Quick answer: which platform should you pick?
Short on time? Here is the honest version.
- Salaried, one Form 16, simple return: File free on the Income Tax portal, or use ClearTax if you want your Form 16 read automatically and your return checked in minutes.
- Salaried with capital gains (stocks, mutual funds, ESOPs): ClearTax. It imports broker statements and computes gains cleanly.
- Freelancer or consultant: ClearTax or Quicko. Both handle business income and presumptive taxation well.
- Active trader (F&O, intraday): Quicko. It is built around broker imports and trading P&L.
- You want a human to file for you: TaxBuddy. It pairs you with an expert.
- Lowest cost with hand-holding: EZTax.
There is no single winner for everyone. The right platform depends on how complex your income is and whether you want to do it yourself or hand it over.
The clock matters this year. The last date to file your ITR for AY 2026-27 without a late fee is 31 July 2026 for most individuals. Filing after that can cost you a fee under Section 234F and interest on any tax due.
How we tested
We did not rank these platforms from a spec sheet. We ran real returns through each one: a salaried return with a single Form 16, a return with capital gains from stocks and mutual funds, and a freelance return with business income.
For each platform we looked at:
- Onboarding. How fast can you start, and does it pull your data from the Income Tax portal or your broker?
- Accuracy. Did the computed tax match a manual calculation?
- Ease of use. Could a first-time filer finish without getting stuck?
- Support. What happens when you have a question at 11 pm on 30 July?
- Price for what you get. Not just the sticker price, but the plan you actually need.
Pricing changes every season and often jumps close to the deadline. Treat the numbers below as indicative and confirm the live price on each platform before you pay.
Comparison table
| Platform | Best for | Self-file price (indicative) | Assisted / expert filing | Form 16 auto-read | Capital gains / broker import | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClearTax | Salaried + capital gains, freelancers | Free tier, paid from ~₹1,000+ | Yes | Yes | Strong | Chat + expert plans |
| Quicko | Traders, F&O, freelancers | Free / low-cost self-file | Yes | Yes | Good, trader-focused | |
| TaxBuddy | People who want it done for them | Assisted-first | Yes (core model) | Yes | Dedicated expert | |
| EZTax | Budget assisted filing | Free / low-cost | Yes | Yes | Good for the price | |
| Income Tax portal | Simple salaried returns | Free | No | Partial (prefilled) | Government helpdesk |
Prices are indicative for AY 2026-27 and change near the deadline. Always check the current price on the platform before paying.
The platforms, reviewed
1. ClearTax — best all-rounder for salaried and capital gains
Rating: 4.5 / 5
ClearTax is the most polished self-file experience we tested. You upload your Form 16 and it reads the numbers for you. Connect your PAN and it pulls prefilled data from the Income Tax portal. If you sold stocks or mutual funds, it imports the statements and works out your capital gains without you touching a spreadsheet.
A real example. Take Ravi, a salaried designer in Pune who also sold some Zerodha holdings during the year. On his own he spent an evening confused about short-term versus long-term gains. On ClearTax he uploaded his Form 16, imported his broker P&L, and the platform separated STCG and LTCG, applied the ₹1.25 lakh LTCG exemption, and showed his final tax in about fifteen minutes.
Where it wins:
- Reads Form 16 and prefilled data automatically.
- Handles capital gains and multiple income sources cleanly.
- Clear, guided flow that a first-timer can follow.
- Both old and new regime compared side by side.
Where it falls short:
- The plan you actually need for capital gains or business income is paid, and prices rise near the deadline.
- Occasional upsell prompts during the flow.
Verdict: If your return is anything beyond a plain salary, ClearTax saves the most time for the least effort. Read our full ClearTax review for the hands-on detail, or check the ClearTax pricing before you pay. For a simple salary-only return, the free government portal will also do the job.
Planning to file your ITR? If ClearTax fits your situation, you can file through our referral link: File your ITR on ClearTax. We may earn a referral reward at no extra cost to you. We only recommend platforms we would use ourselves.
