ITR Filing Last Date FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27): July 31 for Individuals, August 31 for Business, October 31 for Audit Cases
All ITR filing deadlines for FY 2025-26 in one place. The due date depends on your income type and return form. Filing after the deadline triggers a late fee, interest on unpaid tax, and blocks you from carrying forward capital gains losses.
·15 min read·Fermor Analysis
The ITR filing last date for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is July 31, 2026 for individuals filing ITR-1 or ITR-2, covering salary, capital gains, and house property income. Business and professional income filers using ITR-3 or ITR-4 without an audit requirement have until August 31, 2026. Audit cases and companies must file by October 31, 2026. Missing the original deadline does not close the window entirely: a belated return is available until December 31, 2026, a revised return until March 31, 2027, and an updated return (ITR-U) remains open until March 31, 2031.
ITR Filing Due Dates for AY 2026-27: All Categories
The due date for filing an income tax return depends on which ITR form you use and whether your accounts require a tax audit. The table below covers all categories including companies, audit cases, and returns filed after the original deadline.
ITR Filing Due Dates for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)
Taxpayer / Return TypeDue DateSection
ITR-1 and ITR-2 filers (salary, pension, capital gains, house property)July 31, 2026Sec. 139(1)
ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers with business/professional income not requiring tax auditAugust 31, 2026Sec. 139(1)
Businesses and professionals requiring audit under Section 44ABOctober 31, 2026Sec. 139(1)
Working partners of firms whose accounts are auditedOctober 31, 2026Sec. 139(1)
Domestic and foreign companies (no international transactions)October 31, 2026Sec. 139(1)
Businesses with international transactions requiring transfer pricing report (Section 92E)November 30, 2026Sec. 139(1)
Belated return (original due date missed)December 31, 2026Sec. 139(4)
Revised return (correcting errors in filed return)March 31, 2027Sec. 139(5)
July 31, 2026: Deadline for Salaried Individuals and Investors
The July 31 deadline applies to the largest group of taxpayers in India: individuals, HUFs, BOIs, and AOPs filing ITR-1 or ITR-2. This covers salaried employees, pensioners, investors with capital gains from stocks and mutual funds, and anyone with house property income, as long as no business or professional income requiring audit applies.
July 31 is also the deadline for freelancers and consultants whose professional receipts are below Rs 75 lakh and who choose to declare 50% of receipts as income under Section 44ADA (presumptive taxation). These individuals file ITR-4, but their deadline is August 31, not July 31, if their income falls under the business category. If you are unsure which deadline applies, check whether you are filing ITR-1/ITR-2 or ITR-3/ITR-4.
July 31 is a hard deadline. There is no grace period, no late filing window on August 1: the moment July 31 passes, your return is officially belated and the Section 234F fee applies when you file. File before July 31 to avoid it entirely.
Use Fermor's Income Tax Calculator to compare old and new regime tax liability before filing. The calculation takes under 2 minutes and shows exactly how much tax you owe or how large your refund will be.
August 31, 2026: Non-Audit Business Income (ITR-3 and ITR-4)
August 31, 2026 is the due date for individuals and HUFs with business or professional income that does not require a tax audit. This group includes:
Freelancers and consultants filing under presumptive taxation (Section 44ADA) with professional receipts below Rs 75 lakh
Small business owners filing under presumptive taxation (Section 44AD) with business turnover below Rs 3 crore
F&O and intraday equity traders who declare income without requiring an audit
Professionals (doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers) earning below the audit threshold of Rs 50 lakh in receipts
The August 31 deadline is specific to AY 2026-27. The standard deadline for non-audit business cases in many prior years was July 31, but the IT Department moved it to August 31 for this assessment year.
Critical for self-employed individuals: If you want to opt for the old tax regime for FY 2025-26, you must file Form 10-IE by August 31, 2026 (or October 31 for audit cases). Missing this window locks you into the new tax regime for FY 2025-26 with no option to switch back. Salaried individuals (ITR-1/ITR-2 filers) can switch regimes while filing their return, even if it is a belated return, so this restriction applies only to self-employed and business filers.
