Over 5.9 crore I-T returns filed by July 31
More than 5.9 crore income tax returns (ITRs) were filed by taxpayers for the assessment year (AY) 2026-27 by July 31, marking the close of
More than 5.9 crore income tax returns (ITRs) were filed by taxpayers for the assessment year (AY) 2026-27 by July 31, marking the close of the due date for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) not requiring an audit of their accounts.The Income Tax Department shared the milestone on August 1 through a post on social media, stating that filings had crossed the 5.9-crore mark by the end of the deadline day.The July 31 due date applied to taxpayers filing ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-2 whose accounts are not subject to mandatory audit. Returns filed after the deadline may attract interest and other applicable consequences under the provisions of the Income-tax Act unless relief is announced subsequently.Also read | India's gross GST collections rise 15.4% to Rs 2.11 lakh crore in JulyThe latest filing figure comes against the backdrop of last year's extended compliance window.
For AY 2025-26, the Centre had pushed back the filing deadline, allowing taxpayers additional time to submit their returns. As a result, more than 7.3 crore returns were filed by September 16, 2025, the revised closing date for that assessment year.Tax professionals had expected filing activity to remain strong in the final days of the compliance window, with taxpayers typically accounting for a substantial share of annual filings during the last week before the deadline. The Income Tax Department had also been issuing regular advisories encouraging taxpayers to avoid last-minute submissions and complete verification of their returns promptly.ITR-1, popularly known as Sahaj, continues to be the most widely used return form among individual taxpayers.
It is meant for resident individuals with annual income of up to Rs 50 lakh derived from salary, one house property and other specified sources, while also permitting agricultural income of up to Rs 5,000 during the financial year.Also read | RBI's FCNR, forex schemes draw $40.81 billion in inflows so farITR-2 is applicable to individuals and HUFs that do not earn income from business or profession but have income from sources such as capital gains or multiple properties. The form is commonly used by taxpayers with relatively more complex financial profiles than those covered under Sahaj.The government has been focusing on simplifying the return filing process in recent years through wider pre-filled data, greater integration with financial information systems and improvements to the e-filing portal.
Recent reforms have also sought to reduce compliance burdens by streamlining return forms and expanding digital verification options, steps aimed at improving voluntary tax compliance.The final tally for AY 2026-27 is expected to rise further as eligible taxpayers continue to file belated or revised returns within the timelines prescribed under the Income-tax Act, although such filings may be subject to applicable interest or late-filing provisions.
The BriefWire