The new income tax portal with the URL 'www.incometax.gov.in' went live on 7 June 2021. According to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the new portal would provide a seamless experience to taxpayers.

The new portal is designed to be user-friendly. People will find it simple to navigate the dashboard, and the website's contents have been spaced out neatly. There's also an improved 'Help' section which contains details and videos that explain the site's features.

What's changed in the new income tax portal?

The CBDT said the new platform is designed to be more speedy and convenient for users. It's also designed to have improved usability and be highly accurate.

Several features that simplify procedures, as well as new updates to user accounts, have been added. So, what are the noteworthy features that you should know about?

Important features of the new income tax portal

These are the features of the new income tax portal that you, as a taxpayer, should know about:

• The filing of income tax returns with the income tax department has been simplified. Returns and refunds can be obtained more easily.
• There are multiple ways for you to log into your account, as well as additional security features.
• The dashboard has been designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate.
• The interface has categorised menus that help process commands and edit user profiles.
• The 'Help' section of the website has been upgraded. It has videos, articles, FAQs, user manuals and other content to help users understand how the site works.
• There are multiple ways to pay taxes as well as ask for returns. ITR forms 1 and 4 can be filed online as well as offline. ITR form 2 needs to be filed offline. This can be done using free software that can easily process requests. Soon, facilities for forms 3, 5, 6 and 7 will also be made available.
• It's now easier for users to update and keep track of their personal details. Users will be notified about pending actions, uploads, and interactions.
• The Ministry of Finance has revealed that an app version of this interface will also be released soon.

Deep dive into new income tax portal features

There are two main ways to look at this. Pre-login and post-login.

Pre-login

Before users log in to the portal, they should consider looking through the menus and the help sections. These are divided based on the services available on the new website. User-friendly videos are available that help people learn more about how to use and navigate the site. There's also a chatbot that users can use to get fast answers to their queries.

However, users must be logged into the portal to access these services. Once you've registered yourself, you can then access post-login features.

Post-login

Once you log in using your user ID and password, you can access the dashboard. On this page, you'll find various options and information related to the account. A blue bar below the logo provides you with all options. Here, you can access e-Filing features and know what the status of your filing is as well.

Under the Services button, you can check for rectifications, tax mismatches, challan requests, refunds, and more. Under Pending Actions, you will find options that you're responsible for. You can also check your annual statement here.

From the Grievances menu, you can get in touch with the support team and let them know what your complaints are. You should get a response promptly. The Help section provides you with various assistive options that aim to help you navigate through the new site. Your details, like your email, address, and so on, should be up-to-date, so there aren't any communication issues.

You can also check the compliance portal to see if there are any pending actions, to ensure you remain tax compliant.

Additional features

On the left of the page, you'll find a status bar which shows you how much more information you need to upload to your profile. You can make the most of the site by filling this section with accurate information. All the information received from you will be stored securely.

You also have the option to submit feedback. The portal also contains information about non-intrusive tax, judicious tax administration, eligible persons' pay, operation clean money, etc.

Conclusion

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I have to share my income tax website user ID and password if I want a CA or some tax firm to file my income tax returns in India?

Ideally, your income tax account password and details shouldn't be shared with anyone. However, if you hire the services of an accountant or a tax firm to pay your taxes, you'll need to provide them with access details. In such cases, consider asking them to manually file your tax returns.

2. Do I need to pay income tax if I register on the e-filing website?

Yes. Registering on the e-filing website helps make the income tax process easier.

3. How can I change my name on an income tax site if it does not match my PAN card?

The details submitted to your income tax profile must match those on your PAN card. To change your name on the income tax portal, you'll need to provide the last name mentioned on your PAN card and the PAN card number. Then, log in to your profile using the income tax portal. Click 'My Profile' and then 'Update Profile' here.

Select the 'Edit' option and then hit save once you've updated your name.

4. How do you log in to the income tax e-portal?

Go to the portal homepage. Click on Login. Enter your PAN number. Click on 'continue'. Then, confirm your secure access message. Following this, you can enter your password and then access your account.