Income Tax ITR Filing Due Date
When is the Deadline to File Income Tax Returns (ITR)?
The deadline to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) for income earned in FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is 31st July 2026, without late fees. However, if you miss this deadline, you can still file a belated return by 31 December 2026, though a penalty will apply.
ITR Filing Start Date for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)
E-filing of Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2025-26 (Assessment Year 2026-27) is scheduled to commence in 1st April 2026. Taxpayers will be allotted sufficient time to submit their returns based on their taxpayer category. Find out the details regarding the deadline for filing ITR for FY 2025-26 are outlined below:
ITR Filing Due Dates for Different Categories of Taxpayers
Significance of Timely Filing of ITR (Income Tax Return) by 31July 2026
Individuals or entities who file an ITR by or before 31 July 2026, the deadline, will have several advantages as follows:
- Claim all available deductions/exemptions as per the Income-tax Act.
- Carry Certain types of loss (Business Loss, Capital Loss, House Property Loss) to future tax years.
- Avoid penalty/late filing fees under section 234F.
- Minimize interest charge/payments under sections 234A (Interest on Unpaid Tax), 234B (Interest on Short Interest), and 234C (Interest on Delay of Refunds).
- Get quicker refund processing.
- Stay in compliance and limit audit and/or scrutiny risks.
- Failure to meet the due date of 31st July 2026 will likely result in the above-mentioned advantages not being available once the return is actually filed.
Belated Return - in Case of Missing the Original Due Date
If 31 July 2026 has passed and the ITR has not been filed, taxpayers can still file a belated ITR and take advantage of these benefits until 31 December 2026. However, there are consequences for doing so:
- Paying a penalty/late filing fee under section 234F (up to Rs.5,000, depending on their Income).
- Having interest on the amount of tax that remains unpaid due to filers under section 234A.
- Not being able to carry forward some types of loss.
- Losing some deductions/exemptions that may not be allowed to be claimed after they have been filed.
Revised Return
If the Taxpayer has already filed an original or belated ITR, and have subsequently found an error or omission, they can file a revised ITR (Revised Return) for all types of original ITRs by 31 December 2026.
FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)
Category of Taxpayer | Due Date (unless extended) |
Individual / HUF / AOP / BOI (books not subject to audit) | 31 July 2026 |
Businesses requiring audit | 31 October 2026 |
Businesses requiring transfer pricing report | 30 November 2026 |
Revised return | 31 December 2026 |
Belated (late) return | 31 December 2026 |
Updated return | 31 March 2031 |
What Happens When the Due Date of Filling the Return Is Missed?
- Interest: If you file your return after the deadline, you will incur interest at a rate of 1% per month or part month on the outstanding tax amount as per Section 234A.
- Late Fee: Late filing attracts a penalty under Section 234F, amounting to Rs. 5,000, which is reduced to Rs. 1,000 if your total income is below Rs. 5 lakh.
- Loss Adjustment: If you have incurred losses from various sources such as the stock market, mutual funds, properties, or business activities, you have the option to carry them forward and set them off against your income in the following year.
- This provision significantly reduces your tax liability in future years. However, if you miss the deadline for filing your ITR, you forfeit the opportunity to carry forward these losses.
- Belated Return: If you miss the ITR filing deadline, you can still submit a return after the due date, known as a belated return. However, you will be subject to late fees and interest charges, and you will lose the ability to carry forward any losses for future adjustments.
- The deadline for filing a belated return is 31 December of the assessment year unless extended by the government. Therefore, for the current year, you can submit the belated return by 31 December 2025 at the latest.
- Updated Return: In case you miss the 31 December deadline due to unavoidable circumstances, you can file an updated return (ITR U) subject to the specified conditions.
What are the Benefits of Filling ITR under Due Date?
The following are the benefits of filling ITR under due date:
- Your chances of obtaining a car loan, a home loan, and other loans increase if you file your income tax returns on time.