2. Quicko — best for traders and F&O
Rating: 4.3 / 5
Quicko is built for people whose tax pain is trading. It connects directly to brokers like Zerodha and imports your full trading history: intraday, F&O, short-term, long-term. It then classifies the income correctly, which is exactly where most traders get stuck.
A real example. Neha trades F&O part-time alongside her job. F&O is treated as business income, which pushes you into ITR-3 and can trigger audit questions. Quicko imported her Kite ledger, tagged the F&O as non-speculative business income, and flagged the turnover calculation that decides whether an audit applies. That single feature is worth the platform for an active trader.
Where it wins:
- Best-in-class broker import and trade classification.
- Strong for freelancers and business income too.
- Clean interface, fair pricing.
Where it falls short:
- Less hand-holding than a fully assisted service.
- Overkill if you only have a salary.
Verdict: If your return involves F&O, intraday, or heavy stock activity, Quicko is the platform that understands your data. See our full ClearTax vs Quicko comparison. For pure salary, it is more than you need.
3. TaxBuddy — best when you want an expert to file for you
Rating: 4.2 / 5
TaxBuddy is not really a DIY tool. Its core model is assisted filing: you share your documents, an assigned expert prepares the return, and you approve it. For people who find tax stressful, that is the whole point.
A real example. Anand, a first-time filer with a home loan and some fixed deposits, did not want to learn tax rules. He uploaded his documents to TaxBuddy, an expert asked two clarifying questions on chat, claimed his Section 80C and home loan interest deductions, and filed. He never saw a tax form.
Where it wins:
- A real person handles the return.
- Good for messy or first-time returns.
- Notice-handling and post-filing support.
Where it falls short:
- Costs more than self-filing.
- You depend on turnaround time near the deadline.
Verdict: If you value your time over the fee and want zero DIY, TaxBuddy is the calmest option.
4. EZTax — best budget assisted option
Rating: 4.0 / 5
EZTax covers both self-file and assisted filing at prices that undercut most competitors. The interface is less slick than ClearTax, but it is accurate and gets you filed. For a cost-conscious filer who still wants some help, it is strong value.
Where it wins:
- Low prices, including cheaper expert help.
- Covers most income types.
Where it falls short:
- Dated interface.
- Less automation than ClearTax or Quicko.
Verdict: The value pick. Best when budget is the deciding factor.
5. Income Tax portal — free, and fine for simple returns
Rating: 3.7 / 5
The government’s own portal at incometax.gov.in is free and now comes with a lot of prefilled data. For a salaried person with one Form 16, no capital gains, and standard deductions, it is genuinely all you need.
Where it wins:
- Free.
- Prefilled salary, TDS and interest data.
- Direct source, no middleman.
Where it falls short:
- No guidance when something is unclear.
- Capital gains and business income get hard fast.
- Errors are on you.
Verdict: Perfect for simple salaried returns. The moment your income gets complicated, a paid platform pays for itself in saved time and avoided mistakes.
How to choose by your situation
- First job, one Form 16, nothing else: Income Tax portal (free) or ClearTax if you want it checked.
- Salary + stocks or mutual funds: ClearTax.
- Salary + F&O or heavy trading: Quicko.
- Freelancer / consultant / 44ADA presumptive: ClearTax or Quicko.
- Small business owner: ClearTax, or TaxBuddy if you want it handled.
- You just want it done, no learning: TaxBuddy.
- Tight budget but want help: EZTax.
Free government portal vs paid platforms
Filing is free on the government portal, so why pay?
You pay for three things: time, accuracy, and confidence. A paid platform reads your documents, catches deductions you would miss, compares old versus new regime for you, and reduces the chance of a mistake that triggers a notice. If your return is simple, that value is small and free is the right call. If your return has capital gains, multiple income sources, or business income, the paid platform usually pays for itself.
A simple rule: one Form 16 and nothing else, file free. Anything more, a paid tool is worth it.
