Quick-answer box (as of 18 October 2026)
The 31 July and 31 August filing dates for AY 2026-27 have passed. Two windows are still open: the tax audit report is due by 21 October 2026 (extended from 30 September), and audit-case ITRs are due by 21 November 2026 (extended from 31 October). Everyone else who missed their date can still file a belated return by 31 December 2026 — with a late fee and interest.
| What you need to know | Status |
|---|---|
| Salaried / no-audit (ITR-1, ITR-2) — due 31 Jul 2026 | Missed — file a belated return before 31 Dec 2026 |
| Business / profession, no audit (ITR-3/ITR-4) — due 31 Aug 2026 | Missed — file a belated return before 31 Dec 2026 |
| Tax audit report — 30 Sep 2026, extended to 21 Oct 2026 | Open — furnish the audit report before 21 Oct 2026 |
| ITR for audit cases — 31 Oct 2026, extended to 21 Nov 2026 | Open — file the ITR before 21 Nov 2026 |
| Belated return (Section 139(4)) — due 31 Dec 2026 | Open — the last regular window |
| Revised return (Section 139(5)) — window now till 31 Mar 2027 | Open — correct a return filed earlier |
| Updated return ITR-U (Section 139(8A)) — if 31 Dec is missed | Open — longer window, additional tax applies |
| Transfer-pricing cases (Form 3CEB) — due 30 Nov 2026 | Open — file before 30 Nov 2026 |
Deadline calendar
| Who are you? | Form to use | Due date for AY 2026-27 | Current status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaried, pensioners, no audit | ITR-1 / ITR-2 | 31 Jul 2026 | Missed |
| Business / profession, no audit | ITR-3 / ITR-4 | 31 Aug 2026 | Missed |
| Tax audit report | Form 3CA / 3CB (+ 3CD) | 21 Oct 2026 (extended from 30 Sep) | Open |
| Taxpayers whose accounts need audit | ITR-3 / ITR-5 (as applicable) | 21 Nov 2026 (extended from 31 Oct) | Open |
| Transfer-pricing cases | Form 3CEB | 30 Nov 2026 | Open |
| Belated return | Any applicable ITR form | 31 Dec 2026 | Open |
| Revised return | Any applicable ITR form | 31 Mar 2027 | Open |
| Updated return (ITR-U) | ITR-U | Within 48 months of the end of the AY | Open |
What changed this year
1. A permanent August-31 deadline for non-audit business returns
The Finance Act 2026 made a permanent change. From AY 2026-27 onward, taxpayers who file ITR-3 or ITR-4 without a tax audit get one extra month every year. Their deadline is now 31 August. This is not a one-time extension — it applies to all future assessment years too.
2. 21-day extensions announced on 28 September 2026
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) announced fresh extensions for AY 2026-27:
- The tax-audit report deadline moved from 30 September 2026 to 21 October 2026.
- The ITR filing deadline for audit cases moved from 31 October 2026 to 21 November 2026.
These extensions apply only to audit cases. They do not change the July or August dates for other taxpayers.
3. Revised-return window stretched to 31 March 2027
Budget 2026 extended the period for filing a revised return under Section 139(5). Taxpayers can now revise a filed return up to 31 March 2027 instead of the earlier 31 December cut-off. Budget 2026 also added a fee for revised returns filed after 1 January 2027.
4. Mapping to the new Income-Tax Act, 2025
AY 2026-27 is the last assessment year fully governed by the Income-Tax Act, 1961. From Tax Year 2026-27 (returns due in 2027), the new Act applies. The old sections map as follows:
| Old section (1961 Act) | New section (2025 Act) |
|---|---|
| 139 (return filing) | 263 |
| 234F (late fee) | 428 |
| 234A (interest for late filing) | 423 |
| 115BAC (new tax regime) | 202 |
What stayed the same
| Feature | Rule for AY 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Late-filing fee — Section 234F | Rs 5,000 if total income is above Rs 5 lakh; Rs 1,000 if it is Rs 5 lakh or below |
| Interest on unpaid tax — Section 234A | 1% per month (or part of a month) on the tax still due, from the original due date |
| E-verification | Must be done within 30 days of filing; an unverified return is treated as not filed |
| Regime choice | Old-vs-new regime choice must be made before the original due date under Section 139(1); belated filers are processed under the new regime |
| Refunds | A refund is not lost because of late filing; processing only starts later |
| Losses on belated returns | Business and capital losses cannot be carried forward; a house-property loss can be carried forward |
| Record filing | Over 7.8 crore ITRs were filed for AY 2026-27 up to 31 August 2026 — a new record |
Practical impact: what to do now
Can I still file ITR after the due date?
