India has seven ITR forms, but individual taxpayers almost always land on one of four: ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3 or ITR-4. The wrong form makes your return defective under Section 139(9), and refiling under pressure is how people end up paying Section 234F fees. This wizard encodes the official eligibility rules straight from the CBDT ITR-form notifications published at incometaxindia.gov.in.
Decision wizard
Do you have income from business or profession?
Includes proprietorship, consultancy, freelance, F&O trading, rental of business assets.
The four ITR forms — who they are for
ITR-1 (Sahaj)
The simplest form. Available only to resident individuals (not HUFs) whose total income is up to ₹50 lakh, and whose income is limited to:
- Salary or pension
- One house property (no brought-forward loss)
- Other sources (FD/savings interest, family pension — not lottery/race winnings)
- Agricultural income up to ₹5,000
Anything beyond — capital gains, multiple houses, foreign assets, director status, unlisted shares, crypto — and ITR-1 is off the table.
ITR-2
For individuals and HUFs without business or professional income, but with any of the items that disqualify ITR-1. If you sold mutual funds, own two flats, hold ESOPs in a foreign parent, or earn director fees — ITR-2 is your form. Use our capital gains calculator to compute Schedule CG before filing.
ITR-3
For individuals and HUFs with income from business or profession, including:
- Proprietorship businesses outside the presumptive scheme
- Consultants and freelancers choosing regular books of accounts
- F&O traders (speculative + non-speculative business income)
- Partners receiving share of profit / remuneration from a firm
- Any case where a tax audit under Section 44AB is triggered
ITR-4 (Sugam)
For resident individuals, HUFs, and firms (other than LLP) reporting business or professional income under the presumptive taxation scheme:
- Section 44AD — businesses with turnover ≤ ₹3 crore, income deemed at 8% (or 6% for digital receipts)
- Section 44ADA — notified professionals (CAs, doctors, lawyers, architects, etc.) with gross receipts ≤ ₹75 lakh, income deemed at 50%
- Section 44AE — goods transporters
Total income must be ≤ ₹50 lakh. No capital gains, no foreign assets.
ITR-1 vs ITR-2 vs ITR-3 vs ITR-4 — side by side
| Criterion | ITR-1 | ITR-2 | ITR-3 | ITR-4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income ceiling | ₹50L | No cap | No cap | ₹50L |
| Salary/Pension | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| House property | 1 only | Multiple | Multiple | 1 only |
| Capital gains | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Business/profession | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (regular) | ✅ (presumptive) |
| Foreign assets/income | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| HUF eligible | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Crypto treated as “other source” — it is a Virtual Digital Asset under Sec 115BBH; gains go in Schedule VDA (ITR-2 / ITR-3).
- F&O losses hidden in ITR-2 — F&O is business income, push you straight to ITR-3 regardless of volume.
- Second house used by parents — still qualifies as a second house for ITR-1 purposes; use ITR-2.
- Director in unlisted company — always disqualifies ITR-1 even if income is modest.
Before you hit submit, verify tax liability with our income tax calculator, plan instalments via advance tax calculator, and reconcile TDS using our TDS calculator. The complete filing deadline matrix lives on the India tax calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ITR-1 and ITR-2?
ITR-1 (Sahaj) is for resident individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh from salary, one house property, and other sources like FD interest. The moment you have capital gains, more than one house, foreign income/assets, or income above ₹50 lakh, you must use ITR-2.
Can I use ITR-1 if I earn capital gains from mutual funds?
No. Any capital gain — listed equity, debt fund, crypto — automatically disqualifies ITR-1. You must file ITR-2 (or ITR-3 if you also have business income). Even a ₹100 LTCG from selling equity forces the shift.
Who should file ITR-4 (Sugam)?
ITR-4 Sugam is for resident individuals, HUFs, and firms (other than LLP) with business income taxed under the presumptive scheme — Section 44AD (turnover ≤ ₹3 cr), 44ADA (professionals with receipts ≤ ₹75 lakh), or 44AE (goods transporters). Total income must be ≤ ₹50 lakh.
When is ITR-3 applicable?
ITR-3 is for individuals and HUFs with income from business or profession, including cases where a tax audit under Section 44AB applies, or where the taxpayer opts out of the presumptive scheme, or earns from partnership firms (as partner).
What happens if I file the wrong ITR form?
The return is treated as defective under Section 139(9). The tax department issues a notice giving you 15 days (extendable) to file a revised return using the correct form. If not fixed, the original filing is considered invalid — penalty under Sec 234F applies, and you may lose refund eligibility.