"I can get you a bigger refund." Few sentences in personal finance are as tempting, or as risky.
In July 2025, the Income Tax Department announced a crackdown on bogus deduction and exemption claims. It said some ITR preparers and intermediaries lured taxpayers with promises of inflated refunds in exchange for a commission.
The department urged taxpayers not to rely on unauthorised agents who promise undue refunds. Those who made false claims were encouraged to revise their returns.
At Belong, we help NRIs and resident Indians file correctly every year.
This guide compares the best income tax filing services, websites and apps in India. It shows which one fits your situation, and which shortcuts to avoid.
Start With the Free Option: The Income Tax Portal
Every taxpayer can file directly on the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal at no cost.
You can file online or use the department's offline utility. The utility downloads your pre-filled data and lets you prepare the return on your computer. You then upload a JSON file to the portal.
Before filing, check your Annual Information Statement.
As per the AIS FAQs, it shows TDS, reported financial transactions and taxes paid. You can also give feedback on entries that look wrong.
The portal also offers a tax calculator that compares the old and new regimes.
Tip: Even if someone else files for you, log in yourself and review AIS. You are responsible for your return, not your preparer.
What an ERI Is, and Why It Matters
Most private tax filing apps work as e-Return Intermediaries, or ERIs.
The portal's assisted filing page describes them as authorised intermediaries that can file returns on your behalf.
It lists three types.
You can add, activate, deactivate or remove an ERI using the "My ERI" service on the portal. An ERI can also add you as a client, but only with your consent.
The portal's navigation includes an ERI list. Check it before trusting any app with your login.
Note: Belong has it's own tax filing services you can make use of here.
Our Top List
We ranked these on safety, transparency, suitability for different income types and support when things go wrong.
The Platforms, Compared
1. Income Tax e-Filing Portal
The department's own portal is free. It handles pre-filled data, online filing, offline utilities and e-verification.
Who it suits: Salaried taxpayers with simple income who are comfortable reviewing their own data.
How it compares: No cost and no third party. But it offers little guidance on complex situations like capital gains across many trades.
Our guide on how to e-verify your income tax return covers the final step that many people forget.
2. Quicko
Quicko's help article states that connecting your account adds Quicko as your ERI.
Its NRI filing page offers a self-serve flow that starts with a residential status questionnaire. It covers NRE and NRO interest, capital gains and TDS refunds on rent and property sales. An expert-filed NRI option is also listed.
Who it suits: Investors with capital gains, traders and NRIs who want structured DIY tools.
How it compares: Strong on investment income. Plan prices vary by income and complexity, so check the current plan before you start.
3. ClearTax
ClearTax is one of the most widely known tax filing websites in India. Its e-filing FAQ explains its guided filing process.
Who it suits: Salaried filers who want a step-by-step guided experience.
How it compares: Familiar and simple for standard cases. ClearTax's ERI explainer does not state its own ERI status, so confirm on the portal's ERI list.
4. TaxBuddy
TaxBuddy's about page states it has been registered as an E-Return Intermediary since 2018. It offers assisted filing by tax experts.
Who it suits: Busy professionals who want someone else to prepare the return.
How it compares: More hands-on help than DIY apps. The about page does not mention NRI-specific services.
5. Tax2win
Tax2win's home page offers both DIY filing and the option to hire an online CA. It also mentions NRI tax filing support.
Who it suits: Taxpayers who want CA help without visiting an office.
How it compares: Similar to TaxBuddy. The home page does not state its ERI status, so check the portal's ERI list.
6. A Chartered Accountant You Know
For some situations, an app is not enough. Business income, multiple properties, tax notices and foreign assets often need a professional.
Who it suits: Anyone with complex income, past filing errors or pending notices.
How it compares: Most expensive, but accountable and personal. Make sure the CA is registered and answers your questions clearly.
Our guide on NRI tax filing with a CA vs filing yourself helps you decide.
7. NRI-Focused Filing Services
NRI returns bring questions that general apps handle unevenly. Residential status, DTAA relief, NRO interest TDS and property sale refunds all need care.
Our own tax filing service is built for NRIs and returning Indians. It covers residency checks, AIS reconciliation and refund claims.
How it compares: More specialised than general apps. For NRIs with simple Indian income, a good DIY platform may be enough.
Side by Side: Which Fits Your Return?
Our guide on ITR-2 vs ITR-3 explains the common form choice for investors.
Red Flags in Any Tax Filing Service
The department's July 2025 release describes how some preparers worked. They created temporary email IDs for bulk filing, so official notices went unread.
Watch for these signs.
A promised refund before seeing your documents.
No honest preparer can promise a number in advance.Deductions you never claimed or cannot prove.
Your return carries your name, not theirs.Their email or phone on your return.
Notices must reach you.A commission linked to your refund.
That rewards inflating claims.Pressure to skip AIS review.
Mismatches surface later as notices.
What happens if you ignore these signs? The department said it plans action against continued fraudulent claims, including penalty and prosecution.
The tax liability stays with you.
