ITR, or Income Tax Return, is the official form you file each year to declare your total income, the deductions and exemptions you're claiming, and your resulting tax liability to the Income Tax Department. Filing an ITR isn't just a formality — it's also required if you want to claim a tax refund, carry forward certain losses, or provide proof of income for things like visa applications or loan approvals.
There are different ITR forms depending on your sources of income and category of taxpayer — for instance, a simple salaried individual with no business income typically uses a simpler form than someone with capital gains or business income. The filing deadline is usually July 31st for individuals not requiring an audit, though this can be extended in some years, and filing late can attract penalties and interest on any unpaid tax.