October 31, 2026: Audit Cases, Companies, and Partners of Audited Firms
A tax audit under Section 44AB is mandatory when:
Business turnover exceeds Rs 1 crore (or Rs 10 crore if at least 95% of receipts and payments are through banking channels)
Professional receipts exceed Rs 50 lakh
You opted for presumptive taxation (44AD or 44ADA) in any of the preceding 5 years but now want to report income below the presumptive threshold
A declaration under Section 44AE (goods carriage) is made and income declared is below the prescribed limit
If your accounts require audit, both the audit report (Form 3CA or 3CB with the detailed Form 3CD) and the income tax return must be filed by October 31. Filing the return before the audit report is uploaded by your CA is treated as a defective return. Working partners of firms that require a tax audit are also bound by the October 31 deadline, even if the partner individually has no audit requirement.
Companies must also file by October 31. The only exception is companies with international transactions: those must include a transfer pricing audit report under Section 92E, which pushes their deadline to November 30, 2026.
If you have gains from equity shares or mutual funds that you need to include in your return, calculate your exact STCG and LTCG using the Capital Gains Tax Calculator before filing.
Belated Return, Revised Return, and Updated Return (ITR-U): What Comes After the Deadline
Missing the original deadline does not permanently close the filing window. Three options exist depending on when you are filing and what you need to correct:
1
Belated Return (Section 139(4))
For taxpayers who missed the original due date. Must be filed by December 31, 2026 for AY 2026-27. Late fee under Section 234F applies (Rs 5,000 or Rs 1,000). Capital gains losses and most business losses cannot be carried forward. You can still revise a belated return using a revised return before March 31, 2027.
2
Revised Return (Section 139(5))
For correcting errors or omissions in a return already filed (original or belated). Must be filed by March 31, 2027 for AY 2026-27. No additional fee for revising; however, if the original was filed late, the Section 234F fee already applied. A revised return supersedes the original completely.
3
Updated Return or ITR-U (Section 139(8A))
Available for 4 years from the end of the relevant AY, which means until March 31, 2031 for AY 2026-27. Can be filed even if no original return was filed or the belated return was missed. Additional tax applies: 25% of total tax and interest due if filed within 12 months of end of AY, and 50% if filed in months 13 to 48. ITR-U cannot be used to claim additional refunds, deductions, or benefits. It is only for declaring additional income that was missed or understated.
Will the ITR Filing Deadline Be Extended in 2026?
The Income Tax Department has not announced any extension for AY 2026-27. Extensions in recent years have only happened twice: in AY 2020-21 due to COVID-19 (extended to January 10, 2021) and in AY 2021-22 due to technical issues with the newly launched ITR portal (extended to September 30, 2021). There have been no extensions since. The table below shows the full record:
History of ITR Filing Deadline Extensions (ITR-1 and ITR-2)
Assessment YearOriginal DateExtended ToReason
AY 2020-21Jul 31, 2020Jan 10, 2021COVID-19 pandemic
AY 2021-22Jul 31, 2021Sep 30, 2021New ITR portal technical issues
AY 2022-23Jul 31, 2022Not extendedNo extension
AY 2023-24Jul 31, 2023Not extendedNo extension
AY 2024-25Jul 31, 2024Not extendedNo extension
AY 2025-26Jul 31, 2025Not extendedNo extension
AY 2026-27Jul 31, 2026TBDCurrent year
The pattern since AY 2022-23 is clear: no extensions. Do not delay filing in anticipation of one. If an extension is announced, it will appear on the income tax portal and in an official CBDT circular.
Consequences of Missing the ITR Filing Deadline
Missing the deadline is not just about the fee. There are five distinct consequences, and the fee is the smallest of them:
Late filing fee (income Rs 5 lakh or below)Rs 1,000 flat feeSec. 234F
Late filing fee (income below basic exemption)NilSec. 234F
Interest on unpaid self-assessment tax1% per month from due date to payment dateSec. 234A
Interest on advance tax shortfall1% per month on shortfall amountSec. 234B/234C
Late audit report0.5% of turnover; maximum Rs 1.5 lakhSec. 271B
Beyond the fees and interest, missing the deadline also causes:
Loss of carry-forward for capital gains losses: if you sold equity shares or mutual funds at a loss in FY 2025-26, that loss can no longer be offset against future gains if you file after the due date
Loss of carry-forward for business and speculation losses: trading losses, business losses, and speculative losses cannot be carried forward in a belated return
Old regime option lapse: self-employed individuals and business owners (ITR-3/ITR-4 filers) cannot choose the old tax regime after the original due date if they miss filing Form 10-IE in time
Loan application friction: banks processing home loan, personal loan, or car loan applications typically ask for ITR copies for 2-3 preceding years; a late or missing ITR for AY 2026-27 will create delays in 2027 and 2028 loan processing
Visa application complications: many countries ask for ITR acknowledgments as proof of income when processing visa applications; delayed filing affects international travel plans
Delayed refunds: refunds from belated returns take longer to process than refunds from on-time returns; if you are owed a large TDS refund, filing early maximizes the time the department has to process it
Income Tax Act 2025: How Section Numbers Changed
The Income Tax Act 2025, which replaced the Income Tax Act 1961, came into effect from April 1, 2026. However, AY 2026-27 returns are filed under the Income Tax Act 1961, since the income covered (FY 2025-26) was earned before April 1, 2026. The new Act applies starting from AY 2027-28 onward. The section numbers changed significantly; the table below maps the key provisions for easy reference:
Section References: IT Act 1961 vs IT Act 2025
ProvisionIT Act 1961IT Act 2025
Filing original returnSection 139(1)Section 263(1)
Using the wrong ITR form is a common mistake that results in a defective return notice from the Income Tax Department, requiring you to refile. Use the guide below to identify your correct form. The most frequent errors: using ITR-1 when you have capital gains (use ITR-2), and using ITR-4 when your turnover or receipts exceed the presumptive threshold (use ITR-3).
