Best Websites to File ITR Online (Free & Paid)

Best Websites to File ITR Online (Free & Paid)

Filing your income tax return no longer means standing in a queue or hiring a chartered accountant. A handful of websites let you file your ITR online in minutes — some completely free, others charging a fee for hand-holding and expert review. This guide compares the best websites to file ITR online in India, so you can pick the one that fits your income and comfort level for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27).

Start Here: The Official Portal Is Free

Before you pay anyone, know this: the government's own Income Tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) lets you file your ITR completely free. It comes with a pre-filled return — your salary, TDS, interest and other reported income are auto-populated from your AIS and Form 26AS — so for most salaried people, filing is just a matter of checking the numbers and submitting.

If your taxes are straightforward (salary, one or two house properties, interest income), the official portal is genuinely all you need. See our step-by-step guide to filing your return online.

When Should You Use a Paid Platform?

Third-party platforms earn their fee when your situation gets complicated. Consider one if you:

• Have capital gains from shares, mutual funds or F&O trading and want them imported and calculated automatically
• Run a business or profession and need help with the right disclosures
• Want a chartered accountant to review or file on your behalf
• Need support if you get a tax notice after filing

Best ITR Filing Platforms Compared

Platform	Best for	Free option	Paid plans from*
Income Tax portal	Simple salaried returns	Fully free	—
ClearTax	Most cases, incl. crypto	DIY free tier	Paid assisted plans
Quicko	Traders & investors	Yes	~₹99/month
TaxBuddy	Expert help + notice support	—	~₹999/year
Tax2win	Salaried wanting CA help	—	~₹1,499
EZTax	Easy DIY filing	Free tier	Paid plans

*Indicative starting prices — always check the platform's current pricing, which changes each season.

ClearTax

One of India's most popular tax platforms, ClearTax supports a huge range of income types (300+), imports capital gains from 80+ brokers, and even handles crypto. It offers both DIY filing and expert-assisted plans, making it a solid all-rounder for simple and complex returns alike.

Quicko

Built for traders and investors, Quicko can auto-import your equity, intraday and F&O transactions to calculate capital gains in minutes. If your tax headache is mostly about the stock market, this is the specialist tool — plans start around ₹99/month.

TaxBuddy

TaxBuddy pairs AI automation with expert guidance and stands out for post-filing support — including free resolution of income tax notices for returns filed through it. Plans start from about ₹999/year for salary with one house property.

Tax2win

Tax2win focuses on quick, affordable, CA-assisted filing for salaried individuals — upload your Form 16 and a tax expert handles the rest. Standard salaried plans are priced from around ₹1,499.

EZTax

EZTax is known for being simple and fast, with a Form-16 photo reader and a built-in tax optimizer that suggests ways to save. It has both a free tier and paid plans, on web and app.

How to Choose the Right One for You

• Salaried with simple income? Use the free official portal (or a free DIY tier).
• Active stock/F&O trader? Quicko's auto-import saves real time.
• Want a CA to do it for you? Tax2win or TaxBuddy.
• Complex income or crypto? ClearTax handles the widest range.

Whichever you pick, the prep work is the same — so use our Income Tax Calculator to estimate your liability first.

Before You File — A Quick Checklist

• Pick the correct ITR form for your income.
• Decide between the old and new tax regime.
• Reconcile your income and TDS with your AIS and Form 26AS.
• Keep your PAN, Aadhaar, bank details and Form 16 handy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my ITR for free?

Yes. The official Income Tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) is completely free and comes with a pre-filled return. Several third-party platforms also offer free DIY tiers for simple returns.

Which is the best free website to file ITR?

For most salaried taxpayers, the official Income Tax portal is the best free option — it's authoritative, secure and pre-fills your data. Free DIY tiers on platforms like ClearTax or EZTax are alternatives if you prefer a guided interface.

Do I need a CA to file my ITR?

Not for a simple salaried return — you can file it yourself in minutes. A CA-assisted plan (Tax2win, TaxBuddy, ClearTax) is worth it if you have business income, capital gains, foreign assets, or simply want an expert to review and file for you.

Which platform is best for stock traders?

Quicko is purpose-built for traders — it auto-imports equity, intraday and F&O trades and computes your capital gains, which is far quicker than entering them manually.

Is it safe to file ITR through a third-party website?

Reputable, established platforms are registered e-Return Intermediaries with the Income Tax Department and use bank-grade security. Stick to well-known names, check reviews, and never share your portal password unnecessarily.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Platform features and pricing change frequently — verify current details on each provider's website. Always confirm filings on the official Income Tax Department portal.