ITR Due Dates in India (FY 2025-26 / AY 2026-27)

In the latest update (Finance Act 2026), the ITR filing deadlines have been shifted for many taxpayers. Most individual/salaried taxpayers still must file by 31st July 2026, but small business or professional taxpayers without audit now have until 31st August 2026. Companies and other entities requiring tax audit have a due date of 31st October 2026, and cases with international transactions (transfer pricing) must file by 30th November 2026.

If you miss these dates, you can still submit a belated return by 31st December 2026 (with late fees), or a revised return by 31st March 2027 if you discover errors.

Late filing attracts penalties: up to ₹5,000 (or ₹1,000 for incomes ≤₹5 lakh) under Section 234F, plus interest at 1% per month on unpaid tax (Section 234A). Crucially, filing late means you cannot carry forward business or capital losses (only house-property losses can be carried forward).

Below is a user-friendly breakdown of these dates, penalties, and tips to avoid trouble.

✨ Latest ITR Filing Deadlines for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)

The Income-tax Act (as amended by Finance Act 2026) sets these due dates:

• Salaried & Other Non-Business Individuals: File by 31 July 2026 (unchanged).
• Small Business/Profession (no audit): File by 31 August 2026 (extended from July 31).
• Businesses/Professionals Requiring Audit: File by 31 October 2026.
• International/Specified Transactions (Transfer Pricing): File by 30 November 2026.

• Belated Returns: If you miss the original due date, you can still file a belated return by 31st December 2026.
• Revised Returns: To correct any mistakes in your filed return, you may file a revised return by 31st March 2027 (i.e. before the end of the assessment year). Note: Finance Act 2026 allows revision up to 12 months after FY-end (March 31), with a new late-fee if filed after 31 Dec (see penalties below).
  

⏰ What If You Miss the Deadline?

• Late Filing Fees (Sec 234F): Filing after the due date (July/Aug/Oct/Nov deadlines) incurs a fee. The Income Tax Department imposes up to ₹5,000 penalty (under Section 234F) for late return—however, it is capped at ₹1,000 if your total income is ≤₹5 lakh. For example, a salaried person who misses the 31st July deadline (and has income above ₹5 lakh) would owe ₹5,000 by late-filing on say, 15th August. The late fee applies even if you file by 31st Dec (the belated last date).
  
• Interest on Late Tax (Sec 234A): In addition to fees, interest at 1% per month (simple interest) is charged on any tax you owe, for the period from the original due date until you pay. This means if you file late and have a tax payment, interest accrues each month from the deadline (e.g. after 31st July/Aug) until you file and pay.
  
• Loss of Carry-Forward Benefits: Crucially, filing after the due date means you cannot carry forward certain losses to future years. As per Income-tax rules, business losses and capital losses can only be carried forward if the return is filed on time. If you file late, these losses cannot be set off in future years. (Exception: House-property losses can still be carried forward even if the return is late.)*
  

🔄 Belated vs Revised Returns

• Belated Return (Sec 139(4)) – Use this if you miss any original deadline. You must file by 31 Dec 2026 (or before any assessment is done) and pay late fees under 234F. Note you lose the right to carry forward most losses when filing belatedly.
  
• Revised Return (Sec 139(5)) – Use this to correct mistakes in a return already filed (whether on time or belated). For AY 2026-27, revised returns can be filed up to March 31, 2027. No new refunds are given, but mistakes (like a missed deduction) can be fixed. Finance Act 2026 also introduced a new fee (Section 234I) for revising returns after 9 months from FY-end (i.e. after 31 Dec 2026) – ₹5,000 if income >₹5L or ₹1,000 otherwise.

In summary, missing the due date means extra costs: pay the fixed late fee, interest, and lose some loss-carryforward. So it’s best to file early if possible!

📌 Important Tips for Filing

• Verify Your Return: After e-filing, you must verify your ITR (electronically) within 30 days of submission (per CBDT notification).
  You can verify online via Aadhaar OTP, netbanking EVC, bank/demat EVC, or DSC. (If you filed by paper, send a signed ITR-V to CPC Bangalore.) If you fail to verify in time, the return is treated as not filed (with all consequences).
  
• Keep Documents Handy: Collect your Form 16, bank statements, investment proofs, etc., before filing. Choose the correct ITR form (ITR-1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) based on your income sources.
  
• File Early if Possible: Don’t wait until the last day. Early filing avoids last-minute rush and any risk of missing the deadline.
  
  

FAQ (Common Questions)

1. Q: What is the due date to file my ITR if I’m a salaried individual (no audit)?
   A: For FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), the due date for salaried or other non-business taxpayers (ITR‑1/2) is 31st July 2026.
   
2. Q: What if I miss the July/August deadline? Can I still file my ITR?
   A: Yes. You can file a belated return by 31st December 2026. However, you must pay a late-filing fee (₹1,000 or ₹5,000 under Section 234F) and interest on any unpaid tax.
   
3. Q: What is the last date to file a revised return?
   A: You can submit a revised return (to correct mistakes) up to 31st March 2027. A new late fee applies if you revise after 31st Dec 2026.
   
4. Q: What penalties apply if I file my ITR after the due date?
   A: Late filing attracts a fee under Section 234F: up to ₹5,000 (₹1,000 if income ≤₹5 lakh). There’s also interest @1% per month on any unpaid tax (Section 234A).
   
5. Q: Can I carry forward my business losses if I file ITR late?
   A: No. If you file after the due date, business and capital losses cannot be carried forward to future years. (Losses from house property can still be carried forward.)
   
6. Q: I am a trader doing F&O, when should I file my ITR?
   A: If you are doing F&O trading, it is treated as business income.
   If audit is required → Due date is 31st October 2026
   If no audit required → Due date is 31st August 2026
   
7. Q: I am a freelancer, what is my ITR due date?
   A: Freelancers are treated as professionals.
   If your income is below audit limit → 31st August 2026
   If audit applies → 31st October 2026
   
8. Q: I opted for presumptive taxation (44AD/44ADA), what is my due date?
   A: 👉 31st August 2026
   But if you declare lower income than required and audit becomes applicable:
   👉 31st October 2026
   
9. Q: I am a YouTuber / influencer, when should I file ITR?
   A: YouTubers and influencers are treated as professionals.
   👉 No audit → 31st August 2026
   👉 Audit → 31st October 2026
   
10. Q: What is audit and to whom is it applicable?
    A: A tax audit means your income and accounts are checked by a Chartered Accountant to make sure everything is correct as per rules of the Income Tax Department.
    👉 It is applicable in these cases:
    Business owners → if turnover is more than ₹1 crore
    (can go up to ₹10 crore if cash transactions are very low).
    Professionals (freelancers, doctors, consultants) → if income is more than ₹50 lakh( ₹75 lakh if cash transactions are very low).
    Presumptive taxation cases → if you show lower income than required.
    👉 If audit is applicable, your ITR due date becomes 31st October 2026.