After preparing your Income-tax Return on myITreturn, you can submit it using either of the following methods:

• Direct filing through myITreturn: Authorise myITreturn as your Electronic Return Intermediary and select Submit ITR Now.
• Manual filing through JSON: Download the prepared ITR JSON file from myITreturn and upload it on the Income Tax e-Filing portal.

This guide explains how to download the JSON file, upload it on the Income Tax portal, complete verification and update the acknowledgement number in your myITreturn account.

Before You Upload the ITR JSON File

Keep the following information ready:

• Your myITreturn login details;
• Your Income Tax e-Filing portal password;
• The JSON file downloaded from myITreturn;
• Access to an available e-verification method;
• The correct Assessment Year and ITR form; and
• Any outstanding tax-payment challan details, where applicable.

Part 1: Download the ITR JSON File from myITreturn

Step 1: Sign in to Your myITreturn Account

Visit myITreturn.com and sign in to your account.

Step 2: Select the Taxpayer Profile

Select the member or taxpayer profile for whom the Income-tax Return has been prepared.

Step 3: Choose Whether to Authorise myITreturn as Your ERI

If myITreturn has not been authorised as your Electronic Return Intermediary, an authorisation screen may appear.

You may either:

• Complete the authorisation and file the return directly through myITreturn; or
• Select Skip Now to continue with the manual JSON download and upload process.

This article follows the manual JSON filing option.

Step 4: Download the Prepared ITR JSON File

The filing screen will provide the following options:

• Submit ITR Now: Authorise myITreturn as your ERI and submit the return directly through myITreturn.
• Download JSON: Download the prepared return file and upload it manually on the Income Tax e-Filing portal.

Select Download JSON and save the file in an easily accessible folder on your computer or device.

Part 2: Upload the ITR JSON on the Income Tax e-Filing Portal

Step 1: Open the Income Tax e-Filing Portal

Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal and click Login.

Step 2: Enter Your PAN or User ID

Enter your PAN in the User ID field and click Continue.

Step 3: Enter Your e-Filing Password

Confirm the secure-access message displayed on the portal, enter your password and complete the login process.

Step 4: Start Filing Your Income-tax Return

From the dashboard, go to:

e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return

Click File Now to proceed.

Step 5: Select the Assessment Year and Offline Filing Mode

Select the details applicable to your return, including:

• Assessment Year: Select AY 2026-27 for income earned during FY 2025-26;
• Mode of filing: Select Offline;
• Filing status: Select the option applicable to you;
• Return type: Select original, belated, revised or another applicable type; and
• ITR form: Select the same ITR form used to prepare the JSON file.

Step 6: Attach the JSON File

Click the option to attach or upload a file.

Select the JSON file downloaded from myITreturn and proceed with the upload.

Step 7: Review and Resolve Validation Errors

The portal will validate the uploaded JSON file.

If an error appears, note the exact error message. Common reasons include:

• The JSON was prepared for a different Assessment Year;
• The wrong ITR form or filing type was selected;
• The JSON file is based on an older schema or utility version;
• Mandatory information is incomplete;
• The PAN or other taxpayer details do not match; or
• The JSON file was edited or damaged after downloading.

Correct the information in myITreturn, generate a fresh JSON file and upload it again.

Step 8: Submit and Verify the Return

If the JSON passes validation, review the return details and proceed with submission and verification.

Step 9: Select an ITR Verification Method

Select an available verification method, such as:

• Aadhaar OTP;
• Electronic Verification Code through a prevalidated bank or demat account;
• Net banking;
• Digital Signature Certificate, where applicable;
• Verification later within the permitted period; or
• Sending a signed physical ITR-V to CPC, where applicable.

Part 3: Update the ITR Acknowledgement Number on myITreturn

After successful submission, the Income Tax portal will generate an ITR acknowledgement number.

If the return was manually filed through JSON and the status is not updated automatically on myITreturn, enter the acknowledgement number by following the steps below.

Step 1: Open the Acknowledgement Update Option

Return to your taxpayer dashboard on myITreturn and click the highlighted acknowledgement update link.

Step 2: Enter the ITR Acknowledgement Number

A pop-up window will appear. Enter the acknowledgement number generated by the Income Tax portal and click Submit.

Enter the number exactly as shown on the ITR acknowledgement.

Step 3: Confirm the Updated Filing Status

After submission, return to the dashboard and confirm that the ITR acknowledgement and filing status have been updated.

Final Checklist After Uploading the ITR JSON

• Confirm that the JSON was uploaded for the correct Assessment Year.
• Check that the correct ITR form and filing type were selected.
• Ensure that the portal displayed a successful submission message.
• Download and retain the ITR acknowledgement.
• Complete e-verification within the applicable time limit.
• Confirm that the filing status is updated on the Income Tax portal.
• Update the acknowledgement number on myITreturn, where required.

Common Problems While Uploading an ITR JSON File

The Income Tax Portal Is Not Accepting the JSON File

Check whether the file belongs to the correct PAN, Assessment Year, return type and ITR form. If the file was generated earlier, prepare and download a fresh JSON using the current return schema.

The Portal Shows a Validation Error

Note the exact validation message. Correct the underlying information in myITreturn, regenerate the JSON and upload the new file.

The Return Was Uploaded but Is Still Unverified

Log in to the Income Tax portal and complete e-verification using an available method. Uploading the JSON alone does not complete the verification process.

The myITreturn Dashboard Does Not Show the Filing Status

Enter the acknowledgement number generated by the Income Tax portal using the acknowledgement update option shown above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file directly through myITreturn without downloading JSON?

Yes. If myITreturn is authorised as your Electronic Return Intermediary, you may use the Submit ITR Now option, subject to the authorisation and verification steps displayed on the platform.

Can I edit the downloaded JSON file?

No. Do not manually modify the JSON file. Make corrections in the return on myITreturn and generate a fresh file.

Is my return filed immediately after downloading the JSON?

No. You must upload and submit the JSON on the Income Tax e-Filing portal and complete verification.

Can I use the same JSON for another Assessment Year?

No. A JSON file is prepared for a specific taxpayer, Assessment Year, ITR form and filing type.

What should I do if I selected the wrong ITR form?

Return to myITreturn, correct the return details, generate a new JSON and select the corresponding ITR form while uploading it on the Income Tax portal.

Why should I update the acknowledgement number on myITreturn?

Updating the acknowledgement number helps your myITreturn dashboard reflect the return that was manually filed through the Income Tax portal.

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