Can I Change My Tax Regime While Filing ITR – this is a common doubt many taxpayers like you have when it’s time to file your Income Tax Return. Yes, you can change your tax regime while filing your ITR if you know the process and follow the rules correctly.
You now have the option to choose between the old and new tax regimes. The government has made the new regime the default one, but if you think the old regime gives you more benefits because of your investments or deductions, then you can easily switch. This article explains how you can do that in the easiest way possible.
How Can I Change My Tax Regime While Filing ITR 2025
If you are a salaried person using ITR-1 or ITR-2, you can choose your tax regime every year while filing your return. When you reach the part of your ITR form that asks “Do you wish to exercise the option u/s 115BAC(6) of opting out of the new tax regime (default is ‘No’)?” – just choose ‘Yes’ if you want the old tax regime. That’s all. You will now pay taxes under the old regime and can claim deductions.
But if you earn income from business or profession and file ITR-3 or ITR-4, you have to file a special form called Form 10-IEA to switch to the old regime. This form has to be submitted before filing your return for the year.
Once you switch back to the old regime using Form 10-IEA, you can’t keep changing it every year like salaried people. You can do this only once in your lifetime unless you go back to the new regime later, which becomes permanent again.
How to File Form 10IA Online – Change Tax Regime
STEP 1: Visit the official Income Tax portal www.incometax.gov.in and log in with your PAN and password.
STEP 2: After login, go the the “e-File” then click on “Income Tax Forms” and then click on “Form 10IA”
STEP 4: Select the correct assessment year, then click on Continue button
STEP 5: Now you have to select “Profits and gains from business or profession” and Due date applicable for filing the return of income is and then click on continue
STEP 6: Now under this section you have to enter your father name and also click on declaration.
STEP 7: Now you have to verify Form 1A by Aadhaar Verification OTP then you can file ITR.
Steps to File Form 10-IEA to Change Tax Regime
STEP 1: Visit the official Income Tax portal www.incometax.gov.in and log in with your PAN and password.
STEP 2: On your dashboard, go to e-File > Income Tax Forms > File Income Tax Forms.
STEP 3: Search for “Form 10-IEA” using the search bar or scroll down to find it. Click on ‘File Now’.
STEP 4: Select the Assessment Year for which you are filing the return. For eg: If you are filing taxes for the income earned in FY 2024-25, then select AY 2025-26.
STEP 5: Read the list of required documents and click on ‘Let’s get started’.
STEP 6: If you have income from business or profession, click ‘Yes’, select the correct due date, and click ‘Continue’.
STEP 7: Choose ‘Yes’ when asked if you want to change from new regime to old regime.
Step 8: Form 10-IEA has 3 sections. Verify and Confirm each section. They are as follows:
i. Basic Information: In Basic Information section, your basic information will be pre-filled. If you are filing form for the first time then opting out option will be auto-selected and if system has valid form with opting out option, then re-entering option will be auto-selected. Click on ‘Save’ button.
ii. Additional Information: Fill the necessary details in Additional information section related to IFSC unit (if any) and click on ‘Save’.
If you are opting out of new Tax regime this Additional Information panel will be greyed off
iii. Declaration and Verification: Verification section contains self-declaration where you will be required to check the boxes and agree to the terms and conditions. Verify whether all the details are correct and save the information. Once done, click on ‘Preview’ to review Form 10-IEA.
Step 9: After reviewing all the information, ‘Proceed’ to e-verify’. You can e-verify either through:
- Aadhaar OTP
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
- Electronic Verification Code (EVC)
Step 10: After verification Click on ‘Yes’ to submit the Form.
Step 11: After successful e-Verification, a success message is displayed along with a Transaction ID and an Acknowledgement Receipt Number. Please keep a note of the Transaction ID and Acknowledgement number for future reference. You can also download the form and locate the acknowledgment number.
To download the filed form, go to ‘e-File’ → ‘Income Tax Forms’ → ‘View Filed Forms’.
Form 10-IE vs Form 10-IEA
| Form 10-IE | Form 10-IEA |
| Form 10-IE allows taxpayers to opt for the new tax regime. | While Form 10-IEA is filed to opt for the old tax regime. |
| No longer needed as the new tax regime is the default regime. | However, it is mandatory for the taxpayers filing through ITR-3 or ITR-4 to file for AY 2025-26 if they opt for old regime. |
Old Tax Regime vs New Tax Regime
- Old regime gives you many deductions under Section 80 like insurance, PF, tuition fees, home loan interest etc. It is better if you have many investments.
- New regime has lower tax rates but only limited deductions. It suits people who do not invest much or want a simple tax process.
Also Read – Direct Tax Vivad vs Vishwas Scheme
Income Tax Slab for Old Tax Regime
| Slabs | Individuals (Less than 60 years) | Resident Senior Citizens (>60 years but < 80 years) | Resident Super Senior Citizens (80 years and above) | |
| Upto Rs. 2,50,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | |
| Rs. 2,50,000 to Rs. 3,00,000 | 5% | Nil | Nil | |
| Rs. 3,00,000 to Rs. 5,00,000 | 5% | 5% | Nil | |
| Rs. 5,00,000 to Rs. 10,00,000 | 20% | 20% | 20% | |
| Above Rs. 10,00,000 | 30% | 30% | 30 | |
Rebate u/s 87A is applicable up to income of Rs 5 lakhs
Income Tax Slab for New Tax Regime
| Slabs | Rates of Tax | ||
| Upto Rs. 3,00,000 | Nil | ||
| From Rs. 3,00,000 to Rs. 7,00,000 | 5% | ||
| From Rs. 7,00,000 to Rs. 10,00,000 | 10% | ||
| From Rs. 10,00,000 to Rs. 12,00,000 | 15% | ||
| From Rs. 12,00,000 to Rs. 15,00,000 | 20% | ||
| Above Rs.15,00,000 | 30% |
Rebate u/s 87A is applicable up to income of Rs 7 lakhs
Contact and Help:
- Income Tax Helpline at 1800-103-0025 or
- visit the official portal at www.incometax.gov.in
FAQs
Can I change my tax regime while filing ITR?
Yes, while filing ITR you can quickly change your tax regime and opt for the one you think is advantageous to you. The salaried individuals can change the tax regime every year. However, the individuals with business or professional income can change tax regime from new to old once in a lifetime on filling Form 10-IEA. After choosing the old tax regime, they will get only one opportunity to re-enter the new tax regime. After switching to new tax regime, they cannot switch to old tax regime.
Which form should I file to opt for the old tax regime?
You should file Form 10-IEA, if you want to switch to the old tax regime from the default/ new tax regime for the AY 2024-25.
What happens if I choose the New tax regime?
New tax regime will provide you increased basic exemption limit of Rs 3 lakhs and limited deductions. Hence individuals who do not have more deductible investments can opt for new tax regime.
Can I switch the regimes after filing the IT return?
Yes the salaried individuals who have filed their ITR within the due date can file a revised return and switch to the other regime before the due date specified u/s 139(1). However, the persons with business or professional income cannot change to the old tax regime after filing their ITR, as Form-10IEA must be submitted before the ITR filing due date. Also, if these individuals have filed ITR in the old tax regime, they cannot change to the new tax regime after filing the ITR in the same year.
Can I Opt Old Tax Regime After Due Date?
No, If you wish to re-enter into new tax regime then you can file Form 10IEA for withdrawal option in the next assessment year. Again it is emphasised that that the choice of old tax regime can be made only before the due date of filing the return u/s 139(1) of IT Act.