Couldn’t file your taxes? Someone else can do it for you. Or if you want to file taxes for a dear one, it’s possible. Want to know how? Read on.
The time to file your taxes is nigh. Make sure you keep all information regarding your tax-saver Fixed Deposit, ELSS, Home Loan repayments and other investments that you might want to claim as a tax deduction, handy. You have to file your return by 31st July this year.
But what if you are unable to do so for some reason? Well, you could get someone to do it for you! There are many reasons why you might not be able to file your taxes. These include you being away from the country for an extended period or if you are a non-resident having income in India.
At the other end of the spectrum, there might be people who you need to file taxes for. The reasons could be as bizarre as lunacy or as simple as death. However, not everyone can represent someone else. The assessee (the person who needs to pay taxes/file returns) can appoint an authorised person to file their taxes on their behalf. This could be a guardian, trustee or any other competent person.
This representative has to log into the income tax e-filing website and register as a ‘representative assessee’. Then, they will have to upload documents to prove their identity. The Income Tax department will approve this request from the representative who can then file the return.
Additional Reading: E-Tax Filing: The Fast Lane To Returns
Want someone to file returns on your behalf? Here’s how to add a representative.
Steps to add a representative
- Log into the Income Tax e-filing website
- Go to ‘My Account’ and click on ‘Add/register as representative’
- Click on ‘New request’ and select ‘Add another person to represent on your behalf’ under the ‘Add/register as representative’ tab
- Select the reason why you are adding a representative
- Enter details of the representative such as their PAN, full name and the period for which they will represent you
- Click on ‘Submit’
- You will receive a PIN in an email and SMS. Enter the PIN and click on ‘Validate’
- The person who will represent you will get an alert about this as an email and SMS. They can log in and check ‘For your action’ for the details.
If you want to act as a representative for someone, you need to understand who can be a representative. Here’s what you need to know.
Who can be a representative?
For someone who is mentally challenged, their guardian or manager can be the representative. They will need documents such as a copy of their PAN card, copy of the assessee’s PAN card and a medical certificate stating that the assessee is mentally challenged.
Additional Reading: Did Not Submit Tax Saving Proof On Time. Worry Not
In case you are a legal heir who wants to file taxes for a deceased person, you will need a copy of your PAN, the deceased person’s PAN, a copy of the death certificate and the legal heir certificate which was issued by a local authority. You could also use a registered will instead of a legal heir certificate. Once you file a return for the deceased person, their tax filing account will be deactivated.
Want to file taxes for a minor? You will need to be their guardian or manager. (Note that the income of the minor who has parents will be clubbed with the income of the parents.) You will need the minor’s PAN copy, your PAN copy, and proof of guardianship. You could also use a court order or a passport of the minor.
Qualified to be a representative? Then you can register as a representative. Here’s how you can do that.
Steps to register as a representative
- Log into the Income Tax e-filing website
- Go to ‘My Account’ and click on ‘Add/register as representative’
- Click on ‘New request’ and select ‘Register yourself on behalf of another person’ under the ‘Add/register as representative’ tab
- Attach documents that are needed
- Click on ‘Submit’
- The Income Tax department will verify your request along with the documents. They might approve or reject it
- Once your documents have been verified you will receive an email and SMS on this.
Once you are done filing returns for someone else, the person for whom you filed the taxes can view it. However, not all can view their returns. People who are mentally challenged and a minor will not have their own account for viewing returns.
Yet to file your own returns and don’t know how to do it? Check this post – How To File Tax Returns Online. And if you are looking for tax-saving Fixed Deposits and Mutual Funds, there are plenty of them right here.