Which ITR Form Should You File? AY 2026-27 | CGK & Co<\/title>\n<style>\n @import url('https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Cormorant+Garamond:ital,wght@0,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,600&family=DM+Sans:wght@300;400;500;600&display=swap');\n\n *, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n\n :root {\n --navy: #0f1928;\n --navy2: #1a2744;\n --navy3: #243050;\n --gold: #b8972a;\n --gold-lt: #d4b050;\n --gold-dim:#7a6118;\n --cream: #f9f6f0;\n --rule: #e0d9ce;\n --ink: #1e1e1e;\n --muted: #6b6b6b;\n --white: #ffffff;\n --green: #1a5c3a;\n --green-lt:#edf7f1;\n }\n\n html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }\n\n body {\n font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif;\n background: var(--cream);\n color: var(--ink);\n font-size: 15px;\n line-height: 1.7;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 HEADER \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .site-header {\n background: var(--navy);\n padding: 18px 48px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: space-between;\n border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(184,151,42,0.2);\n position: sticky;\n top: 0;\n z-index: 200;\n }\n .firm-name {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n color: var(--gold-lt);\n font-size: 1.1rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.04em;\n }\n .firm-sub {\n font-size: 0.6rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.35);\n letter-spacing: 0.12em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n margin-top: 2px;\n }\n .header-tag {\n font-size: 0.6rem;\n color: var(--gold);\n letter-spacing: 0.14em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n border: 1px solid rgba(184,151,42,0.35);\n padding: 5px 12px;\n border-radius: 2px;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 HERO \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .hero {\n background: var(--navy);\n padding: 72px 48px 64px;\n position: relative;\n overflow: hidden;\n }\n .hero::before {\n content: '';\n position: absolute;\n top: -100px; right: -100px;\n width: 480px; height: 480px;\n border: 1px solid rgba(184,151,42,0.07);\n border-radius: 50%;\n pointer-events: none;\n }\n .hero-inner { max-width: 860px; margin: 0 auto; position: relative; z-index: 1; }\n .eyebrow {\n font-size: 0.63rem;\n letter-spacing: 0.2em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gold);\n margin-bottom: 18px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 10px;\n }\n .eyebrow::before {\n content: '';\n display: block;\n width: 22px; height: 1px;\n background: var(--gold); opacity: 0.7;\n }\n .hero h1 {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 3.2rem);\n color: var(--white);\n font-weight: 600;\n line-height: 1.12;\n margin-bottom: 18px;\n }\n .hero h1 em { color: var(--gold-lt); font-style: italic; }\n .hero-sub {\n font-size: 0.95rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5);\n max-width: 560px;\n line-height: 1.7;\n margin-bottom: 28px;\n }\n .hero-meta {\n font-size: 0.7rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n letter-spacing: 0.06em;\n }\n .hero-meta span { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55); }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 MAIN \u2500\u2500 *\/\n main {\n max-width: 920px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n padding: 60px 24px 100px;\n }\n\n p { margin-bottom: 1.3em; color: #2a2a2a; }\n\n .lead {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.22rem;\n line-height: 1.65;\n color: var(--navy);\n border-left: 3px solid var(--gold);\n padding-left: 20px;\n margin-bottom: 48px;\n }\n\n h2 {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.65rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: var(--navy);\n margin: 52px 0 16px;\n letter-spacing: -0.01em;\n }\n\n hr.rule {\n border: none;\n border-top: 1px solid var(--rule);\n margin: 48px 0;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 INTERACTIVE FLOWCHART \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .flowchart-wrap {\n margin: 40px 0 56px;\n }\n .flowchart-title {\n font-size: 0.63rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.16em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gold);\n margin-bottom: 20px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 10px;\n }\n .flowchart-title::before {\n content: '';\n display: block;\n width: 20px; height: 1px;\n background: var(--gold);\n }\n\n .flow {\n display: flex;\n flex-direction: column;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 0;\n }\n\n \/* nodes *\/\n .node {\n position: relative;\n width: 100%;\n display: flex;\n justify-content: center;\n }\n\n .node-box {\n border-radius: 6px;\n padding: 14px 24px;\n font-size: 0.88rem;\n font-weight: 500;\n text-align: center;\n min-width: 180px;\n max-width: 320px;\n position: relative;\n transition: transform 0.15s, box-shadow 0.15s;\n }\n .node-box:hover { transform: translateY(-2px); box-shadow: 0 6px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.12); }\n\n .node-start {\n background: var(--gold);\n color: var(--navy);\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.15rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n letter-spacing: 0.04em;\n padding: 14px 36px;\n border-radius: 40px;\n min-width: 140px;\n }\n\n .node-question {\n background: var(--navy2);\n color: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid rgba(184,151,42,0.3);\n border-radius: 8px;\n }\n\n .node-itr {\n background: var(--navy);\n border: 2px solid var(--gold);\n color: var(--gold-lt);\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.3rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n min-width: 130px;\n border-radius: 6px;\n }\n .node-itr .itr-sub {\n display: block;\n font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif;\n font-size: 0.68rem;\n font-weight: 400;\n color: rgba(212,176,80,0.7);\n margin-top: 2px;\n letter-spacing: 0.04em;\n }\n\n .node-warning {\n background: var(--cream);\n border: 1px solid var(--rule);\n border-left: 3px solid var(--gold);\n color: var(--ink);\n font-size: 0.82rem;\n text-align: left;\n max-width: 400px;\n border-radius: 4px;\n }\n .node-warning ul { padding-left: 16px; margin-top: 6px; }\n .node-warning li { margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8rem; color: var(--muted); }\n .node-warning .warn-label {\n font-size: 0.63rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.12em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gold-dim);\n margin-bottom: 6px;\n }\n\n .node-special {\n background: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid var(--rule);\n color: var(--ink);\n font-size: 0.82rem;\n text-align: left;\n max-width: 360px;\n border-radius: 4px;\n }\n .node-special .spec-label {\n font-size: 0.63rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.12em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gold);\n margin-bottom: 6px;\n }\n .node-special ul { padding-left: 0; list-style: