Income Tax Return Filing Charges in India (2026): Fees by ITR Form
Updated August 2026
Income tax return filing charges in India are ₹0 in professional fees when you file your return yourself on the Income Tax e-Filing portal. If you hire a tax preparer or CA, income tax return filing charges in India commonly range from about ₹500–₹1,500 for a straightforward salaried ITR-1, ₹2,000–₹6,000 for ITR-2, and ₹4,000–₹12,000 for ITR-3 or freelance income. NRIs, foreign income, detailed capital-gains work, notices and audits can cost more. These are planning ranges, not a government-mandated tariff.
How much are income tax return filing charges in India?
Your final fee depends less on your salary and more on the number and complexity of income sources. A salaried person with one Form 16 and no investments may need only data entry and e-verification. Someone with equity trades, rent, freelance receipts, overseas assets or a notice needs reconciliation and professional judgement.
| Filing situation | Typical assisted-fee planning range | What usually drives the work |
|---|---|---|
| Self-filing on the government portal | ₹0 professional fee | Your own time and review |
| Simple salaried or pension ITR-1 | ₹500–₹1,500 | Form 16, AIS and basic deductions |
| ITR-2 with capital gains or property | ₹2,000–₹6,000 | Broker statements, property and loss schedules |
| ITR-3 for freelancer or business income | ₹4,000–₹12,000 | Books or summaries, expenses and presumptive income |
| NRI or foreign-income return | ₹5,000–₹20,000+ | Residential status, foreign income and disclosures |
| Audit, notice or detailed advisory | ₹15,000–₹50,000+ | Scope, records, replies and compliance deadlines |
Market websites and tax platforms publish different packages, so compare inclusions rather than choosing only the lowest number. A quote of ₹999 may cover a basic return but exclude capital-gains reconciliation, a revised return or a consultation.
Are income tax return filing charges in India free on the government portal?
Yes. The Income Tax Department’s e-Filing portal does not charge a professional fee for submitting your return yourself. You still need your PAN, bank details, income records and access to e-verification. Free filing does not mean that tax is not payable: income tax, interest or a statutory late-filing fee, where applicable, is separate from a CA’s service fee.
The official ITR-1 guidance asks taxpayers to check Form 16, Form 26AS, AIS, bank statements and relevant deduction documents. It also says that documents generally do not need to be attached to the return, but should be retained in case the tax authorities ask for them.
For a simple return, self-filing can be sensible if you understand your income and deductions. Paid help becomes more valuable when you are unsure which form applies, your AIS does not match your records, or a mistake could affect a sizeable tax liability.
What are income tax return filing charges in India for ITR-1, ITR-2 and ITR-3?
ITR-1: usually the lowest-cost return
ITR-1 is generally used by eligible resident individuals with salary or pension, one or two house properties under the applicable rules, and other simple income. A basic professional fee is often ₹500–₹1,500. The price can rise if Form 16 is missing, AIS entries need checking, or several deductions and interest certificates must be reconciled.
The correct form matters. The department’s AY 2026–27 FAQ lists exclusions such as business or professional income, certain capital gains, foreign assets or foreign income, and income above the applicable ITR-1 limit. Do not select ITR-1 just because it is cheaper.
ITR-2: capital gains and property make it more involved
ITR-2 commonly covers people with capital gains, multiple income sources, or property-related reporting who do not have business income. A practical range is ₹2,000–₹6,000, but dozens of transactions can require a higher quote. Ask whether the fee includes importing broker statements, calculating purchase dates and costs, matching TDS, and reporting short-term and long-term gains.
ITR-3: business, freelance and professional income
Freelancers, consultants and proprietors may need ITR-3, or another suitable form depending on their circumstances. Fees commonly start around ₹4,000 and can reach ₹12,000 or more when records are incomplete. Bookkeeping, GST reconciliation, depreciation, expense review and presumptive-tax calculations should be priced separately or clearly included.
Which factors increase income tax return filing charges in India?
The most common fee multipliers are:
- More income sources: salary, rent, interest, dividends, freelance receipts and digital-asset transactions take longer to reconcile.
- Capital gains: the number of trades and quality of broker data matter more than the investment amount alone.
- Foreign elements: NRIs and residents with foreign income, accounts, shares or retirement benefits need additional reporting.
- Business records: incomplete books or mixed personal and business expenses create review work.
- Notices and corrections: a response to a notice, revised return, updated return or defective-return correction is often a separate service.
- Urgency: last-minute filing may attract a rush fee, especially when documents are disorganised.
A professional should be able to explain which of these applies to your quote. Be cautious if someone promises a guaranteed refund or asks you to claim deductions without documents.
What should income tax return filing charges in India include?
Before paying, ask for a written scope. A useful basic package may include a document checklist, selection of the correct ITR form, preparation from your records, a draft review, submission and e-verification support. It should also state whether one follow-up correction is included.
Confirm these exclusions: tax payable, late fee and interest; bookkeeping; audit; notices; revised returns; foreign-income schedules; capital-gains reconciliation; and consultation beyond the filing. Also ask whether GST is added to the quoted professional fee.
Never share your income-tax portal password or OTP unnecessarily. You can remain the account holder and complete e-verification yourself while the professional prepares the return.
How can you compare income tax return filing charges in India safely?
Send the same short brief to each provider: employment or business status, ITR form if known, number of properties, capital-gains activity, NRI or foreign-income status, and whether you received a notice. Ask for the total price, deliverables, turnaround time and correction policy.
A cheaper quote is not automatically better. Compare whether the professional will actually reconcile AIS and Form 26AS, explain tax-regime choices, and provide an acknowledgement after successful submission. For a complex return, a documented process is worth more than a discount of a few hundred rupees.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fixed government fee for filing an income tax return?
No. Self-filing on the official portal has no professional service fee. CAs, tax preparers and online platforms set their own service prices. Statutory tax, interest and late fees are separate.
Can I file a revised return without paying a CA?
Yes, if you can use the portal and understand the correction. The exact deadline and applicable fee depend on the assessment year and the return type, so check the deadline shown on the official e-Filing portal before submitting. A professional may charge separately for reviewing and submitting a revised return.
Does e-verification cost extra?
The government process itself does not require a professional fee. A provider may include e-verification support in its package or charge for additional assistance; confirm this before engagement.
What if I only have salary income?
If your income is straightforward and you have accurate Form 16, AIS and Form 26AS details, self-filing may be adequate. A professional is useful when deductions, property income, mismatches or tax-regime decisions are unclear.
Should I choose a CA based only on the lowest price?
No. Check experience with your ITR form, written scope, privacy practices, review process and post-filing support. A clear quote prevents surprise charges and reduces the risk of incorrect reporting.
Which official sources should you check before filing?
Use the Income Tax Department’s ITR-1 FAQ to check eligibility, and its AY 2026–27 ITR downloads page for the latest forms and utilities. These official pages support the form-selection and self-filing points in this guide.
If you want help comparing suitable tax professionals, verified CA professionals lets you compare verified service providers and choose based on scope, experience and quote—not just the first price you see.
