Archive · 20 Jul 2026
ITR Deadline Approaches: Who Must File by July 31?
The deadline for filing income tax returns for the Assessment Year 2026-27 is approaching.
Most taxpayers, including salaried individuals and pensioners, must file by July 31.
Those with business income or requiring an audit have later deadlines.
Missing the deadline can result in fees and interest charges.
The Income Tax Department has received 2.77 crore returns for AY 2026-27 so far.
The deadline for filing ITR-1 and ITR-2 is July 31.
Taxpayers with business income or requiring an audit have deadlines of August 31 or October 31.
Late filing incurs a fee under Section 234F: Rs 1,000 or Rs 5,000 depending on income.
Interest is charged at 1% per month for unpaid tax under Section 234A.
2.77 crore returns have been filed for AY 2026-27.
- Who
- Taxpayers in India
- What
- Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline
- When
- July 31 for ITR-1 and ITR-2, August 31 for business income without audit, October 31 for audited accounts
- Where
- India
- Why
- To comply with the Income Tax Act, 1961 and avoid penalties
Taxpayers with July 31 Deadline
Taxpayers with Later Deadlines
Filing Deadline
Taxpayers with July 31 Deadline
Taxpayers using ITR-1 or ITR-2 must file by July 31.
Taxpayers with Later Deadlines
Taxpayers with business income or requiring an audit have deadlines of August 31 or October 31.
Penalties for Late Filing
Taxpayers with July 31 Deadline
Late filing incurs a fee under Section 234F: Rs 1,000 or Rs 5,000 depending on income.
Taxpayers with Later Deadlines
No penalties for missing the July 31 deadline if the correct deadline is later.
- Deadline for ITR-1 and ITR-2
- July 31
- Deadline for Business Income (No Audit)
- August 31
- Deadline for Audited Accounts
- October 31
- Late Filing Fee (Income ≤ Rs 5 lakh)
- Rs 1,000
- Late Filing Fee (Income > Rs 5 lakh)
- Rs 5,000
- Interest on Unpaid Tax
- 1% per month under Section 234A
- Returns Filed for AY 2026-27
- 2.77 crore
- Returns Filed for AY 2025-26
- 6.97 crore