ITR filing for AY 2027-28 will be the first full exercise under the new Income-tax Act, 2025. The forms are not out yet. The dates, however, are already written into the law.
The last date to file ITR for AY 2027-28 depends on your income type. For salaried individuals and HUFs with no business income, it is 31 July 2027. For business or professional income without audit, it is 31 August 2027. The CBDT has not yet issued the AY 2027-28 notification, so treat these as the current dates.
By the numbers
- 31 July 2027 (Saturday) – last date for ITR-1 and ITR-2 filers
- 31 August 2027 (Tuesday) – last date for ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers (business or profession, no audit)
- 30 September 2027 (Thursday) – tax audit report date
- 31 October 2027 (Sunday) – return date for audit cases
- 30 November 2027 (Tuesday) – return date for transfer-pricing cases
- 31 December 2027 (Friday) – last date for a belated return
- 31 March 2028 (Friday) – last date for a revised return
- 31 March 2032 – last date for an updated return (ITR-U) for AY 2027-28
- Rs 1,000 – late fee if total income is up to Rs 5 lakh
- Rs 5,000 – late fee if total income is above Rs 5 lakh
- 1% per month – interest on unpaid tax
- Rs 60,000 – maximum rebate under Section 156
- Rs 12 lakh – income up to this level pays zero tax in the new regime
- Rs 12.75 lakh – effective tax-free gross salary after the Rs 75,000 standard deduction
- Rs 75,000 / Rs 50,000 – standard deduction in the new regime / old regime
New-regime slabs for FY 2026-27: nil up to Rs 4 lakh; 5% from Rs 4-8 lakh; 10% from Rs 8-12 lakh; 15% from Rs 12-16 lakh; 20% from Rs 16-20 lakh; 25% from Rs 20-24 lakh; 30% above Rs 24 lakh. The due dates above come from Section 263 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, as amended by Finance Act 2026. The slabs are unchanged from FY 2025-26, as stated in the Finance Bill 2026 memorandum.
What is AY 2027-28 and why is it different?
AY 2027-28 covers income you earn in FY 2026-27, that is, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
The big difference is the law itself. The Income-tax Act, 1961 was replaced by the new Income-tax Act, 2025 on 1 April 2026. So AY 2027-28 is the first full tax year under the new Act. Every section you memorised has a new number. The filing rules, though, stay broadly the same. You still file a return, you still verify it, you still pay a late fee if you are late.
Why do people still say “AY” when the new Act says “tax year”?
The new Act uses the term “tax year” instead of “previous year” and “assessment year”. Old habits die hard. Most people, including most tax portals, still call the return for FY 2026-27 the “AY 2027-28 return”. That is fine. Just know that when you see “tax year 2026-27” in the new Act, it means the same income period.
What is the last date to file ITR for AY 2027-28?
Here is the deadline table by filer type.
| Type of filer | Return form | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried individual, pensioner, up to two house properties (no business income) | ITR-1 or ITR-2 | 31 July 2027 (Saturday) |
| Individual or HUF with business or professional income, no audit | ITR-3 or ITR-4 | 31 August 2027 (Tuesday) |
| Tax audit report | – | 30 September 2027 (Thursday) |
| Audit cases | ITR-3, ITR-5, ITR-6 | 31 October 2027 (Sunday) |
| Transfer-pricing cases | ITR-3, ITR-5, ITR-6 | 30 November 2027 (Tuesday) |
Has the CBDT announced these dates yet?
No. The CBDT has not issued the AY 2027-28 notification. The dates above are the statutory dates in the law as it stands. Historically, the department has extended dates when the portal faces heavy load or technical problems. So watch for an official circular before you plan your filing. Do not assume an extension. File by the date in the law. Our ITR filing last date guide for AY 2026-27 shows how last year’s extensions worked.
Which ITR form should you file?
The forms for AY 2027-28 have not been notified yet. The CBDT usually notifies them before April 2027. Until then, here is the general map based on the existing pattern. See our full ITR-1 to ITR-7 guide for the detailed chooser.