none; }\n .node-special li {\n font-size: 0.8rem;\n color: var(--muted);\n padding: 3px 0;\n display: flex;\n gap: 8px;\n }\n .node-special li::before { content: '\u2192'; color: var(--gold); font-weight: 700; flex-shrink: 0; }\n\n \/* connectors and branches *\/\n .connector {\n width: 2px;\n background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(184,151,42,0.5), rgba(184,151,42,0.2));\n height: 28px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n }\n\n .branch-row {\n display: grid;\n width: 100%;\n gap: 16px;\n position: relative;\n margin: 0;\n }\n .branch-row.two-col { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }\n .branch-row.three-col { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr; }\n\n .branch-col {\n display: flex;\n flex-direction: column;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 0;\n position: relative;\n }\n\n .branch-label {\n font-size: 0.68rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.08em;\n color: var(--gold);\n padding: 3px 10px;\n background: rgba(184,151,42,0.1);\n border: 1px solid rgba(184,151,42,0.2);\n border-radius: 12px;\n margin-bottom: 8px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n }\n\n \/* horizontal rule between branches *\/\n .h-rule {\n width: 100%;\n height: 1px;\n background: linear-gradient(to right, transparent, rgba(184,151,42,0.3), transparent);\n margin: 4px 0;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 ITR CARDS SECTION \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .itr-grid {\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(240px, 1fr));\n gap: 18px;\n margin: 32px 0;\n }\n\n .itr-card {\n background: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid var(--rule);\n border-radius: 6px;\n overflow: hidden;\n transition: box-shadow 0.2s, transform 0.2s;\n }\n .itr-card:hover { box-shadow: 0 6px 28px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); transform: translateY(-2px); }\n\n .itr-card-top {\n background: var(--navy);\n padding: 16px 20px;\n border-bottom: 2px solid var(--gold);\n display: flex;\n align-items: baseline;\n gap: 10px;\n }\n .itr-card-name {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.5rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n color: var(--gold-lt);\n }\n .itr-card-aka {\n font-size: 0.7rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.4);\n letter-spacing: 0.06em;\n }\n .itr-card-body { padding: 18px 20px; }\n .itr-card-who {\n font-size: 0.78rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: var(--navy);\n margin-bottom: 10px;\n padding-bottom: 10px;\n border-bottom: 1px solid var(--rule);\n }\n .itr-card-conditions { list-style: none; }\n .itr-card-conditions li {\n font-size: 0.78rem;\n color: var(--muted);\n padding: 4px 0;\n display: flex;\n gap: 8px;\n line-height: 1.45;\n border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(224,217,206,0.5);\n }\n .itr-card-conditions li:last-child { border-bottom: none; }\n .itr-card-conditions li::before { content: '\u00b7'; color: var(--gold); font-weight: 900; flex-shrink: 0; }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 ALERT BOXES \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .alert {\n border-radius: 4px;\n padding: 20px 24px;\n margin: 32px 0;\n }\n .alert-label {\n font-size: 0.6rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.16em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n margin-bottom: 8px;\n }\n .alert p { margin-bottom: 0; font-size: 0.88rem; line-height: 1.65; }\n .alert-navy {\n background: var(--navy);\n border-left: 4px solid var(--gold);\n }\n .alert-navy .alert-label { color: var(--gold); }\n .alert-navy p { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.78); }\n .alert-cream {\n background: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid var(--rule);\n border-left: 4px solid var(--gold);\n }\n .alert-cream .alert-label { color: var(--gold-dim); }\n .alert-cream p { color: var(--muted); }\n\n \/* exclusion table *\/\n .table-wrap {\n overflow-x: auto;\n margin: 28px 0;\n border-radius: 4px;\n border: 1px solid var(--rule);\n }\n table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 0.82rem; }\n thead { background: var(--navy); }\n thead th {\n color: var(--gold-lt);\n font-size: 0.68rem;\n font-weight: 500;\n letter-spacing: 0.08em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n padding: 12px 18px;\n text-align: left;\n }\n tbody tr { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--rule); }\n tbody tr:last-child { border-bottom: none; }\n tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: rgba(184,151,42,0.025); }\n td { padding: 11px 18px; color: #2a2a2a; vertical-align: top; line-height: 1.45; }\n td:first-child { font-weight: 500; color: var(--navy); }\n .no-cell { color: #b91c1c; font-weight: 600; }\n .yes-cell { color: var(--green); font-weight: 600; }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 CTA \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .cta {\n background: var(--gold);\n border-radius: 4px;\n padding: 40px 44px;\n text-align: center;\n margin-top: 60px;\n }\n .cta p {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.35rem;\n color: var(--navy);\n font-weight: 500;\n margin-bottom: 8px;\n }\n .cta-sub {\n font-size: 0.84rem !important;\n color: rgba(15,25,40,0.65) !important;\n margin-bottom: 22px !important;\n font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif !important;\n }\n .cta a {\n display: inline-block;\n background: var(--navy);\n color: var(--gold-lt);\n text-decoration: none;\n font-size: 0.74rem;\n letter-spacing: 0.14em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n padding: 12px 28px;\n border-radius: 2px;\n font-weight: 500;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 FOOTER \u2500\u2500 *\/\n footer {\n background: var(--navy);\n text-align: center;\n padding: 30px;\n font-size: 0.7rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n letter-spacing: 0.04em;\n line-height: 1.9;\n }\n footer span { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55); }\n\n @media (max-width: 700px) {\n .site-header { padding: 14px 20px; }\n .hero { padding: 50px 20px 44px; }\n main { padding: 40px 18px 70px; }\n .branch-row.two-col { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n .branch-row.three-col { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n .itr-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n .cta { padding: 28px 20px; }\n }\n<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n\n<header class=\"site-header\">\n <div>\n <div class=\"firm-name\">CGK & Co<\/div>\n <div class=\"firm-sub\">Chartered Accountants \u00b7 Est. 1960 \u00b7 Secunderabad<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"header-tag\">Direct Tax \u00b7 AY 2026-27<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n<div class=\"hero\">\n <div class=\"hero-inner\">\n <div class=\"eyebrow\">Return Filing Guide<\/div>\n <h1>Which ITR Form<br>Should <em>You<\/em> File?