Every July, the same scramble plays out — millions of salaried taxpayers realize the ITR deadline is close, aren't sure which form applies to them, and can't decide whether the old or new tax regime saves more money. None of it needs to be stressful. This guide covers the actual dates for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), how to pick the right ITR form in under a minute, a clear regime comparison, and what to do if you're cutting it close.
ITR filing deadlines for AY 2026-27, at a glance
| Taxpayer category | ITR form | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried individuals, pensioners | ITR-1 (Sahaj) / ITR-2 | 31 July 2026 |
| Business/professional, no audit required | ITR-3 / ITR-4 (Sugam) | 31 August 2026 |
| Taxpayers requiring audit | ITR-3 / ITR-5 / ITR-6 | 31 October 2026 |
| Transfer pricing report cases | ITR-6 (with Form 3CEB) | 30 November 2026 |
| Belated return (if you miss the deadline) | Any applicable form | 31 December 2026 |
| Revised return (correcting errors) | Any applicable form | 31 March 2027 |
This is effectively the last filing season governed entirely by the familiar Income Tax Act, 1961 — the new Income Tax Act, 2025 takes effect from April 1, 2026, but since AY 2026-27 covers income earned in FY 2025-26 (before that date), your return this year still follows the rules you already know.
Which ITR form should you file?
Picking the wrong form is one of the most common reasons a return gets flagged or delayed. Here's how the main forms split by taxpayer type:
Getting the form right matters beyond just avoiding rejection — filing under the wrong form's schedules can mean missing a deduction you were eligible for, or triggering a defective-return notice that delays your refund while you refile correctly.
Old regime or new regime — which one saves you more?
Since FY 2023-24, the new tax regime has been the default, but "default" doesn't mean "always cheaper." The two systems trade rates for deductions in opposite directions:
| New Regime | Old Regime | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deduction | ₹75,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Basic exemption limit | ₹3,00,000 | ₹2,50,000 (below 60) |
| Section 87A rebate ceiling | Taxable income up to ₹7,00,000 | Taxable income up to ₹5,00,000 |
| HRA, 80C, 80D deductions | Not available | Available (80C capped at ₹1,50,000) |
| Slab rates | Lower, spread across more slabs | Higher, fewer slabs |
| Best suited for | Few deductions, simpler filing | High HRA, home loan, or 80C/80D claims |
The only reliable way to know which is cheaper for you is running your actual income and deductions through both calculations — a rough rule of thumb isn't precise enough once real numbers like a home loan or an 80C-maxed EPF contribution enter the picture.
How to file your ITR online (step-by-step)
- Gather your documents. Form 16 from your employer, Form 26AS/AIS for TDS reconciliation, bank statements, and proof of any deductions you're claiming (80C investment receipts, insurance premium receipts, home loan interest certificate).
- Choose your regime and form. Use a calculator to compare old vs new regime on your real numbers, and confirm the correct ITR form for your income type.
- Log in to the e-filing portal. Use your PAN as the user ID on the Income Tax Department's official e-filing website.
- Fill in and validate the return. Most fields pre-fill from Form 26AS and AIS — cross-check these against your actual documents before submitting, since pre-filled data isn't always complete or current.
- E-verify within 30 days. Filing isn't complete until you e-verify, typically via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or a bank account EVC — an unverified return is treated as not filed at all.
What happens if you miss the deadline
Missing July 31 doesn't mean you've lost the ability to file — but it does cost you, per the rules published by the Income Tax Department:
- Late fee under Section 234F. Up to ₹5,000 if total income exceeds the basic exemption limit, reduced to ₹1,000 for income up to ₹5 lakh.
- Interest under Section 234A. 1% per month (or part of a month) on any unpaid tax amount, calculated from the original due date.
- Delayed refund. If tax was over-deducted through TDS, filing late pushes back when that refund actually arrives.
- Belated return deadline. You can still file up to December 31, 2026 as a belated return, just with the late fee and interest applied.
- Visa and loan applications. ITR copies are commonly required for visa processing and loan approvals — a late-filed or missing return can complicate both.
If you've already filed but spot an error afterward — a missed deduction, an incorrect bank account, or wrong income details — a revised return can be filed up to March 31, 2027 for this assessment year, a notably extended window compared to the December 31 cutoff used in earlier years.
Common mistakes that delay processing
- TDS mismatch with Form 26AS. Claiming a TDS credit that doesn't match what's reflected in Form 26AS or the AIS is one of the most common reasons a return gets flagged for review — reconcile these numbers before submitting.