- ITR-1 (Sahaj) – resident individuals with income up to Rs 50 lakh from salary, up to two house properties and other sources. Listed-equity long-term capital gains up to Rs 1.25 lakh are also allowed. No business income.
- ITR-2 – individuals and HUFs with capital gains, more than two house properties, foreign assets, or income above Rs 50 lakh. No business income.
- ITR-3 – individuals and HUFs with business or professional income, including partners in a firm.
- ITR-4 (Sugam) – resident individuals, HUFs and firms with presumptive business income under the small-business and professional presumptive schemes.
- ITR-5 – firms, LLPs and associations of persons.
- ITR-6 – companies other than those claiming exemption.
- ITR-7 – trusts, political parties and other entities filing under specific provisions.
Pick the form that matches your income sources. If you have both salary and freelance income, ITR-3 is usually the right one. When the forms go live, the utility on the e-filing portal will help you confirm.
What changed for AY 2027-28?
Three things matter most: the new section numbers, the longer revised-return window, and the permanent 31 August date for business filers.
The section numbers have changed
The new Act renumbers sections. Here is the mapping you will need.
| What you are doing | Old Act (1961) | New Act (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Filing your return | 139 | 263 |
| Belated return | 139(4) | 263(4) |
| Revised return | 139(5) | 263(5) |
| Updated return (ITR-U) | 139(8A) | 263(6) |
| Late fee | 234F | 428 |
| Interest for late filing | 234A | 423 |
| Interest for advance-tax shortfall | 234B | 424 |
| Interest for instalment deferment | 234C | 425 |
| New tax regime | 115BAC | 202 |
| Rebate | 87A | 156 |
| Tax audit | 44AB | 63 |
If you read an old article that talks about Section 139 or 234F, translate it using this table. The substance is the same. Only the labels moved.
The revised-return window is now 12 months
Under Section 263(5), you can revise your return until 31 March 2028. That is a full 12 months from the end of the tax year. Earlier, under the old 9-month rule, it closed on 31 December. Finance Act 2026 made this change. So if you discover a missed deduction or a wrong bank detail, you have more breathing room than before. Read our revised return guide for the full fee and step-by-step process.
31 August is now a permanent date
Finance Act 2026 made the 31 August deadline for non-audit business and professional filers a permanent part of the law. It is no longer a one-off extension announced each year. If you file ITR-3 or ITR-4, plan around 31 August 2027.
The tax rates did not change
Budget 2026 and Finance Act 2026 left the new-regime slabs untouched. The rates for FY 2026-27 are the same as FY 2025-26. The rebate under Section 156 is still up to Rs 60,000, so a resident individual with total income up to Rs 12 lakh pays zero tax in the new regime. For salaried people, the Rs 75,000 standard deduction pushes the tax-free gross salary to about Rs 12.75 lakh. Marginal relief applies just above Rs 12 lakh. The rebate does not apply to income taxed at special capital-gains rates. See the full slab table in our new tax regime slabs guide.
How to prepare now
The best time to get ready is months before the deadline. Here is a simple checklist.
Collect your documents
- Form 16 or Form 130 from your employer (the new Act renames some forms; check the portal when it goes live)
- AIS – the Annual Information Statement on the e-filing portal
- Form 26AS or Form 168 – your tax credit statement
- Capital gains statements from your broker or mutual fund platform
- Advance-tax challans and self-assessment tax receipts
- Bank account details – pre-validated on the portal
- Rent receipts, home loan interest certificate, and 80C-type proofs if you are in the old regime
Reconcile AIS with Form 16
Do this before you sit down to file. Open your AIS and compare each entry with your Form 16 and your bank interest certificates. Mismatches are a common cause of notices. If a dividend or interest entry looks wrong, raise a feedback request on the portal early. It takes time to correct.
Pay advance tax by 15 March 2027
The last instalment for FY 2026-27 is due on 15 March 2027 (Monday), and it must bring your cumulative payment to 100%. If you have freelance income, capital gains or interest income without TDS, estimate your tax and pay it. Paying on time avoids interest under Sections 424 and 425. Our advance tax December instalment guide explains the 15%/45%/75%/100% schedule.
