Filing ITR? You need to add one more address!

• New ITR forms for AY 2026–27 introduce mandatory secondary addresses
• Reporting for representative assessees is now simplified with fewer details
• Taxpayers no longer need separate capital gains reporting by date

Taxpayers preparing to file their income tax returns for Assessment Year 2026–27 should take note of several important changes introduced in the newly

notified Income Tax Return (ITR) forms. These updates, applicable for FY 2025–26 will enhance disclosures while also expanding certain reporting requirements. It is important to clarify that these revised forms apply to AY 2026–27 and not the tax year itself. Taxpayers must continue to comply with the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and Income Tax Rules, 1961 while filing returns before the July 31, 2026 deadline for non-audit cases. One of the most notable updates across all ITR forms (ITR-1 to ITR-7) is the introduction of a mandatory field for a secondary address. Previously, taxpayers were only required to provide a single address along with up to two mobile numbers and email IDs. Under the revised format, individuals must now disclose both a primary and secondary address. Additionally, contact details such as phone numbers and email IDs have been clearly categorized as “Primary” and “Secondary.” This change is introduce to improve communication and ensuring better traceability of taxpayers. Simplified Reporting For Representative Assessees The new ITR forms have also eased the compliance burden for cases where returns are filed by a representative assessee. Earlier, detailed information including address, PAN, and Aadhaar of the representative was required. Now, the reporting has been significantly simplified. Taxpayers only need to provide three key details of the representative assessee.

• Name
• Email ID
• Contact number

This will reduce paperwork and make the filing process more efficient for such cases.

Capital Gains Reporting Made Easier

Another key change relates to capital gains disclosure. Previously, taxpayers had to separately report gains earned before and after July 23, 2024, due to changes introduced in tax rates under the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024.

However, this requirement has now been removed in the new forms for AY 2026–27. Since the rate changes applied only during a transitional period in FY 2024–25, separate reporting based on transfer dates is no longer necessary. This simplifies the reporting structure and reduces confusion for taxpayers.