ITR Filing 2026: Important deadlines, penalties and late fees taxpayers must know

ITR Filing Deadline: The Income Tax Return filing season for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is currently underway. The month of July marks significant income tax deadlines for Indian taxpayers. The crucial upcoming deadlines vary by taxpayer category. The important deadline for salaried individuals and pensioners to file their Income Tax Returns (ITR) is July 31, along with numerous other compliance forms.

The deadline of July 31, 2026, is only for salaried individuals, pensioners, and non-business individual investors (including HUFs) whose accounts do not require an audit. This category includes individuals who need to file the ITR-1 (Sahaj) or the ITR-2 form.

Let’s quickly go through the important deadlines, penalties, and late fees that could affect you if you miss the last date to file income tax.

ITR Filing 2026: Important deadlines to note

1. For individuals and HUFs not liable to tax audit and filing ITR-1 or ITR-2 - Due date for filing return is 31 July 2026.

2. For business or professional taxpayers filing ITR-3 or ITR-4 and not liable to tax audit - Due date for filing income tax return is 31 August 2026.

3. For partners of a partnership firm - Due date for income tax return filing is 31 August 2026.

4. For taxpayers liable to tax audit - Due date for income tax return filing is 31 October 2026.

5. For taxpayers covered by transfer pricing provisions - Due date for ITR filing is 30 November 2026.

6. For belated return - Due date for ITR filing is 31 December 2026.

7. For revised return - Due date for income tax return filing is 31 March 2027.

ITR Filing 2026: What happens if you miss July 31 deadline?

As per section 234F, late filing fees of Rs 5000 shall be payable if the return is filed after the due date specified under section 139(1). However, the amount of late ITR filing fees to be paid shall be Rs 1,000 if the total income of the person does not exceed Rs 5 lakh. Rs 5,000 if your total income exceeds Rs 5 lakh.

Taxpayers with a total income exceeding Rs 5 lakh who file their ITR after the due date but before December 31 will have to pay a maximum late filing fee of Rs 5,000. However, for taxpayers with a total income of up to Rs 5 lakh, the late filing fee is capped at Rs 1,000.

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