
- Enter Email: Provide your email address for communication and verification purposes.
Step 6: Enter Personal Details
- Provide Details: Include your father’s name, locality, bank account number, date of birth, pin code, etc.
Step 7: Verify Your Email
- Receive OTP: You will get an OTP on your email. Share this OTP in the WhatsApp chat.
Step 8: Tax Information Fetching
- Initiate Fetching: ClearTax will start fetching your tax information.
Step 9: Verify Aadhaar
- Receive Aadhaar OTP: An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked phone number for verification.
Step 10: Review Tax Information
- Review Summary: A summary of your tax information will be provided. If everything looks correct, click ‘Do e-file’.
Step 11: Handle Payment
- Pending Payment: If you need to pay tax, you’ll receive a message stating: “E-filing initiated, but payment is pending.”
- Complete Payment: Click the provided link to make the payment, if applicable. Skip if no payment is required.
Step 12: Proceed to E-file
- Final E-filing: Once payment is made (if needed), click ‘Proceed to e-file’.
Step 13: Verify Tax Filing
- Tax Verification: Choose ‘Tax Verification’. An OTP will be generated; share this OTP to complete the process.
Documents Required
Ensure you have the following documents ready:
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar Card
- Email ID
- Bank Account Details (for refund)
Note: You can submit these documents via images, audio, or text through WhatsApp.
Understanding ITR Forms
ITR-1 Form (SAHAJ)
Eligibility:
- Individuals earning from salary, pension, one house property, or other sources (excluding betting, gambling, and lotteries).
- Agricultural income up to Rs 5,000.
- Income of up to Rs 50 lakh, including clubbed income from a spouse or minor.
ITR-4 Form (Sugam)
Eligibility:
- Individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and Partnership Firms with income from business or profession.
- Applicable if opting for presumptive taxation under Section 44AE, 44ADA, or 44AD of the Income Tax Act.
Penalties for Late Filing
Maximum Penalty
- For Income up to Rs 5 Lakh: Maximum penalty of Rs 1,000.
- For Higher Incomes: Penalty up to Rs 5,000.
Consequences of Late Filing
- Loss Carry Forward: Inability to carry forward certain losses, except for house property losses.
- Refund Delays: Potential delays in receiving refunds, affecting financial planning and cash flow.
- Interest on Unpaid Taxes: Additional interest under Section 234A at 1% per month or part thereof.
Conclusion: Filing your ITR 2024 via WhatsApp is a convenient and modern solution that simplifies the process, particularly for low-income workers. By following this step-by-step guide, you can ensure timely submission and avoid penalties. Make sure to complete the process by July 31 to meet the deadline and benefit from this innovative filing method so ensure to File ITR 2024 via WhatsApp latest by 31st July.