ITR Form Selection Guide for AY 2026-27
FormWho Uses ItEligibility Criteria
ITR-1 (Sahaj)Resident individualsSalary, pension, one house property, other income (total up to Rs 50L). No capital gains, no business income, no foreign assets, agriculture up to Rs 5K.
ITR-2Individuals and HUFCapital gains (stocks, mutual funds, property), multiple house properties, foreign income or assets, salary above Rs 50L. No business or profession income.
ITR-3Individuals and HUFBusiness or professional income not covered by presumptive taxation. Required for F&O trading, intraday equity trading, consultancy not under 44ADA.
ITR-4 (Sugam)Individuals, HUF, Firms (not LLP)Presumptive income under 44AD (business turnover up to Rs 3 crore) or 44ADA (professional receipts up to Rs 75 lakh). Total income up to Rs 50L.
ITR-5Firms, LLPs, AOPs, BOIsAll income types. Not for companies or trusts claiming Section 11 exemption.
ITR-6CompaniesAll companies other than those claiming Section 11 exemption (charitable or religious trusts).
ITR-7Trusts, political parties, institutionsEntities claiming exemption under Sections 139(4A) to 139(4F), including charitable trusts, political parties, universities.
If you traded in F&O (futures and options) or intraday equity at any point during FY 2025-26, you must file ITR-3, regardless of whether you made a profit or a loss. This is because F&O income is treated as non-speculative business income, not capital gains.
Documents to Gather Before Filing ITR
Gathering these 13 documents before opening the portal avoids mid-session interruptions and reduces filing errors:
Form 16 from your employer (Part A is the TDS summary generated from the income tax portal; Part B is the detailed salary breakup showing allowances, perquisites, and deductions claimed via Form 12BB)
Form 16A from banks and NBFCs for TDS deducted on interest income from FDs, savings accounts, and non-salary payments
Annual Information Statement (AIS) from incometax.gov.in under e-File (verify every entry and submit feedback for any incorrect entries before filing)
Form 26AS or Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS) from the income tax portal to cross-check all TDS credits against what deductors have filed
Bank statements and interest certificates for all savings accounts, FDs, and recurring deposits for FY 2025-26 (to report interest income)
Capital gains statement from your broker for equity shares and mutual fund redemptions during FY 2025-26 (NSE/BSE trades and any F&O positions)
CAMS or KFintech consolidated account statement for mutual fund purchases and redemptions across all fund houses
Home loan interest certificate and principal repayment statement from your bank (for Section 24 interest deduction up to Rs 2 lakh and Section 80C principal deduction)
Rent receipts and landlord PAN if you claim HRA exemption; rental income and expense details if you have house property income
80C investment proofs: ELSS statements, PPF passbook, life insurance premium receipts, ULIP premium receipts, tuition fee receipts, and housing loan principal
80D health insurance premium receipts for self, spouse, children, and parents; preventive health checkup receipts up to Rs 5,000
NPS contribution statement from NSDL or your employer for Section 80CCD(1B) deduction of up to Rs 50,000 over the Section 80C limit
Previous year's ITR and computation sheet to verify carry-forward loss claims and confirm which tax regime you were in for FY 2024-25
How to File ITR Online for AY 2026-27: Step-by-Step
Filing takes 20 to 40 minutes if all documents are ready in advance. The portal at incometax.gov.in pre-fills much of your data from AIS, but you must verify every field before submission:
1
Log in using your PAN
Visit incometax.gov.in and log in using PAN as your user ID and your registered password. If this is your first time, click Register, enter your PAN, and complete the OTP-based registration using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
2
Navigate to ITR filing
Go to e-File from the top menu, then Income Tax Returns, then File Income Tax Return.
