The Income Tax Department has released the Excel utility versions of Income Tax Return (ITR) Forms 1 and 4 for the Assessment Year 2025–26. These tools are now available for download on the official income tax e-filing portal, allowing eligible taxpayers to start preparation for filing of income tax returns for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26).
The Income Tax Department has announced the release of excel utilities via a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Attention taxpayers! The Excel Utility for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for AY 2025-26 has been enabled and is now available for taxpayers,” the Income Tax Department said on X.
Himank Singla, Partner at SBHS & Associates, says, “It’s a big relief to see that the Excel Utilities for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for Assessment Year 2025–26 have been released by the Income Tax Department. I have already filed ITR-4 using Excel Utility, and I am happy to share that the process was smooth - there are no major changes in the ITR-4 schema compared to last year, which makes it even easier for regular filers and tax professionals. However, a very important change has been made in the schema for ITR-1. A new validation rule has been introduced in the utility itself: if certain TDS section codes appear in Schedule TDS2 or TDS3—such as 194B, 194BB, 194S, 194LA, 195, 196A, 194Q, 194R and others—the income tax return will now be considered invalid for filing under ITR-1. This means taxpayers having income under special rates or from sources like online games, lotteries, crypto, property transfers, must use ITR-2 or other appropriate forms.This is a very welcome and practical change. In past years, many taxpayers unknowingly filed ITR-1 with such incomes, only to face defective return notices from CPC. By building this validation directly into the utility, the Department has helped prevent incorrect filings at source, saving both time and confusion.”
Also read: When will salaried employees get Form 16 to file income tax return for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
Choose right income tax return form for ITR filing FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)
Taxpayers are advised to carefully check the eligibility criteria before selecting and filing their income tax return FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26). Choosing the incorrect form may lead to complications or rejection of the ITR by the Income Tax Department. Tax experts recommend thorough reading of the instructions to avoid errors in ITR filing.
Who is eligible to file ITR 1 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
For the financial year 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26), resident individuals (excluding those classified as not ordinarily resident) with a total income of up to Rs 50 lakh — including income from salary, one house property, other sources such as interest, long-term capital gains under Section 112A up to Rs 1.25 lakh, and agricultural income not exceeding Rs 5,000 — are eligible to file ITR-1.
ITR filing last date extended from July 31, 2025, for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26): Check the new date here
Who cannot use ITR 1 to file income tax return for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
ITR-1 cannot be used taxpayers who are either Director in a company or have invested in unlisted equity shares or in cases where TDS has been deducted u/s 194N or if income-tax is deferred on ESOP or has assets (including financial interest in any entity) located outside India.
Who is eligible to file ITR 4 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
For individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) and Firms (other than LLP) being a resident having total income up to Rs 50 lakh and having income from business and profession which is computed under sections 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE, and having long-term capital gains under section 112A up to Rs 1.25 lakh for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26).
How to file ITR Excel utilities forms
These ITR forms are editable forms that can be downloaded from the income tax website. Individuals can download these forms, fill them up and upload them back onto the e-filing income tax website. These forms are available in Excel and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format.
Steps to download ITR-1 and ITR-4 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)
The Excel utility forms for ITR 1 and 4 are editable tools that can be downloaded, filled offline, and uploaded on the income tax e-filing website. Here are some steps you can follow to download forms ITR-1 and ITR-4
Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal
Step 2: Download the applicable ITR form (Excel version)
Step 3: Fill in the details as per your income profile
Step 4: Validate the form and generate the XML or JSON file
Step 5: Upload it on the portal to complete the filing process
With the release of these utilities, it’s time for eligible taxpayers to begin gathering their financial documents and start filing their returns well before the due date of September 15, 2025 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26).
The Income Tax Department has announced the release of excel utilities via a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Attention taxpayers! The Excel Utility for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for AY 2025-26 has been enabled and is now available for taxpayers,” the Income Tax Department said on X.
Attention taxpayers!
— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) May 30, 2025
The Excel Utility for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for AY 2025-26 has been enabled and is now available for taxpayers. @FinMinIndia@nsitharamanoffc @officeofPCM @PIB_India
Himank Singla, Partner at SBHS & Associates, says, “It’s a big relief to see that the Excel Utilities for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for Assessment Year 2025–26 have been released by the Income Tax Department. I have already filed ITR-4 using Excel Utility, and I am happy to share that the process was smooth - there are no major changes in the ITR-4 schema compared to last year, which makes it even easier for regular filers and tax professionals. However, a very important change has been made in the schema for ITR-1. A new validation rule has been introduced in the utility itself: if certain TDS section codes appear in Schedule TDS2 or TDS3—such as 194B, 194BB, 194S, 194LA, 195, 196A, 194Q, 194R and others—the income tax return will now be considered invalid for filing under ITR-1. This means taxpayers having income under special rates or from sources like online games, lotteries, crypto, property transfers, must use ITR-2 or other appropriate forms.This is a very welcome and practical change. In past years, many taxpayers unknowingly filed ITR-1 with such incomes, only to face defective return notices from CPC. By building this validation directly into the utility, the Department has helped prevent incorrect filings at source, saving both time and confusion.”
Also read: When will salaried employees get Form 16 to file income tax return for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
Choose right income tax return form for ITR filing FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)
Taxpayers are advised to carefully check the eligibility criteria before selecting and filing their income tax return FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26). Choosing the incorrect form may lead to complications or rejection of the ITR by the Income Tax Department. Tax experts recommend thorough reading of the instructions to avoid errors in ITR filing.
Who is eligible to file ITR 1 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
For the financial year 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26), resident individuals (excluding those classified as not ordinarily resident) with a total income of up to Rs 50 lakh — including income from salary, one house property, other sources such as interest, long-term capital gains under Section 112A up to Rs 1.25 lakh, and agricultural income not exceeding Rs 5,000 — are eligible to file ITR-1.
ITR filing last date extended from July 31, 2025, for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26): Check the new date here
Who cannot use ITR 1 to file income tax return for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
ITR-1 cannot be used taxpayers who are either Director in a company or have invested in unlisted equity shares or in cases where TDS has been deducted u/s 194N or if income-tax is deferred on ESOP or has assets (including financial interest in any entity) located outside India.
Who is eligible to file ITR 4 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
For individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) and Firms (other than LLP) being a resident having total income up to Rs 50 lakh and having income from business and profession which is computed under sections 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE, and having long-term capital gains under section 112A up to Rs 1.25 lakh for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26).
How to file ITR Excel utilities forms
These ITR forms are editable forms that can be downloaded from the income tax website. Individuals can download these forms, fill them up and upload them back onto the e-filing income tax website. These forms are available in Excel and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format.
Steps to download ITR-1 and ITR-4 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)
The Excel utility forms for ITR 1 and 4 are editable tools that can be downloaded, filled offline, and uploaded on the income tax e-filing website. Here are some steps you can follow to download forms ITR-1 and ITR-4
Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal
Step 2: Download the applicable ITR form (Excel version)
Step 3: Fill in the details as per your income profile
Step 4: Validate the form and generate the XML or JSON file
Step 5: Upload it on the portal to complete the filing process
With the release of these utilities, it’s time for eligible taxpayers to begin gathering their financial documents and start filing their returns well before the due date of September 15, 2025 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26).
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