Changes in ITR forms for Assessment Year 2017-18

Assessment Year 2017-18 has seen many changes regarding the ITR forms. The higlights of the changes made in the ITR forms is provided below:

  • The number of forms has been reduced from 9 to 7 by merging Forms ITR 2A, 2 and 3 into ITR 2.
  • The details that were filled in ITR 4 will now be filled in ITR 3 or we can say that ITR 4 is re-numbered to ITR 3.
  • ITR 4S is re-numbered as ITR 4
  • ITR 1 is now a one page form.
  • New field has been added in all the ITR forms to report the cash deposited during the period of demonetization (i.e. from November 9 to December 30, 2016).
  • New field has been added in ITR 1, 2, 3, 4 to quote the Adhaar number and enrollment number in case Adhaar is applied and not yet received.
  • New fields have been added in ITR 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 for reporting income, taxable at special rates under ‘Schedule OS’ (Section 115BB(Unexplained income), 115BBDA(taxable dividend), 115BBF (patent income))
  • A new field Section 80EE has been added under the heading deductions in ITR 2, 3, 4 for claiming deduction of additional Rs. 50,000 for payment of interest on housing loan to first time home buyers. (This deduction is in addition to Rs. 2 Lakhs exemption claimed u/s 24(b).
  • In case Deduction u/s 80EE is to be claimed by the individuals filing ITR 1, it will come under the heading ‘Any other’.
  • Detailed information like address of immovable property is to be filled for assets / liabilities in ITR 2, 3 and 4.
  • Separate columns have been added in ITR 4 for listing digital receipts and cash receipts.
  • New fields have been added in ITR 4 for professionals such as doctors, Charted accountants, lawyers, etc. who can declare minimum 50% of gross receipts as income.

Notes:

  1. It is mandatory to file ITRs in electronic form.
  2. ITR 1 and 4 can be filed in paper by:
  • An individual of the age of 80 years or more
  • Individual / HUF whose taxable income does not exceed Rs. 5 Lakhs and refund is not claimed.

To see the applicability of different ITR forms to different tax payers please visit:

Types of Income Tax Returns and Their Applicability

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