What is E-Filing 2.0? Check Features, Registration Process, and a New Online Way to File Income Tax Returns

Have you ever delayed your ITR filing task until the last moment due to its difficulty? Income Tax Returns, commonly termed ITR, is a form that an individual is expected to submit to the Income Tax (IT) department before 31st July every year. For many people, the ITR filing process is complex; hence, they tend to delay the tax filing until the last date. If you fall in that category, read on to get some insights on the e-filing of tax through the e-filing 2.0 portal, which makes ITR filing an easy job.

E-filing 2.0 is an updated version of the online tool for filing income tax returns offered by India’s IT Department. The portal has numerous features like e-verification, pre-filled forms, and online payment options. Let us understand the e-filing process of ITR online with efiling 2.0.

What is E-Filing 2.0?

This is the upgraded version of the earlier e-filing portal with enhanced features, such as:

• Improved security features
• Better user-friendly interface
• Faster time of processing

The portal has gained huge popularity because of its effectiveness and convenience. It allows individuals and companies to file ITR from anywhere easily.

E-filing 2.0 Portal – Features 

Here are some features of the e-filing 2.0 Portal:

Features	Details
All Purpose Portal	The portal allows access to every credential, all the documents, interactions, and incomplete activities in one place
Easy Registration Process	– Simple registration process – let you open an account quickly and easily on the portal – allow you a hassle-free ITR filing
Improved Security Features	The enhanced security options secure taxpayer’s data: – Two-factor authentication – Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption – Digital signatures
Pre-Filled Forms	The portal auto-populates taxpayers’ details to offer pre-filled forms via documents like: – PAN card – Salary – Bank Account details – Capital gains – Interest income – TDS information
Fast Processing	– The portal allows quick processing as compared to the earlier methods – Let you file ITR efficiently and quickly
E-Verification of ITR	– The portal provides easy e-verification of returns – No need to sign papers physically or email returns
Online Payment Options	There are various online options for payment, such as: Debit Cards Net Banking UPI Credit Cards NEFT/RTGS/IMPS
Mobile Compatibility	– Compatible with smartphones – Let you file ITR from smartphones/tablets
Cost-Free e-Filing of ITR	Since the portal makes ITR filing online easy, it prevents the help of professionals, thereby saving tax
Dedicated Contact Centre	– A call center is dedicated to supporting taxpayers – For quick response to ITR-related queries

E-filing 2.0 Portal – Registration Process (Individual Taxpayer)

Here are the steps to register in the e-filing portal online:

• Go to the e-filing website at https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
• Click on ‘Register’ on the right side of the home screen
• Select the application type from the below:

• • Individual
  • Other than Individual

• Click on the tab of ‘Continue’ and proceed further
• Fill in the required fields as below:

• • PAN card details
  • Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Contact Information: email and contact number

• Click on the ‘Continue’ tab
• You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile. Submit the OTP and get your contact details verified
• Next, set an account password and choose a security question/answer
• Submit your profile information, including address, bank details, Aadhaar
• Click on the ‘Submit’ button to complete the registration

How to file ITR online using the E-filing 2.0 portal?

• Visit https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
• For existing users, use your user ID and password to log in
• Choose the ‘e-File’ tab and click on ‘Income Tax Return’, which is available on the drop-down menu
• Choose the below details:

• • Assessment Year 2024-25 (for the Financial Year 24-25)
  • ITR form name
  • ITR Form Submission Mode (Online/ Upload XML)

• Fill in the below information in the applicable sections:

• • Income details
  • Personal details
  • Income Tax Payments
  • Deductions

• Verify all the details submitted so that no error is there
• Check the ‘Preview and Submit’ button by clicking on it to review
• Once done, click ‘Submit’ to file ITR
• After submitting the details, you will receive an acknowledgement for future purpose
• You can also verify ITR through the e-verification options mentioned below:

• • Aadhaar OTP
  • Net banking
  • Bank account
  • Demat account

E-filing 2.0 Portal – Eligibility Criteria

Particulars	Eligibility Details
Who is eligible?	Individual Taxpayers HUFs or Hindu Undivided Families Senior Citizens LLPs or Limited Liability Partnerships Firms, Companies, Trusts
Individual Taxpayers	The Individual taxpayer can choose from the below tax regime: – Old Tax Regime: Here, they can file ITR if annual income is above INR 2.5 lakhs – New Tax Regime: Here, they can file ITR if annual income is above INR 3 lakhs
Below 60 years old with income below INR 60 lakhs	Individuals receiving an income in which TDS is deducted can file for tax returns via the e-filing portal
Senior citizens	E Filing is applicable if the age of the taxpayer is 60 and above and the selected regime is the Old Tax Regime
Income from Foreign Assets	E Filing is also applicable for individuals who have: Invested in foreign assets Earned income from a foreign source Received money from a foreign source Received income from a property that is located outside of India

ITR Filing Online – Documents required 

Here are the documents that are required for ITR login 2.0:

Particulars	Details of Documents
Mandatory Papers	– Aadhaar Card (Aadhaar and PAN should be linked) – Bank Account details (for refund)
Salaried Income documents	– Form 16: Issued by employer containing salary details, TDS deductions, etc. – Documents of rental income – Salary Slips
TDS Documents	– TDS Papers – Form 26AS
Investment Statements	For tax exemptions, you need the below investment documents: ULIPs Child Plans MF or Mutual Funds Life Insurance Plans FD or Fixed Deposits Pension Plans NPS
Documents for Capital Gains	Capital gains on assets like: – Stocks – MFs – Properties
Home Loan Papers	Details of Loan and Interest paid

 

​For the Assessment Year (AY) 2024-25, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has announced the following important dates for e-filing Income Tax Returns (ITR):​
taxontips.com

• Original Due Date: October 31, 2024​
• Extended Due Date: November 15, 2024​
• Belated/Revised Return Filing Deadline: January 15, 2025​

These extensions were communicated through CBDT Circulars No. 13/2024 and 21/2024.

It's important to note that while the due dates for filing ITR have been extended, deadlines for other related forms, such as the Tax Audit Report and transfer pricing certifications (Form 3CEB), remain unchanged. Taxpayers are advised to adhere to these deadlines to avoid penalties and interest charges.​

How to check the status of ITR filing online?

Below are the steps to check the status of your ITR filing through the official portal of the IT department:

• First, register yourself at the income tax return filing link given below: https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/home
• You can use your User ID and Password to log in
• Next, in the dashboard menu, look for the option of ‘View Returns’ and click on it
• Choose the ITR form number and applicable year of assessment
• Next, click the ‘Submit’ button
• A screen will display the ITR filing status

If your ITR has been processed, you can view the refund status of the ITR.

E-filing 2.0 Portal – Benefits

Here are some benefits of using the E-Filing 2.0 Portal:

1. Easy to use interface:

The interface of the E-filing 2.0 portal is modern and user-friendly. Taxpayers can use this simple interface to file ITR returns easily.

2. Mobile-friendly design:

The portal is mobile-responsive, making it easy for taxpayers to file ITR from smartphones and laptops.

3. Quick processing of ITR:

It is expected that the new e-filing portal will be able to process returns quickly and effectively compared to the earlier portal.

4. Pre-filled tax forms:

You can access pre-filled tax forms in the new portal, which will also consist of details like Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account details to make the transaction process faster for filing ITR.

5. 24×7 Chabot assistance:

The new portal has a 24×7 Chabot facility to assist taxpayers with their queries while filing ITR.

6. Single dashboard for all services:

Another best feature of the portal is that it provides a single dashboard for different facilities like ITR filing, rectification, e-verification, etc.