E-verify within 30 days
Filing is only half the job. You must e-verify the return within 30 days of filing. If you do not, the return is treated as not filed. Use Aadhaar OTP, net banking or a bank account EVC. Set a reminder the moment you submit.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
You can still file a belated return under Section 263(4) until 31 December 2027. But it comes at a cost.
- Late fee under Section 428: Rs 1,000 if total income is up to Rs 5 lakh, Rs 5,000 if above.
- Interest under Section 423: 1% per month on unpaid tax, from the due date to the date of payment.
- Losses: you lose the right to carry forward capital losses and business losses. Filing on time protects that right. Filing late does not.
After 31 December 2027, the belated window closes. You can then use an updated return under Section 263(6) — ITR-U — within 48 months from the end of the financial year after the tax year. For AY 2027-28, that means up to 31 March 2032. You pay extra tax of 25%, 50%, 60% or 70% depending on which year you file in. And you cannot use ITR-U to claim or increase a refund.
FAQ
What is the last date for filing ITR for AY 2027-28?
It depends on your income. For salaried people and HUFs without business income, it is 31 July 2027. For business or professional income without audit, it is 31 August 2027. Audit cases get 31 October 2027. These are statutory dates, and the CBDT has not yet issued the AY 2027-28 notification.
What is the due date for ITR-1 for AY 2027-28?
31 July 2027, a Saturday. ITR-1 is for resident individuals with income up to Rs 50 lakh from salary, up to two house properties and other sources. If your income sources are more complex, you may need ITR-2 or ITR-3.
Can I file a belated return for AY 2027-28, and till when?
Yes. A belated return under Section 263(4) can be filed until 31 December 2027. You will pay a late fee of Rs 1,000 or Rs 5,000, plus 1% interest per month on unpaid tax. You also lose the right to carry forward capital and business losses.
What is the revised return window for AY 2027-28?
You can revise your return until 31 March 2028 under Section 263(5). Finance Act 2026 extended this window to 12 months from the end of the tax year. Earlier, under the old 9-month rule, it closed on 31 December.
Have the ITR forms for AY 2027-28 been notified?
No. The CBDT has not yet notified the forms for AY 2027-28. They usually come out before April 2027. Until then, use the existing ITR-1 to ITR-7 structure as a rough guide only.
Is income up to Rs 12 lakh tax-free under the new regime for AY 2027-28?
Yes, for resident individuals. The rebate under Section 156 is up to Rs 60,000, which brings the tax to zero at Rs 12 lakh of total income. Salaried people get to about Rs 12.75 lakh gross because of the Rs 75,000 standard deduction. The rebate does not apply to income taxed at special capital-gains rates.
What happens if I miss the 31 July 2027 deadline?
You can file a belated return until 31 December 2027 with a late fee and interest. Your capital and business loss carry-forward rights are lost. If you miss even that, an updated return under Section 263(6) is possible till 31 March 2032, with extra tax.
Which section governs ITR filing under the new Income-tax Act, 2025?
Section 263. The old Section 139 is now Section 263. Belated returns sit in 263(4), revised returns in 263(5) and updated returns in 263(6).
Official sources
- Income Tax e-Filing Portal (incometax.gov.in) – file your return, check AIS and Form 26AS, and e-verify.
- Income Tax Department (incometaxindia.gov.in) – CBDT circulars and notifications, including the AY 2027-28 due-date notification when it is issued.
- India Code (indiacode.nic.in) – the text of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (Section 263, Section 428, Section 202, Section 156).
- Union Budget (indiabudget.gov.in) – Budget 2026 and Finance Act 2026 documents.
A final word
Start early. Reconcile your AIS. Pay your advance tax by 15 March 2027. File well before the deadline, and e-verify the same week. The new Act changes the labels, not the discipline.
Reviewed by Asuthod Rathod, CA
Last updated: 13 November 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational information only. It is not tax advice. Tax law and due dates can change. Always check the latest circulars and notifications on incometax.gov.in, or consult a qualified chartered accountant before you file.
Editorial byline for eircicai freelancer tax and ITR filing guides — covering 44ADA presumptive tax, advance tax, and ITR filing. Content is reviewed by Asuthod Rathod, CA.