Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Income Tax Department Urges Early Filing Before August 31
The Income Tax Department says more than 6.5 crore tax returns have already been filed for the 2026-27 assessment year.
It is asking taxpayers who do not need a tax audit to submit their returns by August 31, 2026.
This includes freelancers, consultants, small business owners and some traders.
Some salaried people with extra business, consulting or trading income may also need to file by this date.
Different types of taxpayers must use different forms, such as ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5 or ITR-7.
The tax-filing website has a “Help me decide” option to assist taxpayers.
After filing, taxpayers must verify their returns electronically within 30 days.
Using the wrong form may cause the department to ask for corrections and could delay refunds.
More than 6.5 crore income tax returns for AY 2026-27 had been filed by August 20, 2026.
Over 2 crore of those filings were ITR-3 and ITR-4 returns.
The August 31, 2026 deadline applies to non-audit taxpayers, including eligible individuals, businesses and entities.
Taxpayers must e-verify their returns within 30 days of filing to avoid the return being treated as invalid.
Choosing the wrong ITR form can lead to a defective-return notice, delayed processing and delayed refunds.
- Who
- The Income Tax Department and taxpayers required to file non-audit returns.
- What
- The department urged eligible taxpayers to file ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5 or ITR-7 before the August 31 deadline.
- When
- The department issued the advice on August 20, 2026; the filing deadline is August 31, 2026.
- Where
- Through the income-tax e-filing portal and a post on X.
- Why
- To help taxpayers avoid a last-minute rush, penalties, loss of benefits and problems caused by incorrect or unverified returns.
- Assessment year
- AY 2026-27
- Returns filed
- More than 6.5 crore as of August 20, 2026
- ITR-3 and ITR-4 filings
- More than 2 crore
- Filing deadline
- August 31, 2026, for specified taxpayers not liable for a tax audit
- E-verification deadline
- Within 30 days of filing
- Relevant forms
- ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5 and ITR-7 for non-audit cases
- Incorrect form consequence
- The return may be treated as defective under Section 139(9), requiring correction