What a computation of income is
A computation of income is a one- or two-page statement that shows how your taxable income and tax were worked out for a year: what you earned under each head, what you deducted, what tax was due, what was already paid, and the refund or balance. It is not a separate government form. It is a summary of your income tax return in a format people can read.
It is commonly asked for in loan applications, visa applications, tenders, rental agreements and by CAs reviewing a client's previous year. The acknowledgement (ITR-V) proves you filed; the computation shows what you filed.
The main parts, line by line
1. Assessee details
Name, PAN, status (individual, HUF, firm), residential status, date of birth, assessment year and the ITR form used. The assessment year is the year after the income was earned: income of FY 2025-26 is assessed in AY 2026-27.
2. Income under each head
| Head | Typically includes |
|---|---|
| Salaries | Gross salary, less exempt allowances, the standard deduction and (old regime) professional tax |
| Income from house property | Rent received less municipal taxes, 30% standard deduction and home-loan interest; or a loss on a self-occupied house |
| Profits and gains of business or profession | Net profit from books, or presumptive income under 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE |
| Capital gains | Short-term and long-term gains on shares, mutual funds and property, each shown at its own rate |
| Income from other sources | Savings and FD interest, dividends, family pension, gifts above the limit |
3. Gross total income
The sum of all heads after setting off current-year and brought-forward losses where the law allows.
4. Deductions under Chapter VI-A
80C, 80D, 80G, 80TTA/80TTB and so on, under the old regime. Under the new regime this section is short: usually only 80CCD(2) and a few others.
5. Total income and tax
Gross total income minus deductions, rounded to the nearest ₹10. Tax is then calculated on normal income at slab rates and on special income (like capital gains) at its own rates, less the 87A rebate, plus surcharge if any and 4% cess.
6. Taxes paid and the result
TDS (from Form 16 and 16A), TCS, advance tax and self-assessment tax are subtracted. Interest under sections 234A, 234B and 234C is added if applicable. What is left is either a refund due or tax payable, which should be nil for a return that has been filed with all tax paid.
How to get your ITR JSON
The JSON is the data file of your return, the same file that was uploaded to the Income Tax Department.
- Log in to the e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) with your PAN.
- Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns.
- Find the assessment year you need and use the download option for the filed return data (JSON).
- If you or your CA filed using the offline utility or tax software, the JSON saved before upload is the same data.
Use the JSON of the return that was actually filed (or the latest revised return). A draft JSON saved before final changes will not match the acknowledgement.
Making the computation from the JSON
Our ITR Computation tool reads the JSON of ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4 or ITR-5, detects the form and assessment year, and lays out the heads of income, deductions, tax, taxes paid and refund in a standard computation format. You can preview it and save it as a PDF.
Before sharing it, check three numbers against the ITR acknowledgement: total income, tax payable and refund or balance. If they agree, the computation reflects your filed return.
Things that often confuse readers
- Gross total income vs total income. Gross total income is before Chapter VI-A deductions; total income is after. Lenders usually look at total income.
- Exempt income. Agricultural income, PPF interest and other exempt receipts are shown separately and do not form part of total income, though agricultural income can affect the rate on other income.
- Refund shown vs refund received. The computation shows the refund claimed in the return. The amount actually paid can differ after the department processes the return; the intimation under section 143(1) is the final word.
- Rounding. Total income is rounded to the nearest ₹10, and tax to the nearest ₹10, so small differences from a manual total are normal.
Frequently asked questions
Is a computation of income an official document?
It is a statement prepared from your return, not a document issued by the Income Tax Department. Its authority comes from matching the filed return, which is why it should be read alongside the ITR-V acknowledgement.
Which ITR forms can be converted?
Our tool supports ITR-1 to ITR-5 JSON files. ITR-6 and ITR-7 (companies and trusts) are not supported.
Does the computation show the refund I will get?
It shows the refund claimed in your return. After processing, the department's intimation under section 143(1) confirms the final refund or demand.
Upload the JSON of your filed ITR and download a computation of income as a PDF. Open ITR Computation →
Sources and further reading
This guide explains the law and portal procedures as they stood on the date shown above. Rates, forms and due dates change; check the official sources before filing. It is general information, not professional advice for your particular case.