Comparing ITR-3 and ITR-4: Which One is Right for You?

Choosing the right ITR form between ITR-3 and ITR-4 can be confusing for self-employed individuals in India. If you’re also reeling from this confusion, join us as we clear the air in this video!

First, we’ll discuss ITR-3. This form can be ideal for business owners like shopkeepers, consultants, freelancers, or anyone running their own practice. If you're filing taxes on business income as a Hindu Undivided Family, ITR-3 could be your go-to option. However, remember that those with foreign income or single-property rental income cannot use ITR-3.

Next, you'll understand which incomes ITR-3 covers. For this form, you can include business earnings, professional income, and other sources. These could be capital gains and income from multiple rental properties. We’ll explain how this could help those with a more complex income structure.

Then, the video will explore ITR-4. This is for individuals or HUFs whose income comes from a business or profession under the presumptive income scheme. Here, business income is calculated at 8% for non-digital transactions and 6% for digital ones. You’ll also learn that it’s set at 50% of gross receipts for professionals.

In summary, ITR-3 could be better suited for complex income structures, while ITR-4 might be ideal for simpler ones.

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Key Takeaways

ITR-3 is for individuals and HUFs with income from profits and gains from business or profession

ITR-4 is for those individuals and HUFs who have opted for the presumptive income scheme

ITR-3 requires detailed information about business income, expenses, and profits, without any approximations

ITR-4 allows taxpayers to declare their income based on prescribed rates, simplifying the calculation process

The presumptive scheme under Section 44AD allows taxpayers to file ITR by estimating their income based on a percentage of their business turnover (sales)

ITR-3 is for businesses with high turnover or complex transactions, while ITR-4 is for simpler businesses

ITR-4 is for small business owners whose turnover does not exceed ₹2 Crores and professionals earning up to ₹50 Lakhs

Frequently Asked Questions
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ITR-3 is designed for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) with earnings from profits and gains from business or profession. In contrast, ITR-4 is for individuals and HUFs who also earn from businesses or professions but have opted for the presumptive income scheme. This allows them the benefit of simplified reporting based on a percentage of their turnover.
You can use ITR-3 if you are an individual or HUF with income from a proprietary business or profession. This form is also suitable for those with income from multiple house properties or other sources. This could be beneficial for reporting diverse income streams comprehensively. However, you'll need to maintain detailed books of accounts and report all your income and expenses accurately.
ITR-4 is intended for individuals and HUFs who earn from their professions and businesses. However, the condition is that they have opted for the presumptive income scheme. It allows you to declare your income based on a fixed percentage of your business turnover rather than detailed accounts. Hence, this option could simplify the tax filing process for your business.
The presumptive scheme under Section 44AD allows taxpayers to estimate their income based on a percentage of their business turnover (sales). Under Section 44AD, you can declare 6-8% of your total sales as your taxable income, without maintaining detailed books. If your turnover is under ₹2 Crores, this could help simplify your tax filing process. This could simplify tax compliance for small businesses.
In terms of complexity, ITR-3 might require detailed information about your business income, expenses, and profits. As a result, it could leave little room for approximations in your tax calculations. On the other hand, ITR-4 could simplify the process. Here, taxpayers could declare their income based on prescribed rates. Hence, you might find it easier to calculate and file your taxes without extensive documentation.
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