Fast Guide to File Income Tax Return Without Form 16

The due date for filing ITR for AY 2019-20 is down the pike. Taxpayers are compiling various documents to file an ITR with correct figures. Most of the businessmen have hired professionals and purchased taxation & accounting software for e-file ITRs effortlessly and errorlessly. Salaried individuals are also under an obligation to file ITRs by using Form 16.
Form 16 is not only a basic document but an ad hoc for the salaried individuals for filing the income tax returns (ITR). Filing an ITR without Form 16 is beyond the bounds of possibility for salaried individuals.

In a few cases, salaried individuals do not get Form 16 for a specific year. The reason for the same can be shut down of the business by the employer, termination from a job before the time mentioned in the bond, or job change without completing the exit formalities.
In such cases when the salaried individual so not have Form 16, he/she needs to give many other documents as reference or endorsement to e-filing Income tax return.

Here we are presenting a step-by-step guide for salaried people to e-file an ITR in without Form 16.

Step 1: Computation of Income From Salary

Salary slips are the major source of information for the calculation of income from salary. Make sure to acquire monthly pay-slips from all the HR managers or employers of the organization you have worked for in the year. For this year as well, you will need to present the entire break-up of your income from salary.

Income from salary includes Gross salary (Salary in accordance with Section 17(1), Value of Perquisites, Profit in lieu of Salary, Allowances exempt u/s 10, Standard Deductions – Deductions u/s 16, Entertainment allowance (only for government employees) and Professional tax.

Generally, salary slips have all the figures except the amount of profit in lieu of salary and the value of perquisites as in many instances, the company does not furnish these figures in salary slips. So in such cases, one may request the HR or finance department to issue Form 12BA – The form which constitutes the details of the value of perquisites and amount of profit in lieu of salary given to the employee by the employer.

In addition to the information stated above, the salary slips contain the amount of all the allowances paid to the employee, tax deducted at source (TDS), the amount deducted towards provident fund (PF), etc.

Some Beneficial Points in this Regard:

Ensure to use the allowances that reduce your tax liabilities such as LTA, HRA, etc.
Compute the allowances, well-considering the partially exempt and fully exempt allowance.
Mention the tax-exempted allowances in ITR.
Avail the standard deduction of Rs 40,000 u/s 16 (ia) for the present year.

Step 2: Reconcilement of the deducted TDS with Form 26AS

Form 26AS encompasses the complete information of the TDS which is deducted on the salary income as well as on other incomes. So, the TDS amount present in the Form 26AS should not be matched with the individual sources such as salary slips for the TDS deducted on salary, TDS/interest certificate for TDS on fixed deposits (FDs), etc. However, the number of TDS deducted should be cross-checked with the TDS figures shown in Form 26AS. In case of any mismatch, the salaried individual should get in touch with the specific deductor.

Step 3: Computation of Income From House Property

The income generated from letting the house property on rent comes under this head. When you give a house owned by you on rent, the income which comes as rent is termed as rental income. And if you have availed any house loan on the property which you have given on rent or self-occupied property and you are paying interest on that house loan, then the deduction of the same can be availed and comes under this head.

Further, when an individual is an owner of two or more houses, he/she first needs to review the deemed let-out factor. If the individual is the one who is generating the rental income, then he/she is eligible to avail a flat deduction of 30 percent along with deduction of municipal tax from his/her rental income (if paid any).

Step 4: Computation of Income From Capital Gains

For computing the capital gains, an individual should get a summary statement from his/her broker for the gains from the sale of equities or equity-oriented mutual funds and should get the purchase and sale deed ready for the gains from the sale of land or building. The capital gain is exempt up to the limit of Rs. 1 lakh if it is held for a period exceeding a year and was sold out in FY 2018-19.

Note: One Can Not File a Tax Return Using ITR-1 When:

A) He/she has sold equity mutual funds and/or equity shares in FY 2018-19;
B) He/she is the owner of more than one house property.
C) He/she is holding investments in unlisted shares;

In the above-mentioned cases, an individual must e-file online ITR-2 or ITR-3.

Step 5: Computation of Income From Other Sources

Income from other sources constitutes the income earned as interest on various bank deposits such as FDs, savings, recurring or term deposits and interest on income tax refund, etc.

For this, one can consider his/her bank passbook which showcases the interest income and Form 26AS which displays interest on an income tax refund.

Note: This year an individual needs to state the source of interest income also from the drop-down menu which is present in the ITR form.

Step 6: Claim All The Deductions

Section 80C and 80D of the Income Tax Act provides various deductions for the individuals. Deduction for the PF, Life insurance, Equity-linked savings schemes, principal repayment of home loan etc can be claimed along with appropriate evidence u/s 80C, while deductions like medical insurance premium can be claimed u/s 80D.

The stated limit up to which a deduction under section 80C can be claimed is up to Rs 1.5 lakh. Similarly, other deductions also have prescribed limit up to which it can be availed.

Step 7: Calculation of Total Taxable Income

This is near to the final step in which the deductions are subtracted from the total income generated from various sources to get the final figure which is the total taxable income.

Step 8: Calculation of Income Tax Liability

Now the income tax liability applicable to the total taxable income is ascertained. It can be calculated with the use of an income tax calculator.

Step 9: Pay Additional Tax (if any)

When the total tax liability comes out to be more than the amount of tax already paid following the Form 26AS, then the remaining tax liability which is the additional obligation should be paid to the IT department.

Step 10: e-File Your Income Tax Return

This is the final destination to e-file an income tax return in the absence of Form 16. Make sure to e-verify it within the time-frame of 120 days of filing.

Wrapping Up: Although Form 16 is a prerequisite for a salaried individual to file an ITR, there is another way to file ITR when Form 16 for the year is not available with you. For that, you just to have the above-mentioned documents and follow the above mentioned step-by-step process. Keep in mind the due dates for filing ITR online and defend paying late filing fees u/s 234F for ITRs.

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