Every partnership firm in India registered or unregistered must file an annual Income Tax Return using Form ITR-5. Filing on time protects your firm from penalties, preserves loss carry-forwards, and builds your financial credibility. Let SSATAX handle it from start to finish.
onwards + Govt. fees if applicable
Under the Income Tax Act, 1961, a partnership firm is treated as a separate taxable entity independent of its partners. Whether registered, unregistered, profit-making, loss-making, or even dormant, every partnership firm must file an annual income tax return.
Every partnership firm registered or unregistered including LLPs filing under firm category, must file ITR annually. Even a dormant or nil-income firm must file to remain compliant and preserve any loss carry-forwards.
Most partnership firms file using Form ITR-5. Small firms with income up to ₹50 lakh under presumptive taxation (Section 44AD/44ADA) may use ITR-4 (Sugam). Using the wrong form can invalidate your return.
The partnership firm pays tax at a flat rate of 30% on its taxable income. Partners are then taxed on their individual share of profits (after deductions). Filing correctly prevents double taxation and avoids disputes with the Income Tax Department.
Partnership firms are taxed at a flat rate unlike individuals who have slab-based taxation. There is no basic exemption limit for firms. Advance tax is mandatory if tax liability exceeds ₹10,000 in a year.
Missing the due date costs money and can result in loss of important tax benefits. Know your exact deadline based on whether your firm requires a tax audit under Section 44AB.
If your firm's tax liability for the year exceeds ₹10,000, you are required to pay advance tax in instalments throughout the year. Failure to pay advance tax on time attracts interest under Sections 234B and 234C.
Tax Deductions
Partnership firms can significantly reduce their taxable income through legitimate deductions. An expert like SSATAX ensures every permitted deduction is correctly claimed to minimise your firm's tax burden.
Salary, bonus and commission paid to working partners is deductible, provided it is authorised by the partnership deed. Finance Act 2024 revised the permissible limits upward.
₹3L + 90% / 60% Book ProfitInterest paid on partner capital is deductible when specifically authorised in the partnership deed and properly recorded in books.
Maximum 12% p.a.Rent, electricity, employee salaries, professional fees, raw materials, marketing expenses, depreciation and bank charges are generally deductible.
Section 37 DeductionDepreciation can be claimed on machinery, computers, vehicles, furniture and other business assets at prescribed rates under the Income Tax Act.
Section 32Eligible business losses may be carried forward and set off against future profits, provided the return is filed within the prescribed due date.
Up to 8 YearsContributions to approved research institutions and eligible in-house R&D expenditure may qualify for deduction under Section 35.
Section 35 BenefitITR Form Comparison
One of the most common and costly mistakes is filing the wrong ITR form. Here is a clear breakdown of which form applies to each business entity type in India for FY 2025–26.
| Feature | Partnership Firm | LLP | Pvt Ltd Company | Proprietorship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITR Form | ITR-5 | ITR-5 | ITR-6 | ITR-3 / ITR-4 |
| Tax Rate | Flat 30% | Flat 30% | 22% / 25% | Slab rates (0–30%) |
| Basic Exemption | None | None | None | ₹3,00,000 |
| Partner Remuneration Deduction | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | N/A (salary instead) | N/A |
| Audit Threshold (Business) | ₹1 crore | ₹40 lakh (contribution) | Always mandatory | ₹1 crore |
| Filing Due Date | 31 Jul / 31 Oct 2026 | 31 Jul / 31 Oct 2026 | 31 Oct 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 |
| ROC Annual Filing | Not required | ✔ Required | ✔ Required | Not required |
| Overall Compliance Burden | Low–Medium | Medium | High | Low |
Tax Audit Requirements
A tax audit under Section 44AB is an examination of a firm's books of accounts by a Chartered Accountant. It becomes mandatory in specific situations and must be completed before filing the firm's Income Tax Return.
A tax audit becomes compulsory when a partnership firm's business turnover exceeds ₹1 crore during the financial year. The threshold may increase to ₹10 crore where 95% or more transactions are digital.
Professional firms such as CA firms, consultants, architects, lawyers and doctors must undergo tax audit when gross receipts exceed ₹50 lakh in a financial year.
If a firm opts for presumptive taxation but declares profit lower than the prescribed 8% / 6% limits, tax audit requirements may apply under Section 44AB.
Document Checklist
Our team will guide you through each document via WhatsApp. You simply share scanned copies we handle verification, preparation, and submission entirely.
| # | Document | Purpose | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partnership Deed (Latest Registered) | Verifying partner remuneration & interest clauses | ✔ Yes |
| 2 | PAN Card of Partnership Firm | Identity & ITR login credentials | ✔ Yes |
| 3 | Trading & Profit and Loss Account (FY 2025-26) | Income & expense computation | ✔ Yes |
| 4 | Balance Sheet as on 31 March 2026 | Assets, liabilities & partner capital accounts | ✔ Yes |
| 5 | GST Returns (GSTR-1, 3B) for FY 2025-26 | Reconciliation of turnover with GST filings | ✔ Yes |
| 6 | Bank Statements of All Firm Accounts | Transaction verification & cash flow | ✔ Yes |
| 7 | TDS Certificates (Form 16A / Form 26AS) | TDS credit claim against advance tax & withholding | ✔ Yes |
| 8 | Previous Year's ITR Acknowledgement | Carry-forward losses & depreciation schedules | Recommended |
| 9 | Fixed Asset Register / Depreciation Schedule | Depreciation calculation under IT Act | If applicable |
| 10 | Partners' PAN Cards & Capital Account Statements | Partner remuneration & interest deduction claim | ✔ Yes |
| 11 | Advance Tax Payment Challans | Adjustment of advance tax paid against liability | If paid |
| 12 | TDS Returns Filed (Form 24Q / 26Q / 27Q) | Verification of TDS compliance including Sec 194T | If applicable |
Filing Process
Our process is designed to be completely hassle-free for you. Share your documents once we handle everything from computation to verification.
Scope, eligibility & audit requirement check
Secure document sharing via WhatsApp or email
P&L, balance sheet & tax computation verified
Form 3CA-3CD prepared & uploaded by our CA
All schedules, deductions & disclosures filled
Draft sent to firm for confirmation before filing
ITR filed on incometax.gov.in using firm's DSC
ITR-V shared on WhatsApp. Filing complete.
Hundreds of CA firms and online portals offer ITR filing. Here is precisely what separates SSATAX not in marketing language, but in how we operate for your business every single day.
Your ITR is prepared by a qualified Chartered Accountant who understands partnership firm taxation not an outsourced operator filling fields without understanding context.
We actively audit your partner remuneration structures, interest calculations, and expense claims to ensure every rupee of legal deduction is captured.
Share documents on WhatsApp. Get draft return on WhatsApp. Receive ITR-V on WhatsApp. Complete service from your phone.
Our system tracks your advance tax dates, GST return deadlines, TDS due dates, and ITR filing date. You receive reminders well in advance.
We quote a flat fee upfront. No hourly billing surprises. No extra charges for complexity. What we quote is what you pay.
If the Income Tax Department raises a query or notice on a return we filed, we handle the response at no extra charge for the first year.
We also handle GST returns, TDS returns, ROC filings for LLP conversions, and payroll all under one roof.
Have a tax planning question six months after filing? Call us no charge. Once a SSATAX client, always supported.
FAQ
Answers to the most common questions from partnership firm owners about ITR-5 filing, tax rates, deadlines, and compliance for FY 2025–26 (AY 2026–27).