3
Select assessment year and return type
Choose Assessment Year 2026-27. Select Online mode (unless you are filing using an offline utility). For a fresh filing, select Original Return. If you are correcting a return already filed, select Revised Return.
4
Choose the correct ITR form
Select your ITR form based on your income type. The portal may auto-suggest a form based on AIS data but verify it is correct using the form guide above. An incorrect form results in a defective return notice.
5
Review pre-filled data and add missing income
The portal pre-fills salary, TDS credits, and certain investment details from AIS. Review every section carefully. Add any income not pre-filled: rental income, freelance income, capital gains on unlisted assets, foreign income. Select old or new tax regime and complete all deduction schedules.
6
Pay balance tax and generate challan
If the portal shows tax payable after deducting TDS and advance tax, click Pay Now to generate Challan 280 for Self-Assessment Tax under AY 2026-27. Pay using net banking or UPI and enter the BSR code, date, and serial number in the ITR before submitting.
7
Submit and verify
Submit the return. Immediately verify it using Aadhaar OTP (fastest), net banking EVC, or your bank account or demat account. An unverified return is not a valid ITR. If you choose offline verification, download and print the ITR-V, sign it in blue ink, and post it to CPC Bengaluru by ordinary post within 30 days of filing.
AIS and Form 26AS: What to Cross-Check Before Filing
The Annual Information Statement (AIS) on the income tax portal is the single most important document to review before filing. It aggregates: salary TDS from your employer, interest income from all banks and NBFCs, dividend income from companies and mutual funds, equity share sale transactions with proceeds, mutual fund redemption proceeds, property sale proceeds, rental income reported by tenant (under 194-I), and foreign remittances received.
Since AY 2024-25, the AIS also includes virtual digital asset (cryptocurrency) transactions where exchanges have filed TDS under Section 194S. If you bought or sold any cryptocurrency in FY 2025-26, verify these entries carefully before filing.
Before filing:
Download your AIS from incometax.gov.in > e-File > AIS
Compare every AIS entry against your own records and Form 16/Form 16A
If an entry is incorrect (most commonly: interest or dividend credited to a different PAN, a transaction you did not make, or a duplicate entry), use the feedback option in AIS to report the error
Wait for the AIS to reflect your feedback before filing, if time permits; alternatively, report the discrepancy in your ITR and file on time
Discrepancies between AIS and your filed ITR trigger automated scrutiny notices; addressing them before filing is far easier than responding to a notice afterward
Form 26AS (Tax Credit Statement) is the older counterpart to AIS. It specifically shows TDS and TCS credits, advance tax payments, and self-assessment tax payments. Verify that TDS shown in Form 26AS matches your Form 16, Form 16A, and bank TDS certificates. If a deductor filed incorrect TDS details, your credit claim will be rejected during processing and you will receive a demand notice.
Old Regime vs New Regime: Decide Before You File
The new tax regime is the default for AY 2026-27 under the Income Tax Act 1961. If you want to use the old regime and claim deductions under Sections 80C, 80D, HRA exemption, home loan interest, and others, you must actively select it while filing.
For salaried individuals: you can switch regimes at the time of ITR filing regardless of which regime your employer used for TDS deduction. If your employer deducted TDS under the new regime but you want to file under the old regime and claim deductions, the ITR will calculate the refund due on the excess TDS.
Run both calculations before deciding. The Income Tax Calculator computes old and new regime tax side by side in under 60 seconds. The break-even point for most salaried individuals is typically around Rs 3.75 lakh in Section 80C + HRA deductions: above that level, the old regime usually saves more; below it, the new regime is better. But the exact outcome depends on your specific income, HRA city, home loan, and deduction profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ITR filing last date for FY 2025-26?
The ITR filing last date for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is July 31, 2026 for ITR-1 and ITR-2 filers (salaried individuals, investors). August 31, 2026 for ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers with business income not requiring a tax audit. October 31, 2026 for audit cases and companies. Belated return: December 31, 2026. Revised return: March 31, 2027. Updated return (ITR-U): March 31, 2031.
What is the last date to file ITR for salaried individuals?