<\/h1>\n <p class=\"hero-sub\">One of the most common questions we get every filing season. The answer depends on who you are, what income you earn, and what conditions apply. Here is a clear guide for AY 2026-27.<\/p>\n <div class=\"hero-meta\">\n <span>CGK & Co<\/span> \u00b7 May 2026 \u00b7 Assessment Year 2026-27\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<main>\n\n <p class=\"lead\">\n Filing in the wrong ITR form is not a technicality \u2014 it is a defective return. Getting this right before you file saves a lot of back-and-forth with the department. Here is how to work out which form applies to you.\n <\/p>\n\n <p>The starting point is always the same: are you an individual, or something else? From there, the path depends on your income type. Let us walk through it step by step.<\/p>\n\n <h2>The decision tree \u2014 step by step<\/h2>\n\n \n <div class=\"flowchart-wrap\">\n <div class=\"flowchart-title\">ITR Form Selection \u2014 AY 2026-27<\/div>\n\n <div class=\"flow\">\n\n \n <div class=\"node\">\n <div class=\"node-box node-start\">START<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"node\">\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\">Are you an Individual?<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\">\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes \u2014 Individual<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\">Business or Profession income?<\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\" style=\"width:100%\">\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\">Eligible for Presumptive?<br><span style=\"font-size:0.72rem;opacity:0.7\">(44AD \/ 44ADA \/ 44AE)<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-4<span class=\"itr-sub\">SUGAM<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">No<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-3<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">No<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\" style=\"font-size:0.8rem\">Simple income \u2264 \u20b950L?<br><span style=\"font-size:0.72rem;opacity:0.75;font-weight:400\">Salary + up to 2 house properties + interest + LTCG u\/s 112A \u2264 \u20b91.25L + Agri \u2264 \u20b95K<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-1<span class=\"itr-sub\">SAHAJ<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">No<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-2<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">No \u2014 Not Individual<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\">Company?<\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-6<span class=\"itr-sub\">Except Sec 11<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">No<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\" style=\"font-size:0.8rem\">Trust \/ \u0938\u0902\u0938\u094d\u0925\u093e?<\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-7<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Others<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-5<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <div style=\"height:32px\"><\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\">\n <div class=\"branch-col\" style=\"align-items:flex-start\">\n <div class=\"node-box node-warning\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"warn-label\">Not allowed in ITR-1 or ITR-4<\/div>\n If any of these apply, you cannot use the simpler forms:\n <ul>\n <li>Director in a company<\/li>\n <li>Holding unlisted shares<\/li>\n <li>Foreign assets or foreign income<\/li>\n <li>ESOP deferred tax<\/li>\n <li>TDS deducted under Section 194N<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-col\" style=\"align-items:flex-start\">\n <div class=\"node-box node-special\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"spec-label\">Special Forms<\/div>\n <ul>\n <li>ITR-V \u2014 Acknowledgement form when return is not e-verified. Must be sent to CPC Bengaluru within 30 days of filing.<\/li>\n <li>ITR-U \u2014 Updated return. Can be filed within 48 months. Requires payment of additional tax.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <hr class=\"rule\">\n\n <h2>Each form in plain language<\/h2>\n\n <p>Here is what each form is for, who it applies to, and the key conditions that govern eligibility.<\/p>\n\n <div class=\"itr-grid\">\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-1<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\">SAHAJ<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Resident individuals with simple income<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Total income up to \u20b950 lakh<\/li>\n <li>Income from salary or pension<\/li>\n <li>Income from up to one house property<\/li>\n <li>Interest income and other sources<\/li>\n <li>Agricultural income up to \u20b95,000<\/li>\n <li>LTCG under Section 112A up to \u20b91.25 lakh<\/li>\n <li>Cannot be used if you are a director, hold unlisted shares, have foreign assets, or had TDS under Section 194N<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-2<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Individuals and HUFs \u2014 no business income<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Income exceeding \u20b950 lakh, or complex income<\/li>\n <li>Capital gains from shares, property, mutual funds<\/li>\n <li>More than one house property<\/li>\n <li>Foreign assets or foreign income<\/li>\n <li>Director in a company or holding unlisted shares<\/li>\n <li>Any individual who does not qualify for ITR-1 but has no business or professional income<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-3<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Individuals and HUFs with business or professional income<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Income from business or profession (not on presumptive basis)<\/li>\n <li>Partner in a firm<\/li>\n <li>Any income that cannot be reported in ITR-1, ITR-2, or ITR-4<\/li>\n <li>Requires full books of account or detailed disclosure<\/li>\n <li>Tax audit cases where applicable<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-4<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\">SUGAM<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Individuals, HUFs, firms on presumptive taxation<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Income under Section 44AD (business \u2014 turnover up to \u20b93 Cr with 95% digital receipts, else \u20b92 Cr)<\/li>\n <li>Income under Section 44ADA (specified professionals \u2014 receipts up to \u20b975L with 95% digital, else \u20b950L)<\/li>\n <li>Income under Section 44AE (transport operators)<\/li>\n <li>Total income must not exceed \u20b950 lakh<\/li>\n <li>Cannot be used if director, unlisted shares, foreign assets, ESOP deferral, or 194N TDS<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-5<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Firms, LLPs, AOPs, BOIs, and others<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Partnership firms and LLPs<\/li>\n <li>Association of Persons and Body