ITR Filing 2025: Comparing Fees of 8 Top Websites (Don't Pay More Than You Have To)

• Admin
• August 02, 2025

ITR Filing 2025: Comparing Fees of 8 Top Websites (Don't Pay More Than You Have To)

The deadline to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) for AY 2025-26 is September 15, 2025. While the official government portal is free, many taxpayers use private websites like ClearTax, Tax2win, Quicko, TaxBuddy, MyITR, TaxSpanner, Legaldev, and Onlinegstregistration.co for their user-friendly services. The fees for these platforms vary based on your income type (salary, capital gains, business) and the level of assistance you need. This article provides an in-depth comparison of their charges to help you make an informed decision.

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Introduction

 

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is a mandatory process for every Indian taxpayer. For Financial Year 2024-25, the Assessment Year (AY) is 2025-26, and it's crucial to file your ITR on time to avoid penalties and interest. Although the Income Tax Department's portal offers a free filing service, many people prefer using third-party websites. These platforms provide value-added services like a user-friendly interface, auto-filled data, and expert assistance, making the process much simpler.

 

However, these convenience-based services come with different charges. In this article, we'll provide a detailed comparison of the ITR filing fees charged by eight of India's most popular ITR filing websites: ClearTax, Tax2win, Quicko, TaxBuddy, MyITR, TaxSpanner, Legaldev, and Onlinegstregistration.co. Our goal is to help you choose the most suitable and cost-effective option for AY 2025-26.

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Detailed Comparison of ITR Filing Charges for AY 2025-26

 

Every ITR filing website structures its services into different plans. The cost of these plans depends on the complexity of your income, the type of ITR form required, and whether you need a Chartered Accountant's (CA) assistance or not. Let's break down the charges of these eight websites based on various income categories.

 

1. Salaried Individuals

 

This is the most common category. If your income comes only from your salary (and maybe from one house property or other sources), your ITR filing is relatively straightforward.

 

• Legaldev: This platform offers a very affordable self-filing option for ITR-1 starting at just ₹399. Their expert-assisted services are also very competitive.

 

• Onlinegstregistration.co: This website also offers cost-effective solutions for salaried individuals. Their fees are typically low for basic salary returns and higher for more complex cases.

 

• ClearTax: The expert-assisted service for salaried individuals starts at around ₹2,539 (for income below ₹50 lakh). If your income is above ₹50 lakh, the charge increases to ₹4,719.

 

• Tax2win: Their expert-assisted salary plan starts at ₹1,274, making it an affordable choice that simplifies your filing.

 

• TaxBuddy: TaxBuddy's expert-assisted salary plan is very competitive at ₹999 (for income below ₹50 lakh).

 

• MyITR: MyITR is one of the lowest-priced options in this category, with an expert-assisted salary plan available for ₹1,000 (for income below ₹50 lakh).

 

• Quicko: Quicko has a different model. Their 'Basic' plan is free for salaried individuals with an income up to ₹10 lakh. The 'Essential' plan starts from ₹149 per month and covers complexities like capital gains.

 

• TaxSpanner: TaxSpanner’s expert-assisted salary plan is one of the most budget-friendly options at ₹899 (for income below ₹50 lakh).

 

2. Capital Gains

 

Profit from selling shares, mutual funds, or property is called Capital Gains. This section can be a bit complex in ITR filing, so expert help is often needed.

 

• Legaldev: They provide expert assistance for capital gains filing, with fees varying based on the complexity of your income.

 

• Onlinegstregistration.co: Their plans typically include complex cases like capital gains, with a higher fee than the basic salaried plans.

 

• ClearTax: The expert-assisted plan for capital gains filing is priced at ₹4,719.

 

• Tax2win: Tax2win charges ₹4,249 for this service.

 

• TaxBuddy: This platform provides expert-assisted service for capital gains at a comparatively low price of ₹2,999.

 

• MyITR: This service is available on MyITR for ₹4,000.

 

• Quicko: Quicko includes capital gains in its 'Essential' or 'Elite' plans, priced at ₹149 and ₹199 per month (billed annually), respectively.

 

• TaxSpanner: TaxSpanner charges ₹3,149 for this category.