- ITRs can be used to show address and income, two things that are necessary when applying for a loan or visa.
- When applying for a visa, the majority of consulates and embassies need you to submit copies of your income tax records for the past two years.
- You will get your refunds as soon as possible if you file your ITR on time.
- Taxpayers must pay their taxes before they can file an ITR. According to Section 234A, interest must be paid at a rate of 1% per month starting on the date the taxes are due and continuing until the date of payment. If you submit your tax return on time, you can avoid having to pay extra interest. As a result, your tax burden will increase the longer you put off paying taxes and filing returns.
Can I File ITR After the Due Date?
Yes. Even if you miss the original due date for filing your Income Tax Return (ITR), the Income-tax Act provides multiple subsequent options depending on how late the filing is and whether the return has already been filed.
Comparison of Belated Return and Updated Return
Basis of Differentiation | Belated Return | Updated Return |
Who can use it | Taxpayers who missed the original due date for filing ITR | Taxpayers who missed both original and belated return due dates |
When it is applicable | After the original due date but before the belated return deadline | After the belated and revised return deadlines are over |
Due date | 31 December of the relevant Assessment Year | 31 March of 4 years from the end of the relevant Assessment Year |
Due date for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) | 31 December 2026 | 31 March 2031 |
Late fees & interest | Applicable | Applicable along with additional tax |
Claim of deductions & exemptions | Restricted in some cases | Not allowed if it reduces tax liability |
Carry forward of losses | Generally, not allowed (except house property loss) | Not allowed |
Can it be revised further | Yes, up to the revised return due date | No, cannot be revised |
Updated Return - When Revised Return Is No Longer Possible
Particulars | Updated Return |
When it can be filed | After the revised return deadline is over |
Time limit | Within 48 months (4 years) from the end of the relevant Assessment Year |
Due date for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) | 31 March 2031 |
Whether original ITR is mandatory | Not mandatory |
Claim of additional deductions or refunds | Not allowed |
Reduction of tax liability | Not permitted |
Revision allowed | No, updated return cannot be revised |
FAQs on ITR Filing Due Date
- What if the 31 December due date for filing is missed?
Taxpayers can file a revised return by 31 December of the relevant assessment year if they identify any errors. Additionally, an updated return can be submitted within two years after the assessment year.
- What are the consequences of missing the income tax return filing deadline?
Failing to file within the due date results in the filing of a belated return, attracting penalties of up to Rs. 5,000. For those with income below Rs. 5 lakh, the fee is reduced to Rs. 1,000.
- Who requires an income tax audit report?
Businesses with annual turnovers exceeding Rs. 1 crore and professionals with receipts over Rs. 50 lakh need a tax audit.
- What are the penalties for filing returns below the taxable limit?
No penalties or interest are levied for filing income tax returns after the deadline if income falls below the taxable limit.
- How to revise ITR after due date?
Revisions to the original return can be made using the revised return u/s 139 if the taxpayer wishes to do so because of some revisions (5). You have until the end of the assessment year, 31 December, to submit a belated return.
- Under which section ITR is filed after the due date?
A late return, or one that is submitted after the deadline, may be filed in accordance with Section 139(4).
- How do you make changes to your tax returns after the due date?
If the taxpayer needs to change the initial return because of some adjustments, they can do so by using a revised return in accordance with Section 139. (5). You may submit a late return on or before 31 December of the assessment year.
News about ITR Filing Last Date
Union Budget 2026: Updated Income Tax Return Deadlines
In the Union Budget 2026, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced revised timelines for filing Income Tax Returns. Under the updated provisions, the due date for submitting revised returns has been moved from 31 December to 31 March, subject to a nominal fee. The standard filing deadline for individual taxpayers using ITR-1 and ITR-2 remains 31 July. Additionally, the last date for revised returns for non-audit individuals has been extended to 31 August. These changes are intended to provide taxpayers with additional time to amend or update their submissions.
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