of Individuals<\/li>\n <li>Cooperative societies<\/li>\n <li>Local authorities<\/li>\n <li>Any entity not required to file in ITR-6 or ITR-7<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-6<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Companies (except those claiming Section 11 exemption)<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>All companies registered under the Companies Act<\/li>\n <li>Not applicable to companies claiming income exemption under Section 11 (charitable or religious purpose)<\/li>\n <li>Such companies \u2014 Section 25 companies, for instance \u2014 file ITR-7 instead<\/li>\n <li>Must be filed electronically with digital signature<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-7<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Trusts, charitable institutions, political parties, and specified entities<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Persons and companies required to file under Sections 139(4A), (4B), (4C), (4D)<\/li>\n <li>Charitable and religious trusts claiming exemption under Section 11 and 12<\/li>\n <li>Political parties<\/li>\n <li>Research associations, universities, medical institutions under Section 10<\/li>\n <li>Electoral trusts<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <hr class=\"rule\">\n\n <h2>The exclusions that catch people out<\/h2>\n\n <p>ITR-1 and ITR-4 are the simpler, more popular forms. But a handful of conditions disqualify you from using them \u2014 and these are conditions that more people fall into than you might expect.<\/p>\n\n <div class=\"table-wrap\">\n <table>\n <thead>\n <tr>\n <th>Condition<\/th>\n <th>ITR-1 Allowed?<\/th>\n <th>ITR-4 Allowed?<\/th>\n <th>Where to File Instead<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <td>Director in any company<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>Holding unlisted shares<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>Foreign assets or foreign income<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>ESOP where tax is deferred<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>TDS deducted under Section 194N<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>More than one house property<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"yes-cell\">Yes<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 (if no business income)<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>Capital gains from shares or property<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No (except LTCG u\/s 112A \u2264 \u20b91.25L)<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>Total income exceeds \u20b950 lakh<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"alert alert-navy\">\n <div class=\"alert-label\">A word on ITR-U \u2014 the updated return<\/div>\n <p>If you filed in the wrong form or missed declaring some income, the updated return (ITR-U) gives you 48 months from the end of the financial year to correct it. There is additional tax to pay \u2014 the percentage increases the longer you wait \u2014 but it is far better than a notice from the department. For AY 2026-27, the updated return window runs until March 2031.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <h2>A practical note<\/h2>\n\n <p>The form selection question matters more than most people realise. A return filed in the wrong form is treated as a defective return \u2014 the department issues a notice under Section 139(9) asking you to refile correctly. This causes delays, sometimes affects refunds, and in business cases can affect the carry-forward of losses.<\/p>\n\n <p>If you are in any of the exclusion categories \u2014 a working professional who also sits on a company board, a trader who holds unlisted shares, or anyone with foreign investments \u2014 take a moment before filing to confirm you are in the right form. The difference between ITR-1 and ITR-2 may seem minor; the consequences of getting it wrong are not.<\/p>\n\n <div class=\"alert alert-cream\">\n <div class=\"alert-label\">Still not sure?<\/div>\n <p>If your income profile has changed this year \u2014 new business income, a directorship, a foreign asset, or a capital gains transaction \u2014 it is worth checking before you file. An incorrect form cannot simply be revised; it has to be refiled as a fresh return in the correct form, within the time limits for belated returns.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cta\">\n <p>Not certain which form applies to you?<\/p>\n <p class=\"cta-sub\">We work through this for clients every filing season. If your income profile has any complexity \u2014 business income, capital gains, foreign assets, or a directorship \u2014 just write to us before filing.<\/p>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/#contact\" onclick=\"goContact(event)\">Write to Us<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/main>\n\n<script>\n\tfunction goContact(e) {\n\t e.preventDefault();\n\n\t const url = \"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/#contact\";\n\n\t \/\/ check if inside iframe\n\t const isIframe = window.parent && window.parent !== window;\n\n\t if (isIframe) {\n\t\t\/\/ try communicate with main page\n\t\twindow.parent.postMessage({\n\t\t action: \"CLOSE_AND_REDIRECT\",\n\t\t url: url\n\t\t}, \"*\");\n\t } else {\n\t\t\/\/ standalone page\n\t\twindow.location.href = url;\n\t }\n\t}\n<\/script>\n\n<footer>\n <span>CGK & Co, Chartered Accountants<\/span> \u00b7 Secunderabad, Telangana<br>\n enquiries@cgkandco.in \u00b7 040-27843997 \u00b7 9436216326 \u00b7 cgkandco.in<br><br>\n This article is for general information only and does not constitute professional advice. ITR form conditions are as applicable for AY 2026-27. Statutory provisions prevail.\n<\/footer>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the most common questions we get every filing season. The answer depends on who you are, what income you earn, and what conditions apply. Here is a clear guide for AY 2026-27.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"quote","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-quote","hentry","category-directandindirecttax","post_format-post-format-quote"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=173"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":186,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173\/revisions\/186"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

