There are various categories of taxpayers in India, each of which requires a different form to file income tax returns. One such form is ITR-3, which is viewed as the most complicated ITR form for taxpayers, especially for a layman. However, do not worry, as we shall cover the ins and outs of ITR-3 in this article.

So, sit back and let us answer all the queries related to this form.

ITR-3 is a form that is applicable for resident individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs). In order to file income tax returns with an ITR-3 form, an assessee must earn his/her income from a proprietorship business or a profession. Therefore, if you generate an income through a proprietary business or a profession pertaining to accountancy, architecture, medical, engineering, etc., you can file ITR-3 for income tax returns.

Now that you know what ITR-3 is in income tax, read about its structure too.

ITR-3 is broadly divided into the following sections:

• Part A
• Schedules
• Part B
• Verification

Let us now elaborate on each of these sections to assess ITR-3 meaning better:

Part A

• Part A-GEN: Contains general information and the nature of a business
• Part A- Manufacturing account: Presents a manufacturing account for a given financial year 
• Part A- Trading account: It has a trading account for a given financial year 
• Part A-P&L: Reveals the profits and losses for a given financial year
• Part A-BS: It presents the balance sheet as of the year-end for the proprietary business
• Part A-OI: This part includes other information. However, it is optional in a case that is not liable for audit u/s 44AB
• Part A-QD: It contains quantitative details, which is also optional in a case that is not liable for audit u/s 44AB

Schedules

• Schedule S: Calculates income falling under the ‘Salaries.’
• Schedule BP: It computes a taxpayer’s income from a profession or business.
• Schedule HP: This section calculates one’s income under ‘Income from House Property.’
• Schedule DPM: Determines depreciation on plant and machinery as per the Income Tax Act.
• Schedule DOA: It evaluates depreciation on other assets as per the Income Tax Act.
• Schedule DCG: Calculation of capital gains on the depreciable assets’ sales.
• Schedule CG: Computation of income under the ‘Capital Gains.’
• Schedule DEP: Summary of depreciation on all the assets as per the Income Tax Act.
• Schedule ESR: It includes deduction under Section 35, i.e., expenditure on scientific research.
• Schedule 112A: This requires taxpayers to provide details of capital gains wherein Section 112A is applicable.
• Schedule OS: Computes one’s income under the head of ‘Income from Other Sources.’
• Schedule 115AD(1)(iii) provision: Applicable for non-residents, this schedule requires details of capital gains wherein Section 112A is applicable.
• Schedule VDA: Income from transfer of virtual digital assets
  
• Schedule CYLA: It is a statement of income after setting off losses in the current FY.
• Schedule BFLA: It is a statement of income after setting off unabsorbed losses brought forward from preceding financial years.
• Schedule CFL: It presents a statement of losses that shall be carried forward to subsequent financial years.
• Schedule ICDS – This section reveals the effect of income computation disclosure standards (ICDS) on profits.
• Schedule UD: Indicates unabsorbed depreciation.
• Schedule 10AA: It calculates deductions under Section 10AA.
• Schedule RA: Includes details of donations to institutions entitled for deduction under Section 35(2AA),35(1)(ii), 35(1)(iia), or 35(1)(iii).
• Schedule VIA: Includes deductions from one’s total income under Chapter VI-A.
• Schedule 80G: This section contains details of donations subject to deductions u/s 80G.
• Schedule 80IC/ 80-IE: Calculates deductions u/s 80-IC or 80-IE.
• Schedule 80IB: Computes of deductions u/s 80IB.
• Schedule 80IA: It determines deductions u/s 80IA.
• Schedule AMT: Determines a taxpayer’s alternate minimum tax payable u/s 115JC.
• Schedule AMTC: It calculates one’s tax credit u/s 115JD.
• Schedule SPI-SI-IF: Mentions specified persons (spouse, minor, etc.) or association of persons that are included in the income of an assessee.
• Schedule EI: It presents a statement of income that is not included in one’s total income.
• Schedule TPSA: Refers to secondary adjustment of taxes according to Section 92CE(2A).
• Schedule FSI: This section contains the details of a taxpayer’s income earned outside India and applicable tax relaxations.
• Schedule PTI: It indicates the income details received from business trusts or investment funds as per Section 115UA, 115UB of the Income Tax Act.
• Schedule TR: It is a statement of tax relief claimed by an assessee under Section 90, 90A, or 91.
• Schedule 5A: This contains information on the apportionment of income between spouses of an individual.
• Schedule DI: It is a schedule of tax-saving deposits, payments, or investments that are subject to deduction or exemption.
• Schedule FA: This presents details of a taxpayer’s income from sources outside India as well as foreign assets.
• Schedule AL: It reveals the assets and liabilities at the end of a financial year. This is only applicable for taxpayers with a total income exceeding ₹50,00,000.
• Schedule GST: This section holds information regarding the turnover or gross receipts reported for GST.
• Schedule Tax deferred on ESOP:Information related to Tax deferred - relatable to income on perquisites referred in section 17(2)(vi) received from employer, being an eligible start-up referred to in section 80-IAC

Part B

• Part B-TI: It includes computation of a taxpayer’s total income.
• Part B-TTI: This section computes the tax liability on one’s total income.

