All partnership firms are required to file income tax either manually or digitally. Income tax for a company can be validated with a digital signature or Electronic Verification Code (EVC). When a partnership firm needs to be audited, it is required to file its Income Tax Returns electronically (ITR). All partners must have a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for filing Income Tax returns to verify the ITR filing process. In this article, we have discussed all about ITR filing for partnership firm which will help you become more

What is a partnership firm?
A partnership is a business structure in which two or more people manage and operate a business in accordance with the terms and objectives set out in the partnership deed. It is owned, operated and controlled by an association of people for profit. Partnership firms are relatively easy to start and are prevalent among small and medium-sized businesses in the unorganized sector. Partnership firms are formed by drafting a partnership deed between the partners.

What deductions are allowed in a partnership firm?
Available deductible income must be taken into account while determining the amount of income tax that should be paid.

They are as follows:

• Payment of remuneration or interest to partners of a firm who do not comply with the rules of partnership.
• Payment of wages, commissions, bonuses and other compensation to non-executive partners of the firm.
• Even if the partners receive compensation according to the requirements of the partnership agreement, the transactions involve something that happened before the agreement was signed.

What form for Tax Return filing for partnership firm?
Form ITR-5 must be used to file tax returns on behalf of a partnership firm. Form ITR-5 is used for ITR for partnership firm. Form ITR-5 and ITR-3 should not be mixed. Like all other income tax return filings, ITR-5 filing can be done online through the Internet portal of the Income Tax Department.

Further, it should be noted that no supporting documents are required while completing this return. Only when specifically requested, these documents be filed with the Income Tax Department.

A company must file its income tax return digitally, whether it has a digital signature or not. Businesses are also allowed to file income tax returns using an Electronic Verification Code (EVC). However, when a partnership firm needs to be audited, it should file its income tax returns digitally. Partners must have a Class 3 digital signature to verify the ITR filing process while submitting their ITR.

Online ITR Filing Process:

• Login to the Income Tax e-filing portal.
• Click on the Income Tax Return link from the e-file menu.
• Select Assessment Year, ITR Form Number and Submission Mode.
• Once the submission mode is selected as Online, click on Continue.
• Read the instructions carefully and complete all the fields on the online ITR form which are correct and mandatory.
• On the 'Tax Paid and Verification' page, select the appropriate verification option.
• Select any e-verify option from the portal.
• Once this process is done, click on preview and submit the ITR form.
• Later, the filed ITR should be confirmed by using the 'My Account > E-Verify Return' option or by providing the signed ITR-V to the CPC.
• Now users can view the uploaded ITR.

Is there a time limit for paying partnership tax?
The deadline for filing income tax returns for a partnership firm is determined based on whether the firm needs to be audited. The due dates for filing ITR for partnership firms are as follows:

• In case the firm is not required to be audited, the income tax return must be filed by 31st July.
• When a company is to be audited, it must submit its ITR filing by 31st October.

Final Words
Compliance mainly involves ITR filing for partnership businesses, corporate entities such as limited liability partnerships and companies, which must file income tax returns as well as annual returns. Filing ITR can be difficult for a firm. Additionally, wrongly or improperly filing income tax returns can lead to serious penalties and other legal problems for the company.