ITR-1 vs. ITR-4S: Know the Difference
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By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 23, 2024
ITR-1 is for salaried individuals with income from salary/pension, while ITR-4S is for small business owners and professionals opting for presumptive income taxation.
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Key Differences
ITR-1, also known as Sahaj, is designed for salaried individuals earning income through salary or pension, along with income from other sources like interest. It accommodates income up to a certain limit. ITR-4S, known as Sugam, is for small business owners or professionals who opt for a presumptive income scheme under sections 44AD, ADA, or AE of the Income Tax Act, simplifying tax calculations by presuming a standard percentage of income as net income.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
ITR-1 is suitable for individuals with income from one house property, excluding cases where loss is brought forward from previous years. It's not applicable to individuals with income from capital gains. ITR-4S is designed for those with income from business or profession calculated under the presumptive income scheme, making it unsuitable for regular businesses or professions with traditional bookkeeping.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
The ITR-1 form does not accommodate individuals who have agricultural income exceeding a specified limit or income from more than one house property. In contrast, ITR-4S is more inclusive for small business owners and professionals, but excludes those with income from capital gains, lottery winnings, horse races, or individuals holding foreign assets.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Filing ITR-1 is relatively straightforward for salaried employees as it primarily deals with income from salary/pension and interest. It requires details of income, deductions, and tax paid. ITR-4S, on the other hand, simplifies the process for business owners by not requiring detailed accounts and is beneficial for those with fluctuating income.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
ITR-1 does not allow for carrying forward of losses, making it suitable for those with simple tax situations. ITR-4S caters to a different segment, allowing small business owners and professionals to opt for a simpler tax compliance method, but it doesn’t accommodate complex business scenarios with capital asset depreciation or loss carry-forwards.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Applicable For
Salaried individuals, pensioners.
Small business owners, professionals.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Income Sources
Salary/pension, one house property, other sources.
Business/professional income under presumptive scheme.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Exclusions
Capital gains, foreign assets.
Capital gains, lottery, horse races, foreign assets.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Accounting Requirements
Basic financial details.
No detailed bookkeeping required.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Suitability
Simple tax situations.
Fluctuating incomes, simpler tax compliance.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
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ITR-1 and ITR-4S Definitions
ITR-1
Applicable for those with income from one house property.
In his ITR-1, he declared income from his single rental property.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 07, 2024
ITR-4S
Excludes individuals with capital gains or foreign assets.
He couldn’t use ITR-4S because of his income from horse races.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 07, 2024
ITR-1
Used by individuals with income from salary or pension.
Her ITR-1 included her pension income for the year.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 07, 2024
ITR-4S
Suitable for professionals opting for a standard income percentage.
As a consultant, he chose ITR-4S for its simplicity in tax computation.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 07, 2024
ITR-1
Excludes complex financial scenarios.
He couldn’t use ITR-1 due to his capital gains income.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 07, 2024
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ITR-4S
Avoids detailed bookkeeping requirements.
Filing ITR-4S saved her from maintaining detailed business accounts.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 07, 2024
ITR-1
A tax form for salaried individuals.
He filed his ITR-1 with details of his salary and interest income.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 07, 2024
ITR-4S
A form for small business owners under presumptive income.
Her ITR-4S filing was simplified due to the presumptive income scheme.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 07, 2024
ITR-1
Suitable for those with simple tax situations.
She found ITR-1 straightforward to file with her salary details.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 07, 2024
ITR-4S
Simplifies tax filing for fluctuating business incomes.
The ITR-4S was ideal for his small business with varying annual income.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 07, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Who can use ITR-1?
Individuals with income up to Rs. 50 lakhs and only certain income sources can use ITR-1.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Is ITR-1 applicable for business income?
No, ITR-1 is not for individuals with business or professional income.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
What documents are required for filing ITR-1?
PAN card, Form 16, bank statements, and other income-related documents.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Who can use ITR-4S?
Individuals and HUFs with presumptive income up to Rs. 2 crores can use ITR-4S.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
What is ITR-1?
ITR-1 is the Income Tax Return form for individuals having income from salaries, one house property, and other sources.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
What is ITR-4S?
ITR-4S is the Income Tax Return form for individuals and HUFs (Hindu Undivided Families) with presumptive income from business or profession.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Can ITR-4S be filed electronically?
Yes, ITR-4S can be filed online or in paper form.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
What documents are needed for ITR-4S?
PAN card, details of business income, and other relevant financial documents.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Can I revise my ITR-1 or ITR-4S?
Yes, you can revise your return within a specified time frame.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Can ITR-1 be filed electronically?
Yes, ITR-1 can be filed online or in paper form.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
When is the due date for filing ITR-1?
The due date varies each year, usually around July 31st.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Do I need to submit physical documents along with the return?
Usually, no physical documents need to be submitted, but they should be kept for record-keeping.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
What if I have foreign income or assets?
Additional forms may be required to report foreign income/assets.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
How is the tax calculated in ITR-1 and ITR-4S?
Tax is calculated based on the income details and applicable tax slabs.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
When is the due date for filing ITR-4S?
The due date varies each year, usually around July 31st.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Is ITR-4S suitable for salaried individuals?
No, ITR-4S is for those with business or professional income.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Can I file ITR-1 or ITR-4S after the due date?
Yes, you can file a belated return with certain penalties.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
How can I check the status of my filed return?
You can check the status online on the income tax department's website.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
What if I miss the due date for filing?
Late filing may result in penalties and interest charges.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Can I get professional help for filing these returns?
Yes, you can seek assistance from chartered accountants or tax professionals for accurate filing.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
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Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.