Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Income Tax Department Reminds Businesses of August 31 ITR Deadline
The Income Tax Department is reminding some taxpayers to file their returns by August 31, 2026.
This deadline is for people and organizations earning money from a business or profession when their accounts do not need an audit.
Different taxpayers must use different income tax forms.
More than 2 crore returns using ITR-3 and ITR-4 had been filed by August 20.
Overall, more than 6.5 crore returns had been filed for the assessment year.
The simpler ITR-1 and ITR-2 forms had already reached more than 5.9 crore filings by July 31.
People who needed those forms had a July 31 deadline without penalty and interest.
Filing the correct form on time helps taxpayers avoid problems.
The August 31, 2026 deadline applies to taxpayers with business or professional income whose accounts do not require an audit.
Eligible taxpayers can file ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5 or ITR-7 for Assessment Year 2026-27.
More than 2 crore ITR-3 and ITR-4 returns had been filed by August 20.
Total ITR filings for AY 2026-27 had exceeded 6.5 crore by August 20, including more than 5.9 crore ITR-1 and ITR-2 filings by July 31.
ITR-1 and ITR-2 taxpayers who missed the July 31 deadline may face applicable penalties and interest.
- Who
- Taxpayers with business or professional income who are not required to have their accounts audited.
- What
- The Income Tax Department reminded eligible taxpayers to file their AY 2026-27 income tax returns by August 31, 2026.
- When
- The filing deadline is August 31, 2026; the figures cited were recorded by August 20.
- Where
- On India’s income-tax e-filing portal, with the reminder posted on X.
- Why
- To remind eligible taxpayers to submit their returns by the applicable deadline.
- Deadline
- August 31, 2026
- Assessment year
- 2026-27
- Eligible taxpayers
- Those with business or professional income whose accounts do not require an audit
- Forms listed
- ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5 and ITR-7
- Filings by August 20
- More than 2 crore ITR-3 and ITR-4 returns; over 6.5 crore total AY 2026-27 returns
- Earlier deadline
- July 31, 2026, for ITR-1 and ITR-2 taxpayers not requiring an audit
- ITR-1 eligibility
- Resident individuals with annual income up to ₹50 lakh, salary income, one house property and agricultural income up to ₹5,000