Updated for August 2026 · One deadline has already passed, one closes on 31 August, and the safety nets run till March 2027 — here's the complete ITR calendar for AY 2026-27 and exactly what missing each date costs you.
Quick answer: For income earned in FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), the ITR due date was 31 July 2026 for ITR-1 and ITR-2 (salaried and most individuals), and is 31 August 2026 for ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers who don't need an audit — freelancers, professionals and small businesses. Missed your date? A belated return can be filed till 31 December 2026 with a late fee of ₹1,000–₹5,000 under Section 234F plus 1% per month interest on unpaid tax. Filed but found a mistake? A revised return is now allowed till 31 March 2027.
Key takeaways
- 31 August 2026: last date for ITR-3 / ITR-4 without audit — new extra month this year.
- Belated return: till 31 December 2026, with ₹1,000 (income up to ₹5 lakh) or ₹5,000 fee.
- Revised return: extended to 31 March 2027 — free if revised by 31 December.
- Filing late costs more than the fee: 1%/month interest, lost loss carry-forward, and you're locked into the new tax regime.
- Refunds survive: you can still claim a refund through a belated return.
The complete deadline calendar for AY 2026-27
| Who you are | Return / action | Last date |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried, pensioners, most individuals | ITR-1 / ITR-2 | 31 July 2026 (passed) |
| Business / profession, no audit needed | ITR-3 / ITR-4 | 31 August 2026 |
| Accounts requiring tax audit (Sec 44AB) | ITR with audit report | 31 October 2026 |
| Transfer pricing cases | ITR with Form 3CEB | 30 November 2026 |
| Missed your due date | Belated return — Sec 139(4) | 31 December 2026 |
| Filed, then found an error | Revised return — Sec 139(5) | 31 March 2027 |
| Missed even the belated window | Updated return (ITR-U) — Sec 139(8A) | 31 March 2031 |
Unlike some countries, India has no personal extension request — you cannot apply for individual extra time. Once your date passes, the belated-return route (with its costs) is the only regular option.
Filing ITR-3 or ITR-4? You have until 31 August
For the first time, non-audit business and professional taxpayers get a full extra month over salaried filers. This covers freelancers, consultants, doctors, shop owners and anyone declaring business or professional income — including presumptive taxation under Section 44AD (businesses) and Section 44ADA (professionals) on ITR-4. If you're on the presumptive scheme and want to sanity-check your declared profit before filing, run your numbers through our Section 44AD / 44ADA presumptive tax calculator first.
Don't wait for the last evening. The e-filing portal slows down badly in the final 48 hours every year, and a failed submission on 31 August still counts as late on 1 September.
What filing late actually costs you
The late fee gets the headlines, but it's the smallest of four costs:
- Section 234F late fee — ₹1,000 if your total income is up to ₹5 lakh; ₹5,000 if it's above. Charged automatically when you file belated.
- Section 234A interest — 1% per month (or part of a month) on any unpaid tax, counted from the day after your due date until you file. If you also underpaid advance tax during the year, Sections 234B and 234C add their own interest — estimate the damage with our Section 234B / 234C interest calculator.
- Lost loss carry-forward — file after the due date and most losses (business losses, capital losses) cannot be carried forward to set off against future income. Loss from house property is the main exception.
- Tax regime lock-in — the new regime is the default for FY 2025-26. The option to choose the old regime lapses with your due date, so a belated filer who would have saved money under the old regime (big HRA, 80C, home-loan interest) simply loses that choice for the year.
⚠️ The refund myth
"I'm getting a refund, so late filing doesn't matter" is half true. Yes, you can still claim your refund through a belated return — but the Section 234F fee applies anyway, and the interest the department pays you on the refund shrinks because it's computed from your filing date, not from April.
Missed your date? How to file a belated return
A belated return is filed on the same portal, the same way — you just select a different section. Ten minutes if your documents are ready:
- Log in at the income-tax e-filing portal with your PAN.
- Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return, choose AY 2026-27.
- Under filing section, select 139(4) — Belated.
- Fill the return as usual. The portal auto-adds the 234F fee and 234A interest to your tax payable.
- Pay any balance tax, submit, and e-verify within 30 days — an unverified return is treated as never filed.
Filed but made a mistake? Revise it — now till 31 March 2027
Budget 2026 quietly gave taxpayers a useful gift: the revised-return window under Section 139(5), which used to close on 31 December, now runs till 31 March 2027 for AY 2026-27. A revised return completely replaces your earlier one, and even a belated return can be revised.
