The Income Tax Department of India has announced the revised filing deadlines for Assessment Year 2026-27 [1], [2].
These dates establish the critical timeline for millions of taxpayers to report their income from the 2025-26 financial year. Failure to meet these deadlines can result in penalties and legal complications for both individuals and corporate entities.
Salaried individuals using ITR-1 or ITR-2 forms must submit their filings by July 31, 2026 [1]. The department has already notified all ITR forms, ranging from ITR-1 to ITR-7, for the current assessment cycle, the Income Tax Department said [2].
Taxpayers with business or professional income, who typically use ITR-3 or ITR-4 forms, have a longer window and must file by August 31, 2026 [1]. This extension is intended to align compliance timelines with the specific nature of business income, and the requirements of auditing [1].
"While most salaried individuals must file their returns by July 31, 2026, taxpayers with business income have until August 31, 2026," a Moneycontrol editorial said [1].
For those who need to correct errors or update their filings, the window remains open for a significant period. The deadline for filing a revised return has been set for March 31, 2027 [2].
"The revised return deadline has been extended to March 31, 2027," a Financial Express reporter said [2].
“Salaried individuals must file by July 31, 2026.”
The tiered deadline system acknowledges the administrative complexity of business accounting compared to salaried income. By providing a full month of additional time for professionals and business owners, the government aims to reduce filing errors and ensure that audit requirements are met before the final submission.
