Income Tax Return Filing Charges in India: What You May Pay in 2026
Income Tax Return Filing Charges in India: What You May Pay in 2026
Income tax return filing charges in India can range from ₹0 for self-filing on the official portal to ₹20,000 or more for complex NRI, business, capital-gains or audit work. A simple salaried ITR-1 prepared by a professional commonly falls around ₹500–₹1,500, while ITR-2 and ITR-3 usually cost more because they need extra schedules, reconciliation and supporting documents. These are planning ranges, not a government-fixed fee card.
Updated September 2026
How do income tax return filing charges in India vary?
There are two separate costs to keep in mind: the government filing cost and the professional service fee. Filing electronically through the Income Tax Department portal does not itself require a CA payment. You may still have tax payable, interest, late fees, software costs or a separate charge for advice.
For assisted filing, a useful planning table is:
| Return or service | Typical professional fee | What usually makes it expensive |
|---|---|---|
| Simple ITR-1: salary or pension | ₹500–₹1,500 | Form 16 mismatch, several employers, deductions |
| ITR-2: capital gains or multiple properties | ₹2,000–₹6,000 | Share statements, property calculations, foreign assets |
| ITR-3: freelance, business or presumptive income | ₹4,000–₹12,000 | Books, turnover, expenses, depreciation and reconciliation |
| NRI or foreign-income return | ₹5,000–₹20,000+ | Residential status, treaties, foreign accounts and assets |
| Tax audit, notice or detailed advisory | ₹15,000–₹50,000+ | Audit scope, books, notices and representation |
These ranges help you compare quotes, but the correct fee depends on the records and responsibility involved. The Income Tax Department’s AY 2026–27 materials list separate utilities for ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3 and ITR-4, which reflects why a return cannot be priced only by the number of clicks involved. Income Tax Department ITR downloads
Is ITR filing free on the government portal?
Yes, self-filing on the official e-Filing portal generally has no professional filing fee. You create or use your account, select the applicable return, import or enter information, submit the return and complete e-verification. That does not mean every taxpayer can safely use the shortest form.
For example, the Department’s ITR-1 FAQ says ITR-1 is not for people with business or professional income, certain capital gains, foreign income or assets, or income above the applicable limit. The same FAQ also records the AY 2026–27 changes, including treatment of up to two house properties. Check the current form rules before choosing a return. Official ITR-1 FAQ
You may still choose paid help when the cost of a mistake is higher than the fee: a wrong residential-status answer, missed capital gain, incorrect carry-forward loss or incomplete foreign-asset disclosure can create follow-up work later.
What do CAs charge for ITR-1, ITR-2 and ITR-3?
ITR-1: usually the lowest fee
A straightforward salaried or pension return with one Form 16, bank interest and standard deductions may be quoted at ₹500–₹1,500. Ask whether the quote includes Form 26AS/AIS comparison, tax calculation, submission and e-verification support. A very low headline price may cover data entry only.
ITR-2: records and capital gains raise the work
ITR-2 is common where there are capital gains, more than one property, or other income that does not fit ITR-1. A quote of ₹2,000–₹6,000 is a reasonable initial planning range, but many transactions, ESOPs, mutual funds, inherited property or foreign holdings can push it higher. The professional may need broker statements, purchase dates, sale costs and prior-year loss records.
ITR-3: business and freelance returns need more review
Freelancers, consultants, proprietors and other taxpayers with business or professional income may use ITR-3 or a presumptive-income route where eligible. Fees around ₹4,000–₹12,000 are common planning bands. Turnover, expense classification, GST records, TDS mismatches, depreciation, loans and the condition of your books can materially change the quote.
Which factors increase the fee?
The biggest driver is not your income alone; it is the number of sources and the amount of checking required. Expect a higher quote when you have:
- Multiple employers, missing Form 16s or AIS/26AS mismatches.
- Shares, mutual funds, cryptocurrency, ESOPs or property sales.
- Rental income, two or more properties, home-loan interest or inherited property.
- Freelance receipts, business turnover, expenses, inventory or depreciation.
- NRI status, foreign salary, foreign bank accounts, investments or tax withheld overseas.
- A notice, defective-return response, revised return, updated return or past-year correction.
- A tax-audit requirement or a request for tax planning beyond return preparation.
A professional who asks for documents and explains the scope is often safer than one who promises an unusually low all-inclusive price without reviewing your case.
What should an ITR filing fee include?
Before paying, ask for a written list of deliverables. A basic package may include document review, computation, preparation of the applicable ITR, submission and e-verification guidance. It may not include tax planning, a notice response, audit, books, a revised return or a second-year carry-forward check.
Confirm whether the fee includes GST, how many clarification rounds are allowed, who will sign or submit the return, and whether you receive an acknowledgement and computation sheet. Also ask what happens if the portal flags a mismatch after filing. These questions turn a vague price into a comparable service.
How can you compare income tax return filing quotes safely?
Start by giving each professional the same facts: income types, tax residency, property count, capital-gain transactions, business turnover and whether a notice or audit is involved. Then compare like for like. One quote may include AIS reconciliation and e-verification while another includes only form submission.
Check the professional’s credentials, get a fee breakup, avoid sharing OTPs casually, and retain your acknowledgement, computation and source documents. Never choose a return form merely because it is cheaper. The right form and accurate disclosures matter more than saving a few hundred rupees.
FAQs about income tax return filing charges
Is the tax payable included in the filing fee?
No. Professional fees pay for the service. Any income tax, interest or late fee payable to the government is separate and should be shown in the computation.
Do I pay extra for e-verification?
It depends on the provider. Ask whether e-verification guidance or completion is included in the quoted fee.
Is a revised return charged separately?
Often yes, especially if the original return was prepared by someone else or a new calculation is required. Confirm the policy before engaging.
How much does a late return cost?
A late filing can involve statutory late fees and interest in addition to any professional charge. Your final amount depends on the applicable tax rules, income and filing date.
Should I hire a CA for a simple salary return?
Not always. Self-filing may be practical when your income is straightforward and you understand the form. Paid help can be worthwhile when you have capital gains, foreign income, business activity, a notice or uncertainty about disclosures.
Compare verified CA quotes instead of guessing
Income tax return filing charges in India are easiest to judge when the scope is clear. Share the same information with two or three professionals, compare inclusions and choose based on accuracy, responsiveness and experience—not only the lowest number. If you want help finding a suitable professional, verified CA professionals and compare verified CA quotes for your requirements.
