Filing your income tax return (ITR) is an essential part of being a responsible taxpayer. While salaried individuals and freelancers can use online portals to self-file, consulting a Chartered Accountant (CA) ensures accuracy, helps save tax legally, and avoids penalties.
If you’re wondering how to file income tax with the help of a CA in India, this article breaks it down in a simple, step-by-step format.
Why File with a CA Instead of Doing It Yourself?
Before diving into the process, let’s understand the advantages of involving a CA in your income tax filing:
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Expert tax planning and deduction strategies
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Accurate calculation of income, expenses, and exemptions
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Avoid errors, notices, and legal complications
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Proper classification of income (business, capital gains, other sources)
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Filing of complex returns (especially if you have foreign income, stock market trades, or multiple businesses)
Whether you’re a salaried employee, freelancer, business owner, or NRI, a CA can make the process of how to file income tax much easier and safer.
Step-by-Step Process: How to File Income Tax with a CA
Step 1: Book a Consultation
Start by booking a consultation with a certified Chartered Accountant. Many professionals now offer virtual meetings and document collection, so you can do everything online from the comfort of your home.
Step 2: Share Your Basic Information
During the first interaction, the CA will ask for basic personal and financial information, such as:
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Name, PAN, Aadhaar
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Address, contact details
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Employment or business status
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Type of income earned (salary, capital gains, house property, etc.)
This information helps them determine which ITR form is applicable to you (ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3, etc.).
Step 3: Submit Required Documents
To proceed, you’ll need to submit the following documents via email, WhatsApp, or a shared folder:
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Form 16 (if salaried)
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PAN and Aadhaar card
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Bank statements
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Interest certificates (FD, savings, etc.)
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Capital gains reports (from mutual funds, shares, crypto, etc.)
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Property rental details (if any)
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Business income/expense details (if self-employed)
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Investment proofs (for 80C, 80D, etc.)
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Previous year ITR copy (optional but useful)
This is a key part of the process for how to file income tax through a CA—ensuring your documents are complete and accurate.
Step 4: Review and Confirm Tax Computation
Once the CA has reviewed your documents, they will prepare your tax computation sheet. This includes:
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Gross total income
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Exemptions and deductions
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Net taxable income
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Tax liability or refund status
You’ll be asked to verify this summary and confirm that all the data is correct.
Step 5: Filing the ITR Online
After you approve the computation, the CA will:
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Prepare the applicable ITR form
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File the return electronically on the Income Tax e-Filing portal
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Share the acknowledgment (ITR-V) with you for verification
In many cases, you can e-verify the return through Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or bank account-based verification.
Step 6: Post-Filing Support and Tax Planning
After filing, a good CA will:
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Guide you on how to save more tax next year
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Assist with refund tracking
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Help you respond to any notices from the IT department (if any)
This holistic approach makes hiring a CA a smart decision, especially for people who want clarity and peace of mind around how to file income tax in India.
When Should You File Income Tax?
The ITR filing deadline is typically 31st July for individuals and non-audit businesses. However, filing early has benefits:
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Faster refunds
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Better financial planning
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Avoiding last-minute errors
Late filing can lead to penalties under Section 234F, so don’t delay!
Conclusion
Understanding how to file income tax with the help of a CA can make your tax journey smooth, stress-free, and more financially optimized. A CA not only files your return accurately but also helps you structure your income and expenses better for the future.