One catch: revise by 31 December 2026 and it's free; revise between 1 January and 31 March 2027 and a fee applies under the new Section 234I — ₹1,000 (income up to ₹5 lakh) or ₹5,000 (above). So if you've spotted a missed deduction or a wrong bank account, fix it this year, not next.
Missed 31 December too? The ITR-U long stop
After the belated window shuts, the only route left is the updated return (ITR-U) — available for up to 48 months from the end of the assessment year, i.e. till 31 March 2031 for AY 2026-27. It comes at a steep price: additional tax of 25% to 70% of the tax and interest due, rising the longer you wait. And ITR-U only works one way — you can use it to declare more income, never to claim or increase a refund. Treat it as a last resort, not a plan.
Why this filing season is one of a kind
This is the last ITR season under the Income-tax Act, 1961. The new Income Tax Act, 2025 came into force on 1 April 2026, but it governs income earned from FY 2026-27 onwards — so the return you file now, for FY 2025-26 income, still runs entirely on the old Act. Next year's filing (in 2027) will be the first under the new law.
Two smaller changes worth knowing this year: ITR-1 now permits up to two house properties (a third pushes you to ITR-2), and under the new regime, taxable income up to ₹12 lakh is effectively tax-free for resident individuals thanks to the ₹60,000 Section 87A rebate — about ₹12.75 lakh for salaried taxpayers after the ₹75,000 standard deduction. If you're computing deductions like health insurance under the old regime instead, our Section 80D deduction calculator covers the limits.
What to do right now (5-minute check)
- ITR-3/ITR-4 filer? File before 31 August — today, not on the 31st.
- Missed 31 July? File belated now; every month of delay adds 1% interest on unpaid tax.
- Already filed? Confirm you e-verified within 30 days — check under e-File → View Filed Returns.
- Spotted an error? Revise before 31 December 2026 while it's still free.
- Expecting a refund? Verify your bank account is pre-validated on the portal — refunds only go to validated accounts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to file ITR for AY 2026-27?
31 July 2026 for ITR-1 and ITR-2 (already passed), 31 August 2026 for ITR-3 and ITR-4 without audit, 31 October 2026 for audit cases and 30 November 2026 for transfer-pricing cases. After your date, a belated return is allowed till 31 December 2026.
What is the penalty for filing ITR late?
A Section 234F fee of ₹1,000 (total income up to ₹5 lakh) or ₹5,000 (above ₹5 lakh), plus 1% per month interest under Section 234A on unpaid tax. You also lose carry-forward of most losses and the option to pick the old tax regime for the year.
Can I still file my ITR if I missed 31 July 2026?
Yes. File a belated return under Section 139(4) any time up to 31 December 2026 on the e-filing portal — the late fee and interest are added automatically, and refunds can still be claimed.
Can I correct my ITR after filing it?
Yes. A revised return under Section 139(5) can be filed till 31 March 2027 for AY 2026-27. It's free if you revise by 31 December 2026; after that, a ₹1,000–₹5,000 fee applies under the new Section 234I.
Will I still get my refund on a belated return?
Yes, refunds can be claimed through a belated return. The 234F late fee still applies, and interest on your refund is lower because it runs from your actual filing date.
Is income up to ₹12 lakh really tax-free for FY 2025-26?
Yes, for resident individuals under the new (default) tax regime — the ₹60,000 rebate under Section 87A wipes out tax on taxable income up to ₹12 lakh, and salaried taxpayers effectively reach about ₹12.75 lakh with the ₹75,000 standard deduction. You must still file a return to claim it.
What happens if I miss the 31 December 2026 belated deadline as well?
Your only option is an updated return (ITR-U), available till 31 March 2031 with additional tax of 25%–70%. ITR-U cannot be used to claim or increase a refund.
About ComplyKraft. Built by Dinesh Kumar S in Chennai — B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. IT, 5+ years in accounts, GST and compliance. Plain-language guides to Indian tax, government services and Tamil Nadu records.
Source & disclaimer: Deadlines and fees as per the Income-tax Act, 1961 (Sections 139, 234A, 234F, 234I) and Income Tax Department / CBDT notifications for AY 2026-27. Informational guide, not tax advice — due dates can be extended by CBDT notification, so confirm the current position on incometax.gov.in or with a qualified professional before acting.