 

3. Professionals/Self-Employed/Consultants

 

Freelancers, consultants, and small business owners often file ITR-3 or ITR-4 (if they opt for the presumptive taxation scheme). Accurate reporting of accounts is very important for them.

 

• Legaldev: Legaldev also offers ITR filing services for professionals and businesses, with fees determined by the business's turnover and income complexity.

 

• Onlinegstregistration.co: As the name suggests, this platform focuses on GST and business-related services, making it a strong choice for this segment.

 

• ClearTax: The charge for this category on ClearTax is ₹4,719.

 

• Tax2win: Tax2win is a cost-effective option at ₹2,655.

 

• TaxBuddy: TaxBuddy's charge is ₹2,499, which is one of the lowest in this segment.

 

• MyITR: MyITR charges ₹5,000 for this service.

 

• TaxSpanner: TaxSpanner's charge is ₹6,499, which is a bit higher.

 

• Quicko: Quicko’s plans for this category are covered in their 'Essential' and 'Elite' plans.

4. NRI (Non-Resident Indians)

 

ITR filing for NRIs is often complex as it involves foreign income and aspects of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA).

 

• Legaldev: Legaldev also offers expert-assisted services for NRI filing, considering international rules and DTAA.

 

• Onlinegstregistration.co: This website provides specialized services for NRIs, catering to their often business-oriented or professional clientele.

 

• ClearTax: ClearTax charges ₹6,759 for NRI filing.

 

• Tax2win: This service from Tax2win is a little expensive at ₹7,968.

 

• TaxBuddy: TaxBuddy is an affordable choice at ₹4,499.

 

• MyITR: MyITR’s NRI filing fee is ₹2,000, which is very competitive.

 

• TaxSpanner: The charge from TaxSpanner is ₹5,399.

 

• Quicko: Quicko's 'Elite' plan includes foreign income and other complexities, priced at ₹199 per month.

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The rise of online ITR filing platforms is a significant step towards promoting financial literacy and transparency. By simplifying complex tax laws, these platforms make tax compliance easier for the common person. They not only save time and effort but also reduce the chances of errors, which helps citizens avoid unnecessary tax notices and penalties. This digital shift makes financial services more accessible and human-centric. By ensuring transparency and accuracy, these platforms also strengthen the trust between the government and its citizens.

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Conclusion

 

There are clear differences in the ITR filing fees of online websites for AY 2025-26. New players like Legaldev and Onlinegstregistration.co are entering the market with competitive prices, giving customers more options. If you are a salaried individual with an income below ₹50 lakh, Legaldev, TaxSpanner, TaxBuddy, MyITR, and Tax2win could be the most affordable choices. For income that includes capital gains or business income, TaxBuddy and Tax2win offer the best value. For NRI filing, MyITR and TaxBuddy are the most budget-friendly options, while websites like ClearTax charge a higher fee.

It’s important to remember that price is not the only factor. You should also consider which platform offers better customer service, an easy interface, and additional features like notice assistance. Understand your needs first, and then make the best decision that suits your financial situation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

• Q1: Does the Income Tax Department's portal offer a free ITR filing service?

  • A1: Yes, the official e-filing portal of the Income Tax Department (incometax.gov.in) provides a completely free ITR filing service for all taxpayers.

• Q2: What's the difference between self-filing and expert-assisted plans on ITR websites?

  • A2: 'Self-filing' means you use the website's interface to file your ITR on your own. In 'expert-assisted' plans, a tax expert or CA from the website helps you file your ITR based on your documents.

• Q3: What is the starting fee for ITR filing on Legaldev?

  • A3: Legaldev starts its self-filing service for ITR-1 (for salaried individuals) at ₹49, making it one of the most affordable options available.

• Q4: What happens if I choose the wrong ITR form?

  • A4: If you accidentally file the wrong ITR form, you will have to file a revised return. Filing the incorrect form can cause your return to be considered a 'Defective Return.'

• Q5: What is the main benefit of using ITR filing websites?

  • A5: The main benefit of these websites is that they simplify complex ITR forms, auto-fill data for you, and provide expert assistance when needed. This reduces the chances of errors and makes the process easier.