Quick answer: For AY 2026-27 (FY 2025-26), the ITR due date is 31 July 2026 for ITR-1 and ITR-2, and 31 August 2026 for ITR-3 and ITR-4 in non-audit cases. This split deadline is a permanent change under the Finance Act 2026 — not a one-time extension. Filing late attracts a fee of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 under Section 234F, interest at 1% per month on unpaid tax under Section 234A, and — most costly of all — loss of the right to carry forward business and capital losses.
What are the ITR due dates for AY 2026-27?
The Income Tax Department has notified separate deadlines this year based on the ITR form you file. Here is the complete calendar:
| Taxpayer category | ITR form | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried individuals, pensioners, capital gains (non-audit) | ITR-1 / ITR-2 | 31 July 2026 |
| Business & profession, non-audit — including presumptive cases under Section 44AD / 44ADA | ITR-3 / ITR-4 | 31 August 2026 |
| Tax audit cases under Section 44AB | ITR-3 / ITR-5, etc. | 31 October 2026 (audit report by 30 September 2026) |
| Transfer pricing cases | As applicable | 30 November 2026 |
| Belated / late return | Any | 31 December 2026 |
| Revised return | Any | 31 March 2027 |
Why is the August 31 deadline different this year?
Until last year, almost all non-audit taxpayers shared a single 31 July deadline. From AY 2026-27 onwards, the Finance Act 2026 has permanently moved the due date for ITR-3 and ITR-4 (non-audit cases) to 31 August.
This gives proprietors, freelancers, professionals, consultants, partners in non-audit firms, and presumptive taxpayers under Sections 44AD and 44ADA an extra month to close books, reconcile AIS and TIS data, and finalise their returns.
What is the late fee if I miss my due date?
Section 234F levies a fixed late filing fee when the return is filed after the due date:
| Total income | Late fee u/s 234F |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹5,00,000 | ₹1,000 |
| Above ₹5,00,000 | ₹5,000 |
This fee can apply even where no tax is payable, subject to the provisions of the Act. If your income is above the basic exemption limit and you file late, expect the fee to be charged at the time of filing.
How is interest under Section 234A different from the late fee?
These two are often confused, and they work very differently:
| Provision | What it charges | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Section 234F | Fixed fee of ₹1,000 / ₹5,000 | Return filed after the due date |
| Section 234A | Interest at 1% per month or part thereof | Only on unpaid tax, from the original due date until the date of filing |
So if all your taxes are already paid through TDS and advance tax, a late return attracts the 234F fee but no 234A interest. If tax is outstanding, both apply together.
What do I actually lose by filing a belated return?
A belated return under Section 139(4) can be filed up to 31 December 2026, or before completion of assessment, whichever is earlier. But the real cost is not the late fee — it is what you give up:
In addition, belated filers generally cannot opt for the old tax regime. The new regime is the default, and the option to choose the old regime with deductions like 80C, 80D, HRA, and home loan interest under Section 24(b) is tied to filing within the due date.
Worked example
Ramesh trades F&O and made a loss of ₹4.2 lakh in FY 2025-26. His due date (ITR-3, non-audit) is 31 August 2026.
If he files by 31 August 2026: the ₹4.2 lakh loss is carried forward for up to 8 years and can be set off against future business income.
If he files on 15 September 2026: he pays the 234F fee — and the entire ₹4.2 lakh loss lapses. If he earns a ₹4 lakh F&O profit next year, tax applies on the full amount with nothing to set off. A two-week delay can cost far more than ₹5,000.
What if I miss the 31 December belated deadline too?
Two windows remain:
Revised return — 31 March 2027. If you filed on time but discover an error, the revised return window now runs up to 31 March 2027, extended from the earlier December cut-off.
Updated return (ITR-U) — up to 48 months. Under Section 139(8A), an updated return can be filed within 48 months from the end of the assessment year, subject to conditions and payment of additional tax. For AY 2026-27, that window runs to 31 March 2031. ITR-U comes at a meaningful extra cost, so it is a last resort, not a plan.
Compliance checklist before you file
- Confirm your correct ITR form first — your form decides your deadline (July vs August)
- Collect Form 16, Form 26AS, AIS and TIS, and reconcile TDS entries
- Verify capital gains and broker statements against AIS before submitting
- If you have business or F&O losses, file within the original due date to protect carry-forward
- Decide your regime (old vs new) before the due date — the choice narrows once you are late
- Pay any self-assessment tax before filing to stop 234A interest from running
- E-verify within 30 days of filing — an unverified return is treated as not filed
FAQs on ITR due dates for AY 2026-27
Is the 31 August 2026 deadline an extension?
No. It is the standard due date for non-audit ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers from AY 2026-27 onwards, made permanent by the Finance Act 2026.
I file ITR-4 under Section 44AD. Which deadline applies to me?
31 August 2026, provided you are not liable for tax audit. Presumptive taxpayers under 44AD and 44ADA fall in the non-audit ITR-3/ITR-4 category.
Do I need to file if my income is below the taxable limit?
Filing may still be worthwhile — for claiming TDS refunds, carrying forward losses, and for loan or visa documentation. Certain high-value transactions also make filing mandatory even below the exemption limit.
Will the AY 2026-27 return be filed under the new Income Tax Act, 2025?
No. AY 2026-27 covers income earned in FY 2025-26, which remains governed by the Income Tax Act, 1961. This is the last filing season under the 1961 Act — returns for income earned from April 2026 onwards will fall under the new Act.
What happens if I file on time but forget to e-verify?
The return must be e-verified within 30 days. If not verified in time, it can be treated as invalid — which means the consequences of non-filing, including loss of carry-forward benefits.
File before your deadline — and keep your losses.
efiletax handles ITR-1 to ITR-4 filings, loss carry-forward planning, and regime selection.
Call 9696 160160 or visit efiletax.in