ITR Filing Last Date for AY 2026-27: Due Dates, Penalties & Belated Returns

Filing your income tax return on time is not just about avoiding a penalty — a late return also means losing the ability to carry forward certain losses and delaying any refund you are owed. Here is what you need to know for Assessment Year 2026-27.

Who files by which date

The due date depends on the category of taxpayer:

• Individuals and taxpayers not requiring audit — the standard due date falls on 31 July following the financial year.
• Taxpayers requiring a tax audit (businesses and professionals above the prescribed turnover) — a later due date, typically 31 October.
• Taxpayers with transfer pricing obligations — a further extended date.

Because dates are occasionally extended by the CBDT, always confirm the current year's notified deadline rather than assuming last year's applies.

What happens if you miss the deadline

Missing the due date has real consequences:

• Late filing fee under Section 234F — a fee of up to ₹5,000 applies when you file after the due date (reduced for small taxpayers with income below a threshold).
• Interest under Section 234A — charged on any unpaid tax from the due date until you actually pay.
• Loss of carry-forward — certain losses (like capital losses and business losses) cannot be carried forward if the return is filed late.
• Delayed refund — if you are owed a refund, filing late simply pushes back when you receive it.

The belated return option

If you miss the original deadline, you can still file a belated return up to the cut-off date allowed for the assessment year (generally 31 December, unless notified otherwise). A belated return attracts the late fee and interest above, but it is far better than not filing at all.

If you later discover a mistake, a revised return can be filed within the permitted window to correct it.

Don't wait for the deadline rush

Filing early avoids portal slowdowns near the deadline, gives you time to gather documents and reconcile your Form 26AS and AIS, and gets any refund to you sooner. If you would like help filing accurately and on time, our team handles the entire process for salaried individuals, professionals, and businesses.