ITR Filing 2026: With just hours left before the July 31 deadline to file income tax return (ITR) for the assessment year (AY) 2026-27, taxpayers are curious to know if the government will extend the ITR deadline for this
year or not. The speculation isn’t new. Almost every year, social media is flooded with posts claiming that the deadline will be extended.
While the income tax department has occasionally provided relief in the past, it has generally done so only under exceptional circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in ITR forms or technical glitches on the e-filing portal.
As of now, the government has not announced any extension of the July 31 deadline for non-audit taxpayers. Unless an official notification is issued before midnight, taxpayers should assume that July 31 remains the last date to file their returns without attracting the consequences applicable to late filing.
Here’s a look at how the ITR filing deadline has evolved over the past five assessment years.
AY 2021-22: COVID-19 Led To Multiple Extensions
This was the only year in recent history when taxpayers received substantial relief. Owing to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the due date for non-audit taxpayers was first extended from July 31 to September 30, 2021, and later to December 31, 2021. Deadlines for tax audits and audit-linked returns were also pushed back.
AY 2022-23: No Relief For Salaried Taxpayers
The government did not extend the July 31 deadline for individuals and other non-audit taxpayers. However, businesses and professionals requiring tax audits received additional time, with the audit report deadline extended to October 7, 2022, and audit-related ITRs allowed to be filed until November 7, 2022.
AY 2023-24: Deadline Stayed Unchanged
Unlike the pandemic years, there was no relaxation for taxpayers. The July 31 due date remained unchanged, and individuals were required to file their returns within the original deadline.
AY 2024-25: Relief Only For Audit Cases
The government once again refrained from extending the July 31 deadline for salaried taxpayers. Relief was limited to taxpayers covered under tax audit provisions. The deadline for furnishing audit reports was extended to October 7, 2024, audit-linked ITRs could be filed till December 15, 2024, while the due date for belated returns was extended to January 15, 2025.
AY 2025-26: Deadline Extended by Just 1 Day Due To ITR Form Changes
Last year, taxpayers did receive an extension. The government initially pushed the due date from July 31 to September 15, 2025, citing revisions in ITR forms and the time required to update the e-filing system. Later, the deadline was extended by one more day to September 16, 2025, after technical issues were reported on the filing portal.
Will The Government Extend The Deadline This Year?
While last year’s extension has fuelled expectations of similar relief this time, there is no official indication from the Income Tax Department or the Ministry of Finance that the deadline will be pushed beyond July 31. Experts also say the extension is unlikely as of now.
CA Suresh Surana said, “The government has not announced any extension of the ITR filing deadline for Assessment Year 2026-27. Accordingly, the applicable due date continues to be 31 July 2026 for taxpayers filing ITR-1 or ITR-2, while certain non-audit taxpayers having business or professional income and filing ITR-3 or ITR-4 have time until 31 August 2026.”
He added that based on the presently available indications, an extension of due date for filing return appears unlikely. The return forms and relevant utilities were made available substantially on schedule, the staggered filing dates have reduced pressure on the portal, and more than 4 crore returns have already been filed. The Income Tax Department has also arranged 24/7 assistance until 31 July, indicating that it presently expects taxpayers to comply with the existing deadline.
“Therefore, taxpayers should not defer filing in anticipation of an extension. Unless the CBDT issues a formal notification, the presently applicable due date should be treated as final,” Surana said.
