ITR-2 and ITR-3 Excel Utilities Released: Everything You Need to Know for AY 2024–25

The Income Tax Department has officially released the Excel-based offline utilities for ITR-2 and ITR-3 for Assessment Year (AY) 2024–25. These forms cater to taxpayers with more complex income scenarios and provide an alternative to online filing.

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✅ Who Should File ITR-2?

ITR-2 is applicable for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) not having income from business or profession. It includes:

• Income from salary/pension
• Income from more than one house property
• Capital gains
• Foreign assets or income
• Agricultural income over ₹5,000
• Income from other sources (including lottery, interest, etc.)

✅ Who Should File ITR-3?

ITR-3 is meant for individuals and HUFs having income from business or profession, and includes:

• Income from proprietary business or professional services
• Income from salary, capital gains, or house property
• Foreign assets and foreign income
• Partnership income

🆕 What’s New in AY 2024–25?

Here are some key updates:

• Pre-filled data integration from AIS (Annual Information Statement)
• Enhanced validation for capital gains and foreign assets
• Improved reporting of digital assets (like crypto and NFTs)
• Expanded disclosure requirements under Section 115BAC
• Mandatory Schedule for Agricultural Income if above ₹5,000

💻 How to Use the Excel Utility

1. Visit the official e-Filing portal
2. Go to “Downloads” > “Offline Utilities” > “Income Tax Return Preparation Utilities”
3. Download the Excel utility for ITR-2 or ITR-3
4. Fill in your details, validate, and generate JSON
5. Upload the JSON file on the portal to file your return

📅 Key Deadlines

• July 31, 2025 – Due date for salaried individuals and non-audit cases
• October 31, 2025 – For audit-assessable businesses and professionals

💡 Why It Matters

The release of these utilities gives taxpayers more flexibility in how they file, particularly those with diverse income sources or complex tax situations. With several new compliance requirements in place, using the Excel utility allows for more control over detailed data entry and calculation validation.

Stay informed and file on time to avoid penalties. If unsure, consult a tax professional.