ITR filing for FY26: Deadlines, late filing penalties

Published 24 July 2026 · india

What is the due date for filing ITR for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)? ITR filing due dates for AY 2026-27 Category of Taxpayer / Return

What is the due date for filing ITR for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)? ITR filing due dates for AY 2026-27 Category of Taxpayer / Return Due Date for Filing Return Remarks Individuals and HUFs not liable to tax audit and filing ITR-1 or ITR-2 31 July 2026 Applicable where tax audit is not required. Business or professional taxpayers filing ITR-3 or ITR-4 and not liable to tax audit 31 August 2026 Applicable where business/professional income is reported but tax audit is not applicable. Partner of a partnership firm 31 August 2026 Applicable to a partner (firm not liable to audit) filing return in individual capacity, subject to audit-related provisions, wherever applicable. Taxpayers liable to tax audit 31 October 2026 Applicable where audit under the Income-tax Act is required. Taxpayers covered by transfer pricing provisions 30 November 2026 Applicable where transfer pricing report/compliance is required. Belated return 31 December 2026 Subject to applicable statutory conditions. Revised return 31 March 2027 Subject to applicable statutory conditions. Can the ITR filing due date be extended? What are the income tax penalties for filing ITR after the due date? ITR Due date Late fee Timely ITR On or before the 31st July* Nil Belated ITR December 31, 2026 Rs 1000- if income less than Rs 5 lakh Rs 5000- for income more than Rs 5 lakh Revised ITR March 31, 2027 No late fee, but filing the original or belated ITR first is mandatory. Interest on unpaid tax Loss of the right to carry forward certain losses Sections 234G and 271AA Although the Income-tax Act, 2025, came into force on April 1, 2026, taxpayers filing their Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) will continue to do so under the Income-tax Act, 1961. The Income Tax Department has clarified that the old law will govern returns for FY 2025-26.So, when do you need to file your ITR, can the deadline be extended, and what happens if you miss it?The due date depends on the taxpayer category and the ITR form being filed.“For most individual taxpayers such as salaried employees and pensioners not requiring tax audit, the due date is generally 31 July 2026.

However, the Income Tax Department’s ITR-4 help page currently mentions 31 August 2026 as the due date for AY 2026-27 for ITR-4 taxpayers,” says Sudhir Kaushik, Co-founder & CEO, Taxspanner (a Zaggle company).Taxpayers should verify the due date applicable to their ITR form on the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal before filing their return.Source: N. A. Shah Associates LLP“The Union Budget 2026 extended the time limit for filing revised return from 31 December to 31 March to accommodate revision of original tax returns and belated tax returns (which, as per the earlier timelines, coincided with 31 December). The proposed amendment in the Union Budget 2026 was applicable from 1 March 2026 for AY 2026-27 under the Income-tax Act 1961, and from 1 April 2026 for tax year 2026-27 under the Income-tax Act, 2025,” explains Amarpal Chadha, Tax Partner, EY India.As regards the possibility of extension, as on date, there is no official notification or circular extending the due date for filing income-tax returns for AY 2026-27.“Historically, the Central Board of Direct Taxes extends due dates only in exceptional circumstances, such as delay in release of return utilities, major portal-related difficulties, significant legislative changes, or widespread disruption affecting taxpayers,” says CA Hitesh Jain, Direct Tax Partner, N. A. Shah Associates LLP.Therefore, unless an official extension is notified, taxpayers should proceed on the basis that the statutory due dates will apply and should not wait for an extension.If a taxpayer misses the due date under Section 139(1), the return can still be filed as a belated return. For AY 2026-27, the Income Tax Department has clarified that a belated return can be filed up to 31 December 2026 or before completion of assessment, whichever is earlier.However, filing late can have several financial and tax consequences.“The most commonly discussed consequence of late filing is the fee under Section 234F of the Income-tax Act.