{"id":173,"date":"2026-05-31T06:01:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T06:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/?p=173"},"modified":"2026-05-31T11:52:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T11:52:36","slug":"which-itr-form-should-you-file","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/directandindirecttax\/which-itr-form-should-you-file\/","title":{"rendered":"Which ITR Form Should\u00a0You\u00a0File?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\n\n\n\n\nWhich ITR Form Should You File? AY 2026-27 | CGK & Co<\/title>\n<style>\n @import url('https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Cormorant+Garamond:ital,wght@0,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,600&family=DM+Sans:wght@300;400;500;600&display=swap');\n\n *, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n\n :root {\n --navy: #0f1928;\n --navy2: #1a2744;\n --navy3: #243050;\n --gold: #b8972a;\n --gold-lt: #d4b050;\n --gold-dim:#7a6118;\n --cream: #f9f6f0;\n --rule: #e0d9ce;\n --ink: #1e1e1e;\n --muted: #6b6b6b;\n --white: #ffffff;\n --green: #1a5c3a;\n --green-lt:#edf7f1;\n }\n\n html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }\n\n body {\n font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif;\n background: var(--cream);\n color: var(--ink);\n font-size: 15px;\n line-height: 1.7;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 HEADER \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .site-header {\n background: var(--navy);\n padding: 18px 48px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: space-between;\n border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(184,151,42,0.2);\n position: sticky;\n top: 0;\n z-index: 200;\n }\n .firm-name {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n color: var(--gold-lt);\n font-size: 1.1rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.04em;\n }\n .firm-sub {\n font-size: 0.6rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.35);\n letter-spacing: 0.12em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n margin-top: 2px;\n }\n .header-tag {\n font-size: 0.6rem;\n color: var(--gold);\n letter-spacing: 0.14em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n border: 1px solid rgba(184,151,42,0.35);\n padding: 5px 12px;\n border-radius: 2px;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 HERO \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .hero {\n background: var(--navy);\n padding: 72px 48px 64px;\n position: relative;\n overflow: hidden;\n }\n .hero::before {\n content: '';\n position: absolute;\n top: -100px; right: -100px;\n width: 480px; height: 480px;\n border: 1px solid rgba(184,151,42,0.07);\n border-radius: 50%;\n pointer-events: none;\n }\n .hero-inner { max-width: 860px; margin: 0 auto; position: relative; z-index: 1; }\n .eyebrow {\n font-size: 0.63rem;\n letter-spacing: 0.2em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gold);\n margin-bottom: 18px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 10px;\n }\n .eyebrow::before {\n content: '';\n display: block;\n width: 22px; height: 1px;\n background: var(--gold); opacity: 0.7;\n }\n .hero h1 {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 3.2rem);\n color: var(--white);\n font-weight: 600;\n line-height: 1.12;\n margin-bottom: 18px;\n }\n .hero h1 em { color: var(--gold-lt); font-style: italic; }\n .hero-sub {\n font-size: 0.95rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5);\n max-width: 560px;\n line-height: 1.7;\n margin-bottom: 28px;\n }\n .hero-meta {\n font-size: 0.7rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n letter-spacing: 0.06em;\n }\n .hero-meta span { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55); }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 MAIN \u2500\u2500 *\/\n main {\n max-width: 920px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n padding: 60px 24px 100px;\n }\n\n p { margin-bottom: 1.3em; color: #2a2a2a; }\n\n .lead {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.22rem;\n line-height: 1.65;\n color: var(--navy);\n border-left: 3px solid var(--gold);\n padding-left: 20px;\n margin-bottom: 48px;\n }\n\n h2 {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.65rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: var(--navy);\n margin: 52px 0 16px;\n letter-spacing: -0.01em;\n }\n\n hr.rule {\n border: none;\n border-top: 1px solid var(--rule);\n margin: 48px 0;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 INTERACTIVE FLOWCHART \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .flowchart-wrap {\n margin: 40px 0 56px;\n }\n .flowchart-title {\n font-size: 0.63rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.16em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gold);\n margin-bottom: 20px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 10px;\n }\n .flowchart-title::before {\n content: '';\n display: block;\n width: 20px; height: 1px;\n background: var(--gold);\n }\n\n .flow {\n display: flex;\n flex-direction: column;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 0;\n }\n\n \/* nodes *\/\n .node {\n position: relative;\n width: 100%;\n display: flex;\n justify-content: center;\n }\n\n .node-box {\n border-radius: 6px;\n padding: 14px 24px;\n font-size: 0.88rem;\n font-weight: 500;\n text-align: center;\n min-width: 180px;\n max-width: 320px;\n position: relative;\n transition: transform 0.15s, box-shadow 0.15s;\n }\n .node-box:hover { transform: translateY(-2px); box-shadow: 0 6px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.12); }\n\n .node-start {\n background: var(--gold);\n color: var(--navy);\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.15rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n letter-spacing: 0.04em;\n padding: 14px 36px;\n border-radius: 40px;\n min-width: 140px;\n }\n\n .node-question {\n background: var(--navy2);\n color: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid rgba(184,151,42,0.3);\n border-radius: 8px;\n }\n\n .node-itr {\n background: var(--navy);\n border: 2px solid var(--gold);\n color: var(--gold-lt);\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.3rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n min-width: 130px;\n border-radius: 6px;\n }\n .node-itr .itr-sub {\n display: block;\n font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif;\n font-size: 0.68rem;\n font-weight: 400;\n color: rgba(212,176,80,0.7);\n margin-top: 2px;\n letter-spacing: 0.04em;\n }\n\n .node-warning {\n background: var(--cream);\n border: 1px solid var(--rule);\n border-left: 3px solid var(--gold);\n color: var(--ink);\n font-size: 0.82rem;\n text-align: left;\n max-width: 400px;\n border-radius: 4px;\n }\n .node-warning ul { padding-left: 16px; margin-top: 6px; }\n .node-warning li { margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8rem; color: var(--muted); }\n .node-warning .warn-label {\n font-size: 0.63rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.12em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gold-dim);\n margin-bottom: 6px;\n }\n\n .node-special {\n background: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid var(--rule);\n color: var(--ink);\n font-size: 0.82rem;\n text-align: left;\n max-width: 360px;\n border-radius: 4px;\n }\n .node-special .spec-label {\n font-size: 0.63rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.12em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gold);\n margin-bottom: 6px;\n }\n .node-special ul { padding-left: 0; list-style: none; }\n .node-special li {\n font-size: 