Online gaming income & ITR form

please guide to file ITR for the assessment year 24-25.
Client has professional & technical income onwhich TDS deducted u/ s 194J & little income from online gaming on which TDS deducted u/s 194 BA.
He filled ITR4 but declared defective. Please advice.
Replies (4)
Quick Summary
This discussion addresses how to correctly file your Income Tax Return (ITR) when you have income from online gaming alongside professional earnings. It clarifies that ITR-1 is unsuitable for gaming winnings due to special tax rates. The advice points towards using ITR-3 or ITR-2, detailing how to report gaming income under Schedule OS and manage TDS under Section 194BA, while noting that gaming losses cannot be set off or carried forward.

File ITR 3.                

You should file ITR 3
Pls consider these aspects while selecting itr 3.
1. source, quantum and others

If you have salary income and online gaming winnings, use ITR-2.

ITR-1 (Sahaj) is not eligible if you have any special rate income like gaming winnings, even if small. ITR-2 covers all income types except business/profession.

How to report in ITR-2:
- Schedule OS (Other Sources): Report online gaming winnings under the dedicated entry for Section 115BBJ income. The rate is a flat 30% with no deduction allowed for expenditure.
- TDS under Section 194BA: The platform deducts TDS on net winnings at 30% at the time of withdrawal. Cross-check the amount in Form 26AS or AIS.
- Do not net off losses: gaming losses within the year cannot be set off against gaming winnings from another platform. And gaming losses cannot be carried forward.

For FY 2025-26, winnings of Rs 100 or more from online gaming are subject to TDS under Section 194BA per withdrawal.

This [tax on online gaming and lottery guide for AY 2026-27](https://taxgarden.in/blog/tax-on-lottery-gambling-online-gaming-india-ay-2026-27) covers Section 115BBJ, 194BA, and ITR-2 reporting in detail.

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