The department has also long warned about phishing. Its press release on fraudulent refund emails cautions taxpayers against mails asking for bank details to process refunds.
Tip: Never share your portal password or OTP over a call or message. Authorise an ERI through the portal instead.
A Pattern We See With First-Time NRI Filers
Say you moved to Dubai two years ago. You still have an NRO account, a flat in Pune on rent and a few mutual funds.
You use the same app you used as a salaried resident. It defaults to resident status. You miss NRO interest TDS and the rent TDS your tenant deducted.
The return goes through. Months later, a notice arrives about a mismatch.
This is one of the most common NRI tax filing mistakes we see. Our guide on tax notices after filing explains how to respond.
If this sounds familiar, our tax filing service can review your past returns and help you correct them.
For NRIs: What a Good Service Must Handle
Residential status: It decides what is taxable in India. Get this right before anything else.
Refunds on excess TDS: NRIs often face higher TDS on interest, rent and property sales. Our guides on claiming NRI tax refunds and excess TDS deducted by banks explain how. Refunds also improve your cash flow, so do not leave them unclaimed.
DTAA relief: Tax treaties can reduce double taxation. Our guide on claiming DTAA benefits covers the process. UAE residents may need a tax residency certificate, as our UAE TRC guide explains.
Filing from abroad: You do not need to travel. Our guide on filing taxes in India without visiting explains how.
Before you start, use our documents checklist for NRI tax filing. If you are unsure whether you even need to file, read who needs to file income tax in India.
For Resident Indians With Foreign Investments
If you invest abroad under LRS, your return gets more complex.
The Income Tax Department's note on foreign asset transparency states residents must report foreign assets in Schedule FA. It also says ITR-1 and ITR-4 cannot be used if you have foreign assets.
Many basic DIY plans do not handle this well. Choose a platform or professional that clearly supports foreign assets and foreign income.
GIFT City investments raise their own reporting questions. Our GIFT City mutual funds tool lists USD funds, and our GIFT City AIF tool covers alternatives. Our guide on how to invest in the USA from India explains the main routes.
Missed the Deadline or Made a Mistake?
Errors happen. The portal allows fixes within set timelines.
Our guides on belated returns for NRIs and revised returns for NRIs explain your options. The earlier you act, the fewer complications you face.
Tax Shapes Your Real Returns
Tax is not just paperwork. It decides how much of your return you keep.
A higher pre-tax return can still mean a lower real return after tax and inflation. That is why product choice and tax planning belong together.
For NRIs, tax and currency often point the same way. Compare deposit options in our guide on GIFT City FD vs FCNR vs NRO and NRE FDs. Our USD fixed deposits and NRI FD rates tool can help too.
GIFT City funds are often reviewed by NRIs and residents. Examples include the DSP Global Equity Fund and the Edelweiss Greater China Equity Fund. For India exposure in USD, NRIs may review the Tata India Dynamic Equity Fund. Another option is the Sundaram India Mid Cap Fund.
You can invest through our mutual funds product. Our regulatory details are on our licences page.
Investment Income You Must Not Forget
Many returns go wrong on investment income that seemed too small to matter.
Selling shares creates a taxable event, including picks from our list of best stocks. So does selling IPO allotments from our IPO product or listings like the GIFT City IPO.
Derivatives need even more care. Our futures and options product page and guide to GIFT Nifty futures explain how these trades work. Talk to a professional before filing F&O income.
Active traders often watch market signals daily. Our live GIFT Nifty tool and weekly GIFT Nifty outlook help. So do our GIFT Nifty historical data and guide to reading the GIFT Nifty chart.
Your Return and Your Credit Profile
Lenders often ask for past returns before approving loans. Clean, consistent filing helps.
Check your CIBIL score before applying. NRIs planning property should read our guide to NRI home loans. For cards, see our list of the best credit cards in India.
Our Final Take
The best income tax filing platform is the one that matches the complexity of your return.
For simple salary income, the free Income Tax portal is often enough. For investors and traders, Quicko and similar guided apps help. For expert support, TaxBuddy, Tax2win or a trusted CA work well. For NRIs, choose a service that handles residency, DTAA and refunds properly.
Whatever you choose, review your AIS, keep your own contact details on the return and never chase a promised refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best website to file income tax in India?
The Income Tax e-filing portal is free and works well for simple returns. Guided apps like Quicko and ClearTax suit more complex cases.
Are private tax filing apps safe?
Use apps registered as e-Return Intermediaries, and authorise them through the portal. Check the ERI list on the Income Tax portal.
Can NRIs file their income tax return online?
Yes. NRIs can file from abroad through the portal or an online service. Get residential status right first.
What if a preparer promises a bigger refund?
Be cautious. The Income Tax Department has warned against intermediaries who promise undue refunds through false claims.
Do I need a CA to file my ITR?
Not always. Simple returns can be filed yourself. Business income, foreign assets, property sales and notices often benefit from a CA.
Sources
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. Tax rules, forms and platform features change often. Please confirm details on the Income Tax portal and consult a qualified professional for your situation.