0.8rem;\n color: var(--muted);\n padding: 3px 0;\n display: flex;\n gap: 8px;\n }\n .node-special li::before { content: '\u2192'; color: var(--gold); font-weight: 700; flex-shrink: 0; }\n\n \/* connectors and branches *\/\n .connector {\n width: 2px;\n background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(184,151,42,0.5), rgba(184,151,42,0.2));\n height: 28px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n }\n\n .branch-row {\n display: grid;\n width: 100%;\n gap: 16px;\n position: relative;\n margin: 0;\n }\n .branch-row.two-col { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }\n .branch-row.three-col { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr; }\n\n .branch-col {\n display: flex;\n flex-direction: column;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 0;\n position: relative;\n }\n\n .branch-label {\n font-size: 0.68rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.08em;\n color: var(--gold);\n padding: 3px 10px;\n background: rgba(184,151,42,0.1);\n border: 1px solid rgba(184,151,42,0.2);\n border-radius: 12px;\n margin-bottom: 8px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n }\n\n \/* horizontal rule between branches *\/\n .h-rule {\n width: 100%;\n height: 1px;\n background: linear-gradient(to right, transparent, rgba(184,151,42,0.3), transparent);\n margin: 4px 0;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 ITR CARDS SECTION \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .itr-grid {\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(240px, 1fr));\n gap: 18px;\n margin: 32px 0;\n }\n\n .itr-card {\n background: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid var(--rule);\n border-radius: 6px;\n overflow: hidden;\n transition: box-shadow 0.2s, transform 0.2s;\n }\n .itr-card:hover { box-shadow: 0 6px 28px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); transform: translateY(-2px); }\n\n .itr-card-top {\n background: var(--navy);\n padding: 16px 20px;\n border-bottom: 2px solid var(--gold);\n display: flex;\n align-items: baseline;\n gap: 10px;\n }\n .itr-card-name {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.5rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n color: var(--gold-lt);\n }\n .itr-card-aka {\n font-size: 0.7rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.4);\n letter-spacing: 0.06em;\n }\n .itr-card-body { padding: 18px 20px; }\n .itr-card-who {\n font-size: 0.78rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: var(--navy);\n margin-bottom: 10px;\n padding-bottom: 10px;\n border-bottom: 1px solid var(--rule);\n }\n .itr-card-conditions { list-style: none; }\n .itr-card-conditions li {\n font-size: 0.78rem;\n color: var(--muted);\n padding: 4px 0;\n display: flex;\n gap: 8px;\n line-height: 1.45;\n border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(224,217,206,0.5);\n }\n .itr-card-conditions li:last-child { border-bottom: none; }\n .itr-card-conditions li::before { content: '\u00b7'; color: var(--gold); font-weight: 900; flex-shrink: 0; }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 ALERT BOXES \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .alert {\n border-radius: 4px;\n padding: 20px 24px;\n margin: 32px 0;\n }\n .alert-label {\n font-size: 0.6rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.16em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n margin-bottom: 8px;\n }\n .alert p { margin-bottom: 0; font-size: 0.88rem; line-height: 1.65; }\n .alert-navy {\n background: var(--navy);\n border-left: 4px solid var(--gold);\n }\n .alert-navy .alert-label { color: var(--gold); }\n .alert-navy p { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.78); }\n .alert-cream {\n background: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid var(--rule);\n border-left: 4px solid var(--gold);\n }\n .alert-cream .alert-label { color: var(--gold-dim); }\n .alert-cream p { color: var(--muted); }\n\n \/* exclusion table *\/\n .table-wrap {\n overflow-x: auto;\n margin: 28px 0;\n border-radius: 4px;\n border: 1px solid var(--rule);\n }\n table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 0.82rem; }\n thead { background: var(--navy); }\n thead th {\n color: var(--gold-lt);\n font-size: 0.68rem;\n font-weight: 500;\n letter-spacing: 0.08em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n padding: 12px 18px;\n text-align: left;\n }\n tbody tr { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--rule); }\n tbody tr:last-child { border-bottom: none; }\n tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: rgba(184,151,42,0.025); }\n td { padding: 11px 18px; color: #2a2a2a; vertical-align: top; line-height: 1.45; }\n td:first-child { font-weight: 500; color: var(--navy); }\n .no-cell { color: #b91c1c; font-weight: 600; }\n .yes-cell { color: var(--green); font-weight: 600; }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 CTA \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .cta {\n background: var(--gold);\n border-radius: 4px;\n padding: 40px 44px;\n text-align: center;\n margin-top: 60px;\n }\n .cta p {\n font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;\n font-size: 1.35rem;\n color: var(--navy);\n font-weight: 500;\n margin-bottom: 8px;\n }\n .cta-sub {\n font-size: 0.84rem !important;\n color: rgba(15,25,40,0.65) !important;\n margin-bottom: 22px !important;\n font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif !important;\n }\n .cta a {\n display: inline-block;\n background: var(--navy);\n color: var(--gold-lt);\n text-decoration: none;\n font-size: 0.74rem;\n letter-spacing: 0.14em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n padding: 12px 28px;\n border-radius: 2px;\n font-weight: 500;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 FOOTER \u2500\u2500 *\/\n footer {\n background: var(--navy);\n text-align: center;\n padding: 30px;\n font-size: 0.7rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n letter-spacing: 0.04em;\n line-height: 1.9;\n }\n footer span { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55); }\n\n @media (max-width: 700px) {\n .site-header { padding: 14px 20px; }\n .hero { padding: 50px 20px 44px; }\n main { padding: 40px 18px 70px; }\n .branch-row.two-col { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n .branch-row.three-col { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n .itr-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n .cta { padding: 28px 20px; }\n }\n<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n\n<header class=\"site-header\">\n <div>\n <div class=\"firm-name\">CGK & Co<\/div>\n <div class=\"firm-sub\">Chartered Accountants \u00b7 Est. 1960 \u00b7 Secunderabad<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"header-tag\">Direct Tax \u00b7 AY 2026-27<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n<div class=\"hero\">\n <div class=\"hero-inner\">\n <div class=\"eyebrow\">Return Filing Guide<\/div>\n <h1>Which ITR Form<br>Should <em>You<\/em> File?