The Income Tax Department has officially released the Excel utilities for ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-4 (Sugam) for Assessment Year 2025–26, allowing eligible taxpayers to begin preparing and filing their returns for Financial Year 2024–25. These utilities are now available for download from the Income Tax e-filing portal.
This rollout follows the extended ITR filing deadline of September 15, 2025, which was granted to accommodate:
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Changes introduced in ITR forms,
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Ongoing technological upgrades on the e-filing portal,
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The need to rectify and reconcile TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) data.
What’s New in ITR-1:
ITR-1 is designed for salaried individuals and pensioners, provided their income is limited to:
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Salary/pension,
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One house property,
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Other income (like interest).
Update for AY 2025–26:
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Taxpayers can now use ITR-1 even if they report long-term capital gains (LTCG) up to ₹1.25 lakh under Section 112A, as long as no tax is payable on such gains.
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Previously, such filers had to shift to ITR-2.
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However, you still can’t use ITR-1 if:
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You have taxable capital gains,
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You sold property,
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You want to carry forward losses,
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You have multiple house properties.
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ITR-4 Eligibility:
ITR-4 (Sugam) is meant for:
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Individuals, HUFs, and firms (except LLPs),
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Opting for the presumptive income scheme under:
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Section 44AD (business),
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Section 44ADA (profession),
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Section 44AE (transport business).
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Conditions:
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Annual income must not exceed ₹50 lakh.
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Not applicable if:
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You're a company director,
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Hold unlisted shares,
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Have foreign income/assets,
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Earn over ₹5,000 from agriculture.
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Key Takeaway:
With Excel-based ITR utilities now enabled, eligible taxpayers can get a head start on tax filing. Carefully choosing the correct ITR form based on your income and financial profile is crucial to avoid scrutiny, rejections, or penalties.
For a smoother process:
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Check your Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS) for TDS and income accuracy.
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Match your bank interest, salary, and investment income.
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Use the utilities to prepare the return offline, then upload it on the portal.
Let me know if you'd like help with identifying which ITR form is best for you, or step-by-step guidance on filing using the utility.
