Income tax return filing is the process of submitting an income tax return to the Income Tax Department of a country. It is mandatory for individuals and businesses to file their income tax returns every year, providing details of their income and the taxes paid on it. Income tax return filing enables the government to calculate the tax liability of individuals and businesses and determine if they have paid the correct amount of tax.

To file an income tax return, an individual or business needs to first register themselves with the Income Tax Department and obtain a unique identification number called a Permanent Account Number (PAN). Once registered, they need to collect all the required documents related to their income, such as salary slips, bank statements, investment statements, and other relevant financial documents.

Using the information collected, the individual or business needs to calculate their total income and determine the tax liability based on the income tax rates applicable in the country. The income tax return is then prepared and filed with the Income Tax Department before the due date.

Filing income tax returns has various benefits, such as claiming tax refunds, obtaining loans from banks and financial institutions, and providing proof of income for various purposes. It is important to file income tax returns on time and accurately to avoid penalties and legal issues.