<\/h1>\n <p class=\"hero-sub\">One of the most common questions we get every filing season. The answer depends on who you are, what income you earn, and what conditions apply. Here is a clear guide for AY 2026-27.<\/p>\n <div class=\"hero-meta\">\n <span>CGK & Co<\/span> \u00b7 May 2026 \u00b7 Assessment Year 2026-27\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<main>\n\n <p class=\"lead\">\n Filing in the wrong ITR form is not a technicality \u2014 it is a defective return. Getting this right before you file saves a lot of back-and-forth with the department. Here is how to work out which form applies to you.\n <\/p>\n\n <p>The starting point is always the same: are you an individual, or something else? From there, the path depends on your income type. Let us walk through it step by step.<\/p>\n\n <h2>The decision tree \u2014 step by step<\/h2>\n\n \n <div class=\"flowchart-wrap\">\n <div class=\"flowchart-title\">ITR Form Selection \u2014 AY 2026-27<\/div>\n\n <div class=\"flow\">\n\n \n <div class=\"node\">\n <div class=\"node-box node-start\">START<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"node\">\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\">Are you an Individual?<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\">\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes \u2014 Individual<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\">Business or Profession income?<\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\" style=\"width:100%\">\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\">Eligible for Presumptive?<br><span style=\"font-size:0.72rem;opacity:0.7\">(44AD \/ 44ADA \/ 44AE)<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-4<span class=\"itr-sub\">SUGAM<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">No<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-3<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">No<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\" style=\"font-size:0.8rem\">Simple income \u2264 \u20b950L?<br><span style=\"font-size:0.72rem;opacity:0.75;font-weight:400\">Salary + up to 2 house properties + interest + LTCG u\/s 112A \u2264 \u20b91.25L + Agri \u2264 \u20b95K<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-1<span class=\"itr-sub\">SAHAJ<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">No<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-2<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">No \u2014 Not Individual<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\">Company?<\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-6<span class=\"itr-sub\">Except Sec 11<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">No<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-question\" style=\"font-size:0.8rem\">Trust \/ \u0938\u0902\u0938\u094d\u0925\u093e?<\/div>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Yes<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-7<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-col\">\n <span class=\"branch-label\">Others<\/span>\n <div class=\"connector\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"node-box node-itr\">ITR-5<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <div style=\"height:32px\"><\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"branch-row two-col\">\n <div class=\"branch-col\" style=\"align-items:flex-start\">\n <div class=\"node-box node-warning\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"warn-label\">Not allowed in ITR-1 or ITR-4<\/div>\n If any of these apply, you cannot use the simpler forms:\n <ul>\n <li>Director in a company<\/li>\n <li>Holding unlisted shares<\/li>\n <li>Foreign assets or foreign income<\/li>\n <li>ESOP deferred tax<\/li>\n <li>TDS deducted under Section 194N<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"branch-col\" style=\"align-items:flex-start\">\n <div class=\"node-box node-special\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"spec-label\">Special Forms<\/div>\n <ul>\n <li>ITR-V \u2014 Acknowledgement form when return is not e-verified. Must be sent to CPC Bengaluru within 30 days of filing.<\/li>\n <li>ITR-U \u2014 Updated return. Can be filed within 48 months. Requires payment of additional tax.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <hr class=\"rule\">\n\n <h2>Each form in plain language<\/h2>\n\n <p>Here is what each form is for, who it applies to, and the key conditions that govern eligibility.<\/p>\n\n <div class=\"itr-grid\">\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-1<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\">SAHAJ<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Resident individuals with simple income<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Total income up to \u20b950 lakh<\/li>\n <li>Income from salary or pension<\/li>\n <li>Income from up to one house property<\/li>\n <li>Interest income and other sources<\/li>\n <li>Agricultural income up to \u20b95,000<\/li>\n <li>LTCG under Section 112A up to \u20b91.25 lakh<\/li>\n <li>Cannot be used if you are a director, hold unlisted shares, have foreign assets, or had TDS under Section 194N<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-2<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Individuals and HUFs \u2014 no business income<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Income exceeding \u20b950 lakh, or complex income<\/li>\n <li>Capital gains from shares, property, mutual funds<\/li>\n <li>More than one house property<\/li>\n <li>Foreign assets or foreign income<\/li>\n <li>Director in a company or holding unlisted shares<\/li>\n <li>Any individual who does not qualify for ITR-1 but has no business or professional income<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-3<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Individuals and HUFs with business or professional income<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Income from business or profession (not on presumptive basis)<\/li>\n <li>Partner in a firm<\/li>\n <li>Any income that cannot be reported in ITR-1, ITR-2, or ITR-4<\/li>\n <li>Requires full books of account or detailed disclosure<\/li>\n <li>Tax audit cases where applicable<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-4<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\">SUGAM<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Individuals, HUFs, firms on presumptive taxation<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Income under Section 44AD (business \u2014 turnover up to \u20b93 Cr with 95% digital receipts, else \u20b92 Cr)<\/li>\n <li>Income under Section 44ADA (specified professionals \u2014 receipts up to \u20b975L with 95% digital, else \u20b950L)<\/li>\n <li>Income under Section 44AE (transport operators)<\/li>\n <li>Total income must not exceed \u20b950 lakh<\/li>\n <li>Cannot be used if director, unlisted shares, foreign assets, ESOP deferral, or 194N TDS<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-5<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Firms, LLPs, AOPs, BOIs, and