- Filing under the wrong ITR form. Using ITR-1 when you have capital gains, or more than two house properties, results in a defective return notice and a forced refile.
- Forgetting to e-verify. A return that's filed but never e-verified within 30 days is treated as though it was never submitted at all.
- Choosing a regime without comparing. Defaulting to the new regime simply because it's automatic, without checking whether your HRA and 80C claims would save more under the old regime, is a common way to overpay.
- Not reporting all income sources. Interest from savings accounts, fixed deposits, and any freelance income need to be declared even when TDS has already been deducted at source.
What's new for AY 2026-27
A few changes are worth knowing before you start filling in the form:
- ITR-1 now allows up to two house properties. Previously restricted to one, this change lets more salaried taxpayers with a second property use the simpler Sahaj form instead of stepping up to ITR-2.
- Staggered deadlines by form type, not a single date for everyone. Non-audit business and professional taxpayers (ITR-3/ITR-4) get an extra month over salaried filers this year — a deliberate change to ease the compliance load during the busiest filing weeks.
- Extended revised-return window. The deadline to file a revised return has moved from December 31 to March 31 of the following year, giving taxpayers a longer runway to correct mistakes without penalty.
- Last season under the 1961 Act. The Income Tax Act, 2025 takes over from April 1, 2026, but since this return covers income earned before that date, every rule, section number, and form structure you're used to still applies for this filing.
Advance tax and TDS — how they connect to this filing
For most salaried employees, the bulk of annual tax is already deducted through TDS by the employer each month, based on the regime declared at the start of the year. Filing the ITR at year-end is largely a reconciliation exercise — confirming that what was deducted matches what was actually owed, and claiming a refund for any excess, or paying the shortfall if TDS fell short of the final liability.
Anyone with income outside a single salaried source — freelance work, rental income, capital gains, or interest income where TDS wasn't fully deducted — may also be liable for advance tax, payable in quarterly installments through the year rather than settled entirely at filing time. Interest under Section 234B and 234C can apply for underpaid advance tax, separate from the 234A interest that applies specifically to late filing of the return itself. Keeping this distinction in mind avoids confusion between the different interest sections that can show up in a tax notice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ITR filing last date for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)?
July 31, 2026 for salaried individuals and other non-audit taxpayers filing ITR-1 or ITR-2. Non-audit business and professional taxpayers filing ITR-3 or ITR-4 have until August 31, 2026. Taxpayers requiring an audit have until October 31, 2026, and those with transfer pricing reports until November 30, 2026.
Which ITR form should I file?
ITR-1 (Sahaj) suits salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh and up to two house properties. ITR-2 covers capital gains, foreign assets, or more than two properties. ITR-3 is for business or professional income under regular taxation, and ITR-4 (Sugam) is for presumptive taxation within prescribed turnover limits.
Should I choose the old or new tax regime?
The new regime generally suits taxpayers with few deductions, since it offers lower slab rates on a wider income base. The old regime tends to work out better for those with significant HRA, Section 80C, or 80D claims. Comparing both using an income tax calculator on your actual numbers is the most reliable way to decide.
What happens if I miss the ITR filing deadline?
You can still file a belated return, generally up to December 31, 2026, but you'll pay a late fee under Section 234A/234F (up to ₹5,000 depending on income level) plus 1% monthly interest on any unpaid tax. Missing the deadline can also delay refunds and affect visa processing that requires ITR copies.
Can I revise my ITR after filing?
Yes. If you spot an error after filing — a missed deduction or wrong bank detail — you can file a revised return up to March 31, 2027 for AY 2026-27, an extended window compared to previous years.
Is filing ITR compulsory if my income is below the exemption limit?
Not strictly mandatory, but it's often recommended even below the exemption limit — for instance, to claim a TDS refund, to build an income record for a future loan or visa application, or to carry forward certain losses for future years.
Can I switch tax regimes every year?
Salaried individuals without business income can generally choose a fresh regime each financial year at the time of filing. Those with business or professional income face more restricted switching rules, so it's worth checking eligibility if that applies to you.
Quick recap
The core numbers to remember: July 31, 2026 for salaried ITR-1/ITR-2 filers, August 31 for non-audit ITR-3/ITR-4 filers, and October 31 for audit cases. Pick the ITR form that actually matches your income type rather than defaulting to the simplest one, run your real numbers through both tax regimes before assuming the new regime's default status makes it automatically cheaper, and e-verify within 30 days of submitting — an unverified return doesn't count as filed. With two weeks still on the clock for most salaried filers, there's time to do this properly rather than rushing it on the last day. For anything specific to your situation, the official e-Filing portal remains the authoritative source.