ITR Filing Last Date 2026: With just one day left before the July 31 ITR filing deadline, lakhs of taxpayers are rushing to file their income tax returns (ITRs) for the assessment year 2026-27. At the same
time, speculation is growing over whether the government will extend the deadline.
In the past, the Centre has extended ITR due dates in some assessment years. But in the past few years, the income tax department has become reluctant long extensions beyond the due date.
Will ITR Filing Deadline Be Extended This Year?
As of now, there is no official announcement from the income tax department extending the July 31 deadline. However, any notification or announcement regarding the deadline extension will be made only in the evening on July 31, if any.
Also, experts say deadline extensions are not automatic. Whenever the government has granted additional time, it has been because of specific reasons such as the COVID-19 pandemic, major changes in ITR forms, delays in the release of filing utilities or widespread technical issues on the e-filing portal.
“Unless the government issues a formal notification, taxpayers should consider July 31 as the final deadline applicable to them,” said Aman Sharma, a Delhi-based tax practitioner.
ITR Deadline Extension History: What Happened In Previous Years?
COVID-19 led to multiple extensions in AY 2021-22: The government extended the ITR filing deadline more than once as taxpayers and tax professionals faced disruptions due to the pandemic. Deadlines for audit reports were also pushed back to ease compliance.
Relief was limited to audit cases in AY 2022-23: The due date for taxpayers requiring a tax audit was extended after many taxpayers and professionals reported technical issues while filing returns and audit reports. However, there was no blanket extension for everyone.
No extension was announced in AY 2023-24: Despite expectations in the final days before the deadline, the government did not extend the ITR filing due date. Taxpayers had to file their returns within the original timeline.
Audit filings got more time in AY 2024-25: The government extended the deadlines for audit reports and audit-linked ITRs. Taxpayers filing belated returns also received additional time to complete compliance.
Changes in ITR forms triggered extension in AY 2025-26: Last year, the government first extended the deadline after introducing several changes in ITR forms and reporting requirements, which delayed the release of filing utilities. Later, another one-day extension was granted after taxpayers faced technical glitches on the income tax e-filing portal.
What Does This Mean For AY 2026-27?
It means there is no fixed rule that the ITR filing deadline will be extended every year. Currently, no such extension has been notified so far. Therefore, taxpayers whose due date is July 31 should not postpone filing in the hope of receiving more time.
Who Must File ITR By July 31?
Taxpayers eligible to file ITR-1 and ITR-2 are required to submit their income tax returns by July 31. This category generally includes salaried individuals and those with capital gains or losses.
Resident individuals with long-term capital gains (LTCG) of up to Rs 1.25 lakh, along with salary income, can file ITR-1. However, those with LTCG exceeding Rs 1.25 lakh or taxable short-term capital gains generally need to file ITR-2, provided they do not have business income.
Who Can File Their ITR By August 31?
Taxpayers with business or professional income that is not subject to tax audit have until August 31 to file their returns. Depending on the nature of income and eligibility, they are required to file either ITR-3 or ITR-4.
Meanwhile, taxpayers whose accounts are required to be audited have until October 31 to file their income tax returns. The tax audit deadline is September 30.
ITR-3: This is for individuals and HUFs earning income from business or profession (such as proprietors, freelancers, consultants or F&O traders) who are not eligible to file ITR-1, ITR-2 or ITR-4.
ITR-4 (Sugam): For resident individuals, HUFs and firms (other than LLPs) with total income up to Rs 50 lakh opting for the presumptive taxation scheme under Sections 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE.
What Happens If You Miss The July 31 Deadline?
Taxpayers with business or professional income need not worry if they do not file their income tax returns by July 31, as this is not their statutory deadline. They have time till August 31 (for non-audit cases) or October 31 (for cases requiring a tax audit) to file their returns without attracting late-filing consequences.
However, for taxpayers required to file ITR-1 or ITR-2, missing the July 31 deadline can result in several consequences, including a late filing fee.
Under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act, the late filing fee depends on the taxpayer’s total income:
- Total income up to Rs 5 lakh: Late filing fee of Rs 1,000.
- Total income above Rs 5 lakh: Late filing fee of Rs 5,000.
- Income below the basic exemption limit: No late filing fee is payable.
Apart from the late filing fee, missing the July 31 deadline can have other financial implications:
Interest on unpaid taxes: If you have any outstanding tax liability, interest under Section 234A is charged at 1% per month or part of a month on the unpaid tax amount from the due date until the tax is paid.
Loss carry-forward restriction: Filing the return after the due date generally means you cannot carry forward business losses or capital losses to future years to offset taxable income. Certain exceptions, such as house property losses and unabsorbed depreciation, continue to apply.
Why Waiting Till The Last Day Can Be Risky
Even if you plan to file before midnight on July 31, waiting until the last few hours may not be a good idea.
“Heavy traffic on the e-filing portal can slow down the filing process. In addition, issues such as mismatches in AIS, Form 26AS, TDS details, bank account information or tax payment records may take time to resolve,” Sharma said.
Filing early leaves enough time to correct such errors and complete the verification process smoothly.
So far, 5.02 crore ITRs have been filed for AY 2026-27, according to the latest data available on the income tax portal. Last year, in the full assessment year 2025-26, a total of 6.97 crore ITRs were filed by taxpayers.