others<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Partnership firms and LLPs<\/li>\n <li>Association of Persons and Body of Individuals<\/li>\n <li>Cooperative societies<\/li>\n <li>Local authorities<\/li>\n <li>Any entity not required to file in ITR-6 or ITR-7<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-6<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Companies (except those claiming Section 11 exemption)<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>All companies registered under the Companies Act<\/li>\n <li>Not applicable to companies claiming income exemption under Section 11 (charitable or religious purpose)<\/li>\n <li>Such companies \u2014 Section 25 companies, for instance \u2014 file ITR-7 instead<\/li>\n <li>Must be filed electronically with digital signature<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"itr-card\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-top\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-name\">ITR-7<\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-aka\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"itr-card-body\">\n <div class=\"itr-card-who\">Trusts, charitable institutions, political parties, and specified entities<\/div>\n <ul class=\"itr-card-conditions\">\n <li>Persons and companies required to file under Sections 139(4A), (4B), (4C), (4D)<\/li>\n <li>Charitable and religious trusts claiming exemption under Section 11 and 12<\/li>\n <li>Political parties<\/li>\n <li>Research associations, universities, medical institutions under Section 10<\/li>\n <li>Electoral trusts<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <hr class=\"rule\">\n\n <h2>The exclusions that catch people out<\/h2>\n\n <p>ITR-1 and ITR-4 are the simpler, more popular forms. But a handful of conditions disqualify you from using them \u2014 and these are conditions that more people fall into than you might expect.<\/p>\n\n <div class=\"table-wrap\">\n <table>\n <thead>\n <tr>\n <th>Condition<\/th>\n <th>ITR-1 Allowed?<\/th>\n <th>ITR-4 Allowed?<\/th>\n <th>Where to File Instead<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <td>Director in any company<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>Holding unlisted shares<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>Foreign assets or foreign income<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>ESOP where tax is deferred<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>TDS deducted under Section 194N<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>More than one house property<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"yes-cell\">Yes<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 (if no business income)<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>Capital gains from shares or property<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No (except LTCG u\/s 112A \u2264 \u20b91.25L)<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td>Total income exceeds \u20b950 lakh<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td class=\"no-cell\">No<\/td>\n <td>ITR-2 or ITR-3<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"alert alert-navy\">\n <div class=\"alert-label\">A word on ITR-U \u2014 the updated return<\/div>\n <p>If you filed in the wrong form or missed declaring some income, the updated return (ITR-U) gives you 48 months from the end of the financial year to correct it. There is additional tax to pay \u2014 the percentage increases the longer you wait \u2014 but it is far better than a notice from the department. For AY 2026-27, the updated return window runs until March 2031.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <h2>A practical note<\/h2>\n\n <p>The form selection question matters more than most people realise. A return filed in the wrong form is treated as a defective return \u2014 the department issues a notice under Section 139(9) asking you to refile correctly. This causes delays, sometimes affects refunds, and in business cases can affect the carry-forward of losses.<\/p>\n\n <p>If you are in any of the exclusion categories \u2014 a working professional who also sits on a company board, a trader who holds unlisted shares, or anyone with foreign investments \u2014 take a moment before filing to confirm you are in the right form. The difference between ITR-1 and ITR-2 may seem minor; the consequences of getting it wrong are not.<\/p>\n\n <div class=\"alert alert-cream\">\n <div class=\"alert-label\">Still not sure?<\/div>\n <p>If your income profile has changed this year \u2014 new business income, a directorship, a foreign asset, or a capital gains transaction \u2014 it is worth checking before you file. An incorrect form cannot simply be revised; it has to be refiled as a fresh return in the correct form, within the time limits for belated returns.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cta\">\n <p>Not certain which form applies to you?<\/p>\n <p class=\"cta-sub\">We work through this for clients every filing season. If your income profile has any complexity \u2014 business income, capital gains, foreign assets, or a directorship \u2014 just write to us before filing.<\/p>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/#contact\" onclick=\"goContact(event)\">Write to Us<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/main>\n\n<script>\n\tfunction goContact(e) {\n\t e.preventDefault();\n\n\t const url = \"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/#contact\";\n\n\t \/\/ check if inside iframe\n\t const isIframe = window.parent && window.parent !== window;\n\n\t if (isIframe) {\n\t\t\/\/ try communicate with main page\n\t\twindow.parent.postMessage({\n\t\t action: \"CLOSE_AND_REDIRECT\",\n\t\t url: url\n\t\t}, \"*\");\n\t } else {\n\t\t\/\/ standalone page\n\t\twindow.location.href = url;\n\t }\n\t}\n<\/script>\n\n<footer>\n <span>CGK & Co, Chartered Accountants<\/span> \u00b7 Secunderabad, Telangana<br>\n enquiries@cgkandco.in \u00b7 040-27843997 \u00b7 9436216326 \u00b7 cgkandco.in<br><br>\n This article is for general information only and does not constitute professional advice. ITR form conditions are as applicable for AY 2026-27. Statutory provisions prevail.\n<\/footer>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the most common questions we get every filing season. The answer depends on who you are, what income you earn, and what conditions apply. Here is a clear guide for AY 2026-27.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"quote","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-quote","hentry","category-directandindirecttax","post_format-post-format-quote"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=173"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":186,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173\/revisions\/186"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cgkandco.in\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}