How to file your Income Tax Return for Asstt. Year 2012-13 - Important guidelines.

Income-tax return is a legal document and it should be filed by the assessee with due care and caution. There should be no corrections or overwriting and it should be properly signed and verified by the person authorized to do so under the provisions of the Income-tax Act. The following important points may be taken care of while filling up the return forms:
Assessment year to which New Forms are applicable:
The new ITRs notified are applicable for the assessment years 2008-09 onwards only, for return of income relating to earlier assessment years return is to be furnished in the appropriate form as applicable in that assessment year. Each assessee has to identify the correct ITR Form applicable in its case before filing the return of Income.
No enclosures to the return:
Rule 12(2) of the I.T Rules provides that the return of income and return of fringe benefits required to be furnished in Form No. ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5, ITR-6, or ITR-8 shall not be accompanied by a statement showing the computation of tax payable on the basis of return, or proof of tax, if any, claimed deducted or collected at source or the advance tax or tax on self assessment, if any, claimed to have been paid or any document or copy of any account or form or report of audit required to be attached with the return of income or return of fringe benefits under any provisions of the Act.
For timely delivery of refunds, ensure correct address and account number on your Return of Income:
From 1.10.07 onwards, all income tax refunds in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai will be delivered by the Refund Banker directly at the communication address mentioned on the Return of Income. Taxpayers are requested to fill in the correct address (available during working hours for delivery) to ensure speedy delivery of refunds. In the case of taxpayers who opt for refunds through ECS, it will be credited directly to the bank account for which correct MICR code/ Bank Account Number has to be furnished on the Return.
Manner of filing the new Forms :
These Forms can be submitted in the following manner:

1.         a paper form;

2.        e-filing

3.        a bar-coded paper return.

Returns can be e-filed through the internet. E-filing of return is mandatory for companies and firms requiring statutory audit u/s 44AB. E-filing can be done with or without digital signaturea):

• If the returns are filed using digital signature, then no further action is required from the tax payers.
• If the returns are filed without using digital signature, then the tax payers have to file ITR-V with the department within 15 days of e-filing.
• The tax payers can e-file the returns through an e-intermediary who would e-file and assist him in filing of ITR-V within 15 days.

Where the form is furnished by using bar coded paper return then the tax payers need to print two copies of Form ITR-V. Both copies should be verified and submitted. The receiving official shall return one copy after affixing the stamp and seal.
Filling out acknowledgement:
Where the return is furnished in paper format, acknowledgement slip attached with the return should be duly filled in. The new forms are not required to be filed in duplicate.
Intimation of processing under section 143(1):
The acknowledgement of the return is deemed to be the intimation of processing under section 143(1). No separate intimation will be sent to the taxpayer unless there is a demand or refund.
Furnishing details of high value transactions:
In the return the details of high value transactions need to be compulsorily stated, which are ordinarily reported through the annual information return (AIR) and these details are cross checked and matched with the data in the AIR.
Filing your return through Tax Return Preparers (TRPs):
If you are an individual or an HUF assessee and you are not required to get your accounts audited (called ‘eligible person’) under the provisions of the Income Tax Act, then you can use the services of a Tax Return Preparer (TRP). However, if the ‘eligible person’ is not a resident in India during the previous year relevant to such assessment year, he can not avail of the services of a TRP.

If you are filing your returns through a TRP then you should ensure that:

1.         You are eligible to file return of Income under this Scheme;

2.        You give your consent to any Tax Return Preparer to prepare your return of income for any assessment year;

3.        You verify that the facts mentioned in the return are true and correct before you sign the return;

4.        You certify the amount which has been paid by you under this Scheme to the Tax Return Preparer for preparing and furnishing of the return of income; and

5.        You take a receipt of the payment made to the Tax Return Preparer and produce the same before the Resource Centre or Assessing Officer, if required,

Incentive to Tax Return Preparers:
The Tax Return Preparer shall charge a fee of two hundred and fifty rupees for any assessment year from the eligible person for preparing and furnishing his return of income for that assessment year:

Provided that he will charge no fees for preparing and furnishing the return for any eligible assessment year if the amount disbursable to him as per the scheme notified by the government for that eligible assessment year exceeds two hundred and fifty rupees. If the amount disbursable is less than two hundred and fifty rupees, we can charge the difference between rupees two hundred fifty and the amount disbursable.
Verification:
The verification must be signed by the authorized person before furnishing the return and the name and designation of the person signing the return should also be written. Any person making false statement is liable to be prosecuted under section 277 of the Act.