Verification

And lastly, the ITR-3 structure contains verification to authenticate the information furnished above.

An ITR-3 form is applicable to any individual or Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) whose total income for a given assessment year includes the following:

• Income from a profession or business carried under a proprietorship firm, wherein the taxpayer is a proprietor (both audit and non-audit cases)
• Income earned from one or multiple house properties
• Rewards earned by winning a lottery, horse racing, and other activities falling under ‘Income from Other Sources’
• Income assets by way of assets in a country outside India
• Income generated from short or long-term capital gains

Now that you know about ITR-3 eligibility, let’s delve into how to file ITR-3.

ITR-3 filing online is compulsory. You can file an ITR-3 online by following these step-by-step instructions:

• Step 1: The ITR-3 online filing process starts off with you visiting the official e-filing web portal of the Income Tax Department.

• Step 2: Log in to this portal by entering your user ID (PAN), password, and a Captcha code. However, if you are a new user, you need to first register an account with the portal.
• Step 3: Select the option ‘e-File’ on the menu and click on ‘Income Tax Return’ from the drop-down menu.
• Step 4: This page auto-populates your PAN details. Now, go ahead and select ‘Assessment Year’ for which you are filing the ITR. Then, select ‘ITR Form Number’ and opt for ‘ITR-3’.
• Step 5: Choose ‘Filing Type’ as ‘Original.’ If you wish to file a revised return against a previously filed original return, then select ‘Revised Return.’
• Step 6: Find the option ‘Submission Mode’ and select ‘Prepare and Submit Online.’ Now, click on ‘Continue.’
• Step 7: At this point, you are required to provide details of income, exemptions, deductions as well as investments. Then, add the details of tax payments by way of TDS, TCS, and/or advance tax.
• Step 8: Remember to fill all data carefully and accurately. Additionally, click on ‘Save the Draft’ periodically to avoid losing any data.
• Step 9: Select your preferred verification option from the following:

•  Instant e-verification

•  E-verification at a later date but within 30 days from the date of filing ITR-3

•  Verification through a duly signed ITR-V sent to CPC (Centralised Processing Centre) via post and within 30 days  of filing a return

• Step 10: Select ‘Preview and Submit’, and then ‘Submit.’

A point to note here is that it is mandatory to verify returns electronically under digital signature for accounts requiring auditing u/s 44AB.

Furthermore, if one is required to submit a report of audit under specific sections, he/she shall file such a report electronically before filing the ITR. These sections are 115JB, 115JC, 80-IA, 80-IB, 80-IC, 80-ID, 50B, 44AB, 44DA, or 10AA.

Additionally, when you select the option ‘I would like to e-verify,’ you can opt for instant e-verification in any one of the following manners:

• Digitally sign the verification part
• Authenticate the process by way of an electronic verification code (EVC)
• Use your Aadhaar details to enter an OTP
• Authenticating through a prevalidated bank or Demat account

This is the detailed procedure regarding how to file ITR-3 online.

Also, these taxpayers should not have any tax refund requests if they want to file this form offline.

The assessment year 2023-24 brought about a number of key changes in ITR-3. Here is a list of the major changes in this form:

• An assessee must disclose the following information when filing returns:
• Amount of cash deposits in excess of ₹1 crore in the current account with any bank
• Expenditure incurred by the individual on foreign travel exceeding ₹2,00,000
• If the taxpayer incurs more than ₹1,00,000 on electricity charges
• If an individual earns short or long-term capital gains by selling a building and/or land, he/she must furnish some details of this sale. These details include a taxpayer’s PAN or Aadhaar information, residential address, and percentage share of ownership.
• Introduction of a separate schedule 112 A. It shall calculate long-term capital gains on the sale units of a business liable to STT or equity shares. 
• If a taxpayer holds the position of a company’s director or has unlisted equity investments, the ‘Type of Company’ must be disclosed. 
• An individual must provide details of tax deduction claims for expenditures, payments, or investments made between 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2023.

And with that, we have reached the end of this article. We hope that this guide offers an in-depth understanding of ITR-3, so that you can file returns without much hassle.