The last date for salaried individuals filing ITR-1 or ITR-2 is July 31, 2026. This covers all individuals with salary, pension, capital gains, and house property income, with total income up to Rs 50 lakh (for ITR-1) or any amount (for ITR-2), as long as there is no business income.
What is the company ITR due date for AY 2026-27?
Companies must file by October 31, 2026. Companies with international transactions requiring a transfer pricing report (Section 92E) must file by November 30, 2026.
What is the tax audit due date for FY 2025-26?
The tax audit due date for FY 2025-26 is October 31, 2026. Both the audit report (Form 3CA/3CB with 3CD) and the income tax return must be filed by this date for taxpayers whose accounts require audit under Section 44AB.
What happens if I miss the July 31, 2026 ITR deadline?
You can file a belated return until December 31, 2026. A late filing fee of Rs 5,000 (income above Rs 5 lakh) or Rs 1,000 (income Rs 5 lakh or below) applies under Section 234F. Interest at 1% per month on unpaid tax also applies under Section 234A. You lose the right to carry forward capital gains and business losses.
Will the ITR filing last date be extended in 2026?
No extension has been announced for AY 2026-27. The IT Department has not extended the individual filing deadline since AY 2021-22. Extensions in AY 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 did not occur. Do not plan on an extension.
What is a belated return and what is the last date?
A belated return is an ITR filed after the original due date but before December 31, 2026 (for AY 2026-27), under Section 139(4). A late fee applies. Belated returns cannot carry forward most capital gains and business losses.
What is the difference between a belated return and a revised return?
A belated return (Section 139(4)) is filed when the original deadline was missed. A revised return (Section 139(5)) corrects errors in a return already filed. For AY 2026-27: belated returns must be filed by December 31, 2026; revised returns can be filed until March 31, 2027.
What is an updated return (ITR-U) and when is the last date?
An ITR-U under Section 139(8A) lets you file or correct returns for any assessment year within 4 years of the end of that AY. For AY 2026-27, the deadline is March 31, 2031. Additional tax of 25% or 50% applies. ITR-U cannot be used to claim refunds or additional deductions.
What is the penalty for late ITR filing?
Under Section 234F: Rs 5,000 if total income exceeds Rs 5 lakh; Rs 1,000 if total income is Rs 5 lakh or below; nil if income is below the basic exemption limit. Additionally, Section 234A interest at 1% per month on unpaid tax applies from the due date until actual payment.
Which ITR form should I use for AY 2026-27?
ITR-1 for salary and simple income up to Rs 50 lakh with no capital gains. ITR-2 for capital gains, multiple properties, or foreign assets. ITR-3 for business income including F&O trading. ITR-4 (Sugam) for presumptive income under 44AD (turnover up to Rs 3 crore) or 44ADA (receipts up to Rs 75 lakh).
Is ITR filing mandatory even if I have no tax to pay?
ITR filing is mandatory if gross income exceeds the basic exemption limit (Rs 3 lakh under new regime, Rs 2.5 lakh under old regime for individuals below 60). It is also mandatory regardless of income if you have foreign assets, bank deposits above Rs 1 crore, electricity expenditure above Rs 1 lakh, or foreign travel expenditure above Rs 2 lakh.
Can I choose the old tax regime when filing a belated return?
Salaried individuals (ITR-1/ITR-2) can switch regime at any point, including in a belated return. Self-employed individuals and business owners (ITR-3/ITR-4) must opt for old regime by their original deadline (August 31 or October 31) through Form 10-IE. Missing this deadline permanently locks them into the new regime for FY 2025-26.
What is AIS and why does it matter for ITR filing?
The Annual Information Statement (AIS) at incometax.gov.in shows all your financial activity: salary, interest, dividends, equity and mutual fund transactions, property sales, and crypto trades. The IT Department cross-checks your ITR against AIS. Discrepancies trigger notices. Review AIS before filing and submit feedback for any incorrect entries.
What is the ITR filing last date for previous years I missed?
Belated return windows for AY 2024-25 (December 31, 2024) and AY 2025-26 (December 31, 2025) have passed. You can still file an updated return (ITR-U): for AY 2024-25 until March 31, 2028, and for AY 2025-26 until March 31, 2029. Additional tax of 25-50% applies on the tax due.
CAs and financial advisors can generate Tax Optimization Reports comparing old and new regimes for all their clients at ca.fermor.in.
Note: Due dates are statutory deadlines under the Income Tax Act 1961. The government may extend these dates; always verify on incometax.gov.in before filing. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified chartered accountant for your specific situation.