Belated vs Updated Return: Filing After July 31 Deadline

If you miss the July 31 deadline for filing your income tax return, you can still file a belated return until December 31, 2026, but you have to pay a late fee.

The fee is ₹1,000 if you earn up to ₹5 lakh, and ₹5,000 if you earn more.

You can also change the belated return later, up to March 31, 2026.

If you miss even the belated deadline, you can file an updated return, called ITR‑U, within four years of the end of the tax year.

But the updated return can’t give you a bigger refund or reduce your tax.

It’s a way to keep your taxes in order even if you’re late.