Types of ITR Forms in India – Which ITR Should You File?

Updated on: 16 Apr 2025

To declare earned income and pay the applicable tax to the Income Tax Department, every taxpayer has to file one of the seven types of Income Tax Return forms within the prescribed due date. These ITR forms contain the taxpayer’s income, expenses and other essential tax details, helping the Department and the taxpayer calculate and assess the tax liabilities easily.

The ITR form that you need to file depends on your total income, source of income and your category. Filing the returns on time helps avoid the penalties levied for delayed returns and also aids in claiming tax refunds.

To understand these forms and which ITR form you need to choose, read on.

An Overview of Seven Types of ITR Forms

Here are the highlights of different types of Income Tax Return forms:

ITR-1 or the Sahaj Form

If you are a resident individual earning an income of less than or equal to ₹50 lakhs, you need to file this form. Here is a quick snapshot of its applicability:

All individuals earning income from pension or salary
Individuals dependent on the income from a single housing property (exemption on carry forward of losses from the previous year)
Individuals with no income from business or capital gains
Individuals earning an agricultural income of up to ₹5,000
Individuals with income from other sources

However, if you are a non-resident Indian or earning income from multiple house properties, you are not eligible to file ITR-1.

ITR-2

ITR-2 is one of the types of Income Tax Return forms that specifically suit all individuals and HUF entities falling under the following applicability parameters:

If your income exceeds ₹50 lakhs
If your income is generated through capital gains, multiple properties, salary, pension, crypto (recorded as capital gains) and other sources
If your agricultural income exceeds ₹5,000
If you earn income from foreign assets
If you are an Individual Director in a company
If there are a tax deduction u/s 194N
If you are a resident not ordinarily resident (RNOR) and non-resident

If you are an individual with income from Business or Profession, you cannot file ITR-2. You will have to file from other applicable ITR forms.

ITR-3

This type of ITR form is exclusively suited for HUF entities and individual taxpayers meeting the required eligibility criteria:

Earning income from any profession or business
Generating income by being a partner in a firm
Earning income from investments via unlisted equity shares
Generating income as a director of the company
Earning income from house/property, pension/salary and other sources

Simply put, HUFs or individuals not eligible for ITR-1, 2 and 4 should file ITR-3.

ITR-4 or the Sugam Form

Wondering which ITR form to file as a business owner or professional earning up to ₹50 lakhs? The answer is the Sugam Form. Here is the applicability of this ITR form for individuals, HUFs and partnership firms (other than LLPs):

Taxpayers who have opted for the presumptive tax scheme under Sections 44ADA, 44AD and 44AE of the Income Tax Act 1961
Taxpayers generating income from their business
Taxpayers with no income through capital gains
Taxpayers earning income applicable under ITR-1 (rent income for not more than one house property)
Taxpayers generating income from sources within India

ITR-5

All trusts, business firms and other corporate entities must file their returns using this form. The following entities can file ITR-5:

Artificial judicial persons
Limited Liability Partnerships
Association of Persons
Body of Individuals
Business trusts

ITR-6

This ITR form is ideal for companies to file their tax returns electronically. All companies that do not claim exemption as per Section 11 of the Income Tax Act can file this form.

ITR-7

All individuals and entities who need to file their returns under the following sections must choose file ITR-7:

Section 139(4A): Individuals generating income from property or other assets for charity/trust/religious purposes
Section 139(4B): Political parties with income exceeding the maximum amount of income not chargeable without the application of Section 194A
Section 139(4C): Scientific research associations, hospitals and medical institutions, universities and other educational institutions and media agencies
Section 139(4D): Educational intuitions that are not required to furnish income or losses
Section 139(4E): Business trusts that are not required to furnish income or losses
Section 139(4F): An investment fund referred to in Section 115UB of the Income Tax Act of 1961

Which ITR Should You File?

Here is a tabular overview of which type of Income Tax Return form you need to file:

Type of Form	Eligible for	Source of Income
ITR-1	Resident Individuals and HUFs	Salary, Rent from House Property and Income from Other Sources
ITR-2	Individuals and HUFs	Salary, Rent from House Property, Income from Capital Gains, Foreign Assets and Other Sources
ITR-3	Individuals, HUFs and partners in a firm	Salary, Rent from House Property, Income from Capital Gains, Business or Profession, Foreign Assets and Other Sources
ITR-4	Individuals, HUFs and Firms	Salary, Rent from One House Property, Income from Business or Profession (Under Presumptive Tax) and Other Sources
ITR-5	Partnership Firm or LLP	Rent from House Property, Income from Capital Gains, Business or Profession, Foreign Assets and Other Sources
ITR-6	Company	Rent from House Property, Income from Capital Gains, Business or Profession, Foreign Assets and Other Sources
ITR-7	Trusts, Political Parties, Hospitals, Media Agencies and Educational Institutions	Rent from House Property, Income from Capital Gains, Business or Profession, Foreign Assets and Other Sources

Why Should You File ITR?

You should file an ITR within the predetermined date for the following reasons:

Filing ITR is legally binding on eligible taxpayers
It is essential to claim a tax refund
You need to furnish ITRs if you want to apply for visas or loans
You cannot carry forward the loss under capital gains from profession/business unless you file ITR on time

Having clarity about these ITR forms helps you file the right form during an assessment year, avoiding the hassles of going through the process again. Similarly, you need to be aware of the various tax benefits you can earn through investments and loans. Knowing the essential details can help you claim tax exemptions and save money.

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FAQs on Types of ITR

Which ITR to file for a salaried person?

ITR-1 or the Sahaj form is ideal for a salaried person earning income below ₹50 lakhs and ITR-2 when earning income above ₹50 lakhs.

The right form to file if you earn a salary and make capital gains from share trading is ITR-2.

What are the different types of ITR filing?

There are seven different types of forms to file, out of which the first four apply to individuals and the rest to companies, trusts and other entities.

What are the types of ITR forms?

The seven types of Income Tax Return forms include the following:

ITR-1 (Sahaj)
ITR-2
ITR-3
ITR-4 (Sugam)
ITR-5
ITR-6
ITR-7

What is ITR-1 vs ITR-2?

ITR-1 is applicable for individuals earning income below ₹50 lakhs, while ITR-2 is ideal for individuals generating income above ₹50 lakhs.

Which one to select: ITR-1 or ITR-4?

If you are an individual earning income of up to ₹50 lakhs, you need to file ITR-1. On the other hand, if you are running a business generating an income of up to ₹50 lakhs, ITR-4 is the form you need to file.