Income Tax Return: An Overview What is Income Tax Return? An Income tax return (ITR) is a form used to file information about your income and tax to the Income Tax Department. The tax liability of a taxpayer is calculated based on his or her income. In case the return shows that excess tax has been paid during a year, then the individual will be eligible to receive an income tax refund from the Income Tax Department. As per the income tax laws, the return must be filed every year by an individual or business that earns any income during a financial year. The income could be in the form of a salary, business profits, income from house property or earned through dividends, capital gains, interests or other sources. Tax returns have to be filed by an individual or a business before a specified date. If a taxpayer fails to abide by the deadline, he or she has to pay a penalty. ITR-6 Form Companies other than companies claiming exemption under section 11 must furnish their income tax return in ITR-6 Form. What are the companies claiming exemptions under section 11? Companies claiming exemption under section 11 are those whose income from the property is held for charitable or religious purposes. Penalty for Late Filing Income Tax Return Taxpayers who do not file their income tax return on time are subject to penalties and charged interest on the late payment of income tax. Also, the penalty for late filing income tax returns on time has been increased recently. The penalty for late filing income tax return is now as follows: Late Filing between 1st August and 31st December - Rs.5000 Late Filing After 31st December - Rs.10,000 Penalty if taxable income is less than Rs.5 lakhs - Rs.1000