Which ITR form do you need?
- ITR-1 (Sahaj): Resident salaried individual, total income up to ₹50 lakh, one house property, income from other sources. No capital gains beyond limits.
- ITR-2: Salaried with capital gains, more than one house property, or foreign income. No business income.
- ITR-3: Business or professional income, including F&O treated as business.
- ITR-4 (Sugam): Presumptive income under 44AD/44ADA/44AE, income up to ₹50 lakh.
Not sure? Every platform above picks the form for you based on your answers. See our guide on which ITR form you need, and confirm the current-year eligibility limits on incometax.gov.in before filing, as thresholds can change.
Documents to keep ready
- PAN and Aadhaar (linked)
- Form 16 from your employer
- Form 26AS and AIS from the Income Tax portal
- Bank interest certificates
- Capital gains statements from your broker
- Proof for deductions (80C, 80D, home loan interest, donations)
- Bank account details for any refund
Having these ready before you start is the single biggest time-saver, whichever platform you use. For the full list sorted by filer type, see our documents required for ITR checklist.
Common filing mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the AIS. The Annual Information Statement shows income the department already knows about. If your return does not match it, expect a query.
- Picking the wrong regime. The new regime is now the default. It is not always cheaper. Compare old versus new regime before filing.
- Forgetting small interest income. Savings and FD interest is taxable and is in your AIS.
- Not e-verifying. An unverified return is treated as not filed. Verify within 30 days.
- Filing at the last minute. Portals slow down near 31 July. File early.
FAQ
Which is the best income tax filing platform in India?
For most people with a salary and some investments, ClearTax is the best all-rounder because it reads your documents and handles capital gains cleanly. Traders are better served by Quicko, and people who want an expert to file for them should use TaxBuddy. A simple salary-only return can be filed free on the government portal.
Is it safe to file taxes through a private platform?
Yes, the established platforms use bank-grade encryption and are widely used. Your return is still filed with the Income Tax Department. Check that the site uses secure login and never share your portal password over chat or email.
Can I file my ITR for free?
Yes. The government portal at incometax.gov.in is free, and some platforms offer a free tier for simple returns. Paid plans are worth it when your income includes capital gains or business income.
What is the last date to file ITR for AY 2026-27?
For most individuals not requiring an audit, the due date is 31 July 2026. Filing after the deadline can attract a late fee under Section 234F. Confirm the current date on incometax.gov.in, as extensions are sometimes announced.
Do I need to file if my income is below the taxable limit?
Often not required, but it is worth filing to claim a refund of any TDS deducted and to keep a clean financial record for loans and visas.
Which platform is best for capital gains?
ClearTax for stocks and mutual funds, Quicko if you also trade F&O or intraday. Both import broker statements and classify gains automatically.
Which is the best income tax filing platform in India?
For most people with a salary and some investments, ClearTax is the best all-rounder because it reads your documents and handles capital gains cleanly. Traders are better served by Quicko, and people who want an expert to file for them should use TaxBuddy. A simple salary-only return can be filed free on the government portal.
Is it safe to file taxes through a private platform?
Yes, the established platforms use bank-grade encryption and are widely used. Your return is still filed with the Income Tax Department. Check that the site uses secure login and never share your portal password over chat or email.
Can I file my ITR for free?
Yes. The government portal at incometax.gov.in is free, and some platforms offer a free tier for simple returns. Paid plans are worth it when your income includes capital gains or business income.
What is the last date to file ITR for AY 2026-27?
For most individuals not requiring an audit, the due date is 31 July 2026. Filing after the deadline can attract a late fee under Section 234F. Confirm the current date on incometax.gov.in, as extensions are sometimes announced.
Do I need to file if my income is below the taxable limit?
Often not required, but it is worth filing to claim a refund of any TDS deducted and to keep a clean financial record for loans and visas.
Which platform is best for capital gains?
ClearTax for stocks and mutual funds, Quicko if you also trade F&O or intraday. Both import broker statements and classify gains automatically.