Yes. If your deadline was 31 July or 31 August 2026 and you have not filed yet, the law lets you file a belated return under Section 139(4). The last date is 31 December 2026. The filing process is the same as a regular return: pick the right ITR form, enter your income, pay any tax due plus the late fee and interest, and e-verify within 30 days.
What is the penalty for late filing?
Two charges apply on a belated return:
- Late-filing fee (Section 234F) — Rs 5,000 if your total income is above Rs 5 lakh, Rs 1,000 if it is Rs 5 lakh or below.
- Interest (Section 234A) — 1% per month on the tax you still owe, counted from your original due date (31 July, 31 August, or the extended 21 November for audit cases).
One more cost is easy to miss: on a belated return you lose the option of the old tax regime. The return is processed under the new regime, which can raise the tax bill if you rely on 80C, HRA, or home-loan deductions.
Step-by-step: filing a belated return before 31 December 2026
- Gather documents — Form 16/16A, bank statements, TDS certificates, capital-gain statements, rent receipts.
- Add up your total income — salary, business profit, capital gains, house-property income, and other sources.
- Note the regime rule — a belated return is processed under the new regime; the old-regime choice is no longer available for this year.
- Compute tax — apply the new-regime slabs for FY 2025-26 to your total income.
- Subtract tax already paid — TDS, advance tax, and self-assessment tax paid earlier.
- Pay the shortfall — use Challan 280 on the income-tax e-filing portal.
- Add the late fee — Rs 5,000 or Rs 1,000 under Section 234F, paid with the same challan.
- Add interest — 1% per month under Section 234A on the unpaid amount, from your original due date.
- File the return — log in to the e-filing portal, pick the correct ITR form, fill it online or upload the XML, and submit.
- E-verify within 30 days — via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or by posting a signed ITR-V to the CPC.
- Track your refund — if one is due, it is processed after verification; late filing only pushes the credit date back.
What if I also miss 31 December 2026?
You still have one option: an updated return (ITR-U) under Section 139(8A). It can be filed within 48 months of the end of the assessment year. But the cost is steep: on top of the tax and interest, you pay additional tax — 25% of the tax-and-interest due if filed within 12 months of the end of the AY, 50% within 24 months, 60% within 36 months, and 70% within 48 months. The new regime applies, and business or capital losses are lost for good.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the last date to file ITR for FY 2025-26?
For salaried and other non-audit taxpayers the deadline was 31 July 2026. Business and professional taxpayers without audit had until 31 August 2026. Audit-case taxpayers now have until 21 November 2026 after the CBDT extension.
2. Has the ITR filing date been extended for 2026?
Yes, for audit cases: the audit report deadline was extended to 21 October 2026 and the audit-case ITR deadline to 21 November 2026 (announced 28 September 2026). The regular 31 July and 31 August dates were not extended.
3. What happens if I miss the ITR filing deadline?
You can file a belated return under Section 139(4) before 31 December 2026. You must pay a late-filing fee of Rs 5,000 (or Rs 1,000 if income is up to Rs 5 lakh) plus 1% per month interest on unpaid tax. You also lose the old-regime option and most loss carry-forwards for that year.
4. What is the last date to file a belated ITR?
The last day for a belated return for AY 2026-27 is 31 December 2026. After that, only an updated return (ITR-U) can be filed, within the 48-month window, with additional tax of 25% to 70%.
5. Will I still get my refund if I file late?
Yes. A refund is not forfeited by late filing. Processing starts after your return is e-verified, so the money simply arrives later than it would have.
6. What if I miss the 31 December deadline as well?
You can file an updated return (ITR-U) under Section 139(8A) within 48 months of the end of the assessment year. You will pay the tax, interest, and additional tax of 25% to 70% of the amount due. Business and capital losses cannot be carried forward; only a house-property loss survives.
Related reading
- Belated ITR filing: last date, fee and interest
- How to file ITR online: step-by-step e-filing guide
- Income tax refund status: how to check online
- Tax audit report due date extended to 21 October 2026
- Old vs new tax regime: which is better for FY 2026-27
Official sources
- Income Tax Department — https://www.incometax.gov.in
- Income-tax e-Filing portal — https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal
- CBDT — https://www.cbdt.gov.in
Reviewed by Asuthod Rathod, CA
Last updated: 18 October 2026
This article gives general information only. It is not personal tax advice. Talk to a qualified tax professional about your own situation.
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.