If you suddenly realize that you missed reporting an income or deduction when you filed your income tax return (ITR) for the previous fiscal, you have the option of filing a revised return. To be able to do this, you should have filed the original return before the due date, 31 July.

When to file a revised return

If you discover any omission or any wrong statement in your original return, you can re-file ITR with modifications. For instance, you may have forgotten to claim tax benefit for a donation made to a charitable organization that qualifies for a deduction under section 80G, or to add the interest earned from one of your savings account to your total income. In such cases you can file a revised return stating the changes. As per section 139(5) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, the revised return can be filed before the expiry of one year from the end of the relevant assessment year or before the completion of assessment by the income tax department, whichever is earlier. So, for instance, if you have already filed your return for financial year 2013-14 (FY14) before the due date, 31 July 2014, but want to make modifications, you can file a revised return till 31 March 2016. However, if the income tax department has already completed the assessment of your return, then you cannot file a revised return. So, if you missed some information then file a revised return at the earliest to avoid interest or penalties.

How to file a revised return

You can revise returns filed online and offline. However, an online return can be revised only online, and an offline one can be revised offline. For an online revision, you need the acknowledgement number and date of filing of the original return. Log on to the e-filing website of the income tax department (www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in), and open the Excel file wherein you originally filed the return. Enable the macros, and then select the option of revised return. Then select section 139(5) instead of 139(1). Now you will be able to make changes. Don’t forget to mention the acknowledgement number and date of the original return. Once you have made the alterations, click on compute tax, generate an XML file by validating each sheet, and then upload this file. Once the revised return is filed, download the revised ITR- V or acknowledgement and sign it. You need to send both the original as well as the revised ITR-V by ordinary post or Speed Post to the Central Processing Centre in Bangalore.

There is no restriction on the number of times you can file a revised return, provided it is done within the prescribed time limit. Once you file a revised return, the original or the earlier filed returns shall be deemed to be withdrawn and substituted by the most recent revised return.