Income Tax filing 2024: 

The Income Tax Department has released offline, online, and Excel utilities for ITR-3 for taxpayers for FY 2023-24 (AY 2024-25). To file the returns this year, individuals who need to file ITR-3 can now use one of utilities — offline (Java), online or Excel-based.

The three utilities are now available for download on the e-filing ITR portal under the ‘Downloads’ section. All these utilities have tabs that can be filled and then the updated and uploadable file can be created.

Online utility

Taxpayers using online utilities will be shown pre-filled data automatically in the ITR form. After confirming pre-filled data on each schedule and adding data (if any), they can easily file ITR. The Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA) manages recordkeeping, administration, and customer support for National Pension System (NPS) intermediaries.

Offline or Java utility

The Java-based offline tool in JSON format is commonly utilised by taxpayers with significant data for ITR filing, such as individuals needing to keep accounting records, facing a tax audit requirement, or having information spread across multiple sections.

Excel utility

Excel utility can be used by taxpayers who are facing issues using the Java-based utility.

Explaining the utilities, excel utility is to be downloaded and has tabs to fill and then the uploadable file can be created. Online utility is to be filled by logging into the e-filing ITR portal and one has to go page by page and submit their ITR, an expert said.

She further said the offline utility is software that is downloaded and is Java-based, not Excel-based. “It’s comparatively easier when you don’t want to fill using the online utility process,” she added. 

ITR-3 Form

The ITR-3 is applicable for individual and HUF who have income from profits and gains from business or profession. The persons having income from following sources are eligible to file ITR-3:

Have a business or profession (both tax audit and non-audit cases).

The return may include income from house property, salary/pension, capital gains and income from other sources.

The ITR-3 form is for those who do not qualify to file Form ITR-1 (Sahaj), ITR-2, or ITR-4 (Sugam).

In FY 2022-23, ITR-3 form was revised. Here are the changes: