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The tax filing season for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26 is underway, and many taxpayers are exploring their options for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) online. While filing directly on the official government portal is free, many choose third-party websites for added convenience, expert help, or assistance with complex returns. These platforms offer different levels of service, and their charges vary accordingly. Here’s a clear and detailed look at the online ITR filing charges across popular websites to help you decide which option suits you best.
Key Highlights To Consider
Filing on the official Income Tax Department e-filing site incurs no charges but offers limited support.
Third-party platforms provide self-filing, assisted filing, and CA-assisted filing, with costs increasing based on the complexity and level of help.
Charges differ widely depending on income type, form complexity, and the platform chosen.
The deadline for filing without penalties for most individuals is September 15, 2025, so timely action is advised.
Higher charges often come with expert advice, review of returns, and faster processing.
Breaking Down The Charges
To give you a clearer picture, here’s a comparison of CA-assisted filing fees across popular websites segmented by income category and service complexity:
For Salaried Individuals With Income up to Rs 50 Lakhs
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TaxManager.in: Rs 1,250
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ClearTax.in: Rs 3,249
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MyITreturn.com: Rs 1,000
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Tax2Win.in: Rs 1,541 to 1,962
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TaxSpanner: Rs 699
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Tax Buddy: Rs 999
For Salaried Individuals With Income Above Rs 50 Lakhs
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TaxManager.in: Rs 5,000
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ClearTax.in: Rs 5,950
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MyITreturn.com: Rs 2,000
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Tax2Win.in: Rs 1,541 to 1,962
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TaxSpanner: Rs 4,899
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Tax Buddy: Rs 1,099
For Capital Gains and Investment Income
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TaxManager.in: Rs 4,500
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ClearTax.in: Rs 5,950 to 8,750
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MyITreturn.com: Rs 4,000
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Tax2Win.in: Rs 4,908
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TaxSpanner: Rs 2,449 to 4,999
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Tax Buddy: Rs 2,999
For Professionals and Self-Employed Taxpayers
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TaxManager.in: Rs 5,000
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ClearTax.in: Rs 5,950 to 8,750
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MyITreturn.com: Rs 5,000
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Tax2Win.in: Rs 3,066
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TaxSpanner: Rs 4,999
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Tax Buddy: Rs 2,499
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
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TaxManager.in: Rs 5,000
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ClearTax.in: Rs 8,750
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MyITreturn.com: Rs 1,000 to 6,000
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Tax2Win.in: Rs 9,203
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TaxSpanner: Rs 4,199
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Tax Buddy: Rs 4,499
Understanding Different Service Tiers
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Self-Filing: Platforms offer the tools and software, but you fill in and submit the return yourself. Fees are lower but you must be confident to do your own filing.
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Assisted Filing: Combines automated review with limited expert help to guide you through the return filing process.
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CA-Assisted Filing: You get personalized expert support, review of your return, and help with complex cases. This comes at a higher fee but provides peace of mind.
Why You Might Pay For Filing
Third-party platforms often bring value beyond free filing such as better user experience, error checks, refunds tracking, and help with complex income sources like capital gains or foreign income. Some also offer audit support and post-filing assistance, which can justify the price.
Deadline And Late Fees
Most individual taxpayers without audit requirements must file their ITR by September 15, 2025, to avoid late fees. Late filing after the deadline can lead to penalties of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 and interest on due taxes. Filing before the deadline is strongly advised.
Choosing The Right Platform For You
Consider your filing complexity, comfort with taxes, budget, and need for expert help. If you have straightforward salaried income and confidence, free or low-cost self-filing might suffice. For complicated returns, choose a CA-assisted service but compare prices and reviews beforehand.
In summary, while free filing is possible, many opt to pay for convenience and expert help. The charges for AY 2025-26 online ITR filing vary widely across platforms and service levels. Knowing these can help you make a well-informed decision that fits your needs and budget.
Source: Economic Times, ClearTax, TaxManager.in, MyITreturn.com, Tax2Win.in, TaxSpanner, Tax Buddy, Income Tax Department
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