ITR Filing for AY 2026-27: Overview
ITR filing for Assessment Year 2026-27 (income earned in FY 2025-26) is done online at the income tax e-filing portal: pick the right form among ITR-1 to ITR-4, check your Form 26AS and AIS, choose the tax regime, pay any balance and submit, then e-verify within 30 days.
An Individual ITR is the annual return you file with the Income Tax Department to report your income, claim deductions, and settle tax or collect a refund. LegalDev India's CAs and tax executives prepare the return, check it against your Form 26AS and AIS, and file it for you.
As of 17 October 2026, the original due dates for salaried taxpayers (31 July) and non-audit business and professional filers (31 August) have passed. You can still file a belated return until 31 December 2026, with a late fee. If your accounts need an audit, your due date is 31 October 2026, which is still open.
Belated Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Handled By
CA-Guided Team
Key Takeaways
Salaried and other non-business taxpayers (ITR-1, ITR-2) were due 31 July 2026. Non-audit business and professional filers (ITR-3, ITR-4) were due 31 August 2026. Audit cases are due 31 October 2026.
A belated return can be filed until 31 December 2026. The Section 234F fee is ₹5,000, or ₹1,000 where total income is up to ₹5 lakh, and interest runs at 1% per month on unpaid tax.
The new tax regime is the default. If you file late and have no business income, reports on the rules indicate you lose the option to choose the old regime.
Reconcile Form 26AS, AIS and TIS against your Form 16 and bank records before you file.
For many salaried people the new regime gives zero tax up to ₹12.75 lakh of salary income, but the old regime can still win if you have heavy deductions.
Most notices come from mismatches between your return and your AIS or Form 26AS, not from the return itself being "wrong".
Capital gains, freelance receipts and foreign assets decide your form. Picking ITR-1 when you need ITR-2 is the most common avoidable error.
A return that is filed but not e-verified is treated as not filed. Verify within 30 days.
ITR Filing Due Date AY 2026-27
Deadlines for income earned between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, as reported after the Finance Act, 2026 and the filing season so far. The calendar depends on who you are, so check the row that fits you:
| Who |
Original Due Date |
Status on 17 Oct 2026 |
| Salaried individuals, pensioners, other non-business taxpayers (ITR-1, ITR-2) |
31 July 2026 |
Passed; no extension was notified |
| Business or professional income without audit (ITR-3, ITR-4) |
31 August 2026 |
Passed |
| Taxpayers whose accounts require audit |
31 October 2026 |
Open |
| Taxpayers covered by transfer pricing rules |
30 November 2026 |
Open |
| Belated return (anyone who missed their date) |
31 December 2026 |
Open, with fee |
| Revised return (correcting an already-filed return) |
31 March 2027 (per Finance Act 2026 reports) |
Open |
| Updated return (ITR-U), missed or wrong return, with extra tax |
31 March 2031 |
Open, with extra tax |
The 31 August date for ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers is a change brought in by the Finance Act, 2026, which also pushed the revised-return window to 31 March 2027. Some websites still show 31 December for revised returns, so confirm the date on the Income Tax Department site before you rely on it. The department can also notify changes during the year.
Returns for FY 2025-26 are still governed by the Income-tax Act, 1961 (Sections 139, 234A and 234F, for example). The Income-tax Act, 2025 took effect on 1 April 2026 and renumbers these provisions for later years, so expect different section numbers on next year's page.
Penalty for Late ITR Filing (Section 234F)
Missing the due date triggers two separate charges:
| Charge |
Amount |
Applies When |
| Late filing fee, Section 234F |
₹5,000 |
Total income above ₹5 lakh |
| Late filing fee, Section 234F |
₹1,000 |
Total income up to ₹5 lakh |
| Interest, Section 234A |
1% per month or part month |
On tax still unpaid after the due date |
Interest accrues only on tax you owe after TDS and advance tax. A salaried person whose TDS already covers the full liability pays the fee but no 234A interest.
Example: You owe ₹10,000 beyond TDS and file in October, three months past a 31 July due date. Interest is ₹10,000 × 1% × 3 = ₹300, plus the ₹5,000 fee.
Hidden cost: A belated return generally forfeits the carry-forward of most losses, such as capital losses and business losses, to future years. House property loss is the exception. If you hold unrealised losses you want to set off later, treat the due date as a hard one.
New Tax Regime vs Old Tax Regime
The new regime is the default for FY 2025-26. You can choose the old one if you file on time. The new regime offers lower slab rates and almost no deductions. The old regime keeps higher rates but lets you subtract things like 80C investments, HRA and home loan interest. Think of it as a flat discount versus an itemized bill.
| Point |
New Regime (Default) |
Old Regime |
| Basic structure |
Slabs from 0 to 30%, nil tax up to ₹4 lakh |
Slabs from 5% to 30%, exemption up to ₹2.5 lakh |
| Standard deduction (salaried) |
₹75,000 |
₹50,000 |
| Rebate under Section 87A |
Tax nil for total income up to ₹12 lakh |
Tax nil for total income up to ₹5 lakh |
| 80C, 80D, HRA, home loan interest (self-occupied) |
Not available |
Available |
| Employer NPS (80CCD(2)) |
Available (up to 14% of basic salary) |
Available |
| Best for |
People with few deductions |
People claiming many deductions |
New-Regime Slabs for FY 2025-26
| Income Slab | Tax Rate |
|---|
| Up to ₹4 lakh | Nil |
| ₹4 – 8 lakh | 5% |
| ₹8 – 12 lakh | 10% |
| ₹12 – 16 lakh | 15% |
| ₹16 – 20 lakh | 20% |
| ₹20 – 24 lakh | 25% |
| Above ₹24 lakh | 30% |
The standard deduction is ₹75,000 and the Section 87A rebate wipes out tax for taxable income up to ₹12 lakh. That is how a salaried person with ₹12.75 lakh of salary pays nothing. The rebate does not apply to special-rate income such as short-term gains on listed shares.
Quick Manual Comparison: ₹15 Lakh Salary
New regime
Taxable income after ₹75,000 standard deduction: ₹14.25 lakh
Tax: ₹93,750 + 4% cess
₹97,500
Old regime
₹50,000 standard deduction, ₹1.5 lakh 80C, ₹25,000 80D, ₹2 lakh home loan interest, ₹1 lakh HRA. Taxable income: ₹9.75 lakh
Tax: ₹1,07,500 + 4% cess
₹1,11,800
The new regime wins here by about ₹14,000. Change the assumptions, such as higher home loan interest and 80C, and the answer can flip. These figures are an illustration with assumptions, not your result, so run your own numbers or use the calculator on the official portal.
Second example, HRA left out: On the same ₹15 lakh salary, take the ₹50,000 standard deduction, ₹1.5 lakh under 80C, ₹25,000 under 80D, ₹50,000 under 80CCD(1B) and ₹2 lakh home loan interest. Taxable income is ₹10.25 lakh, tax is ₹1,20,000, and with cess about ₹1,24,800. Even with ₹4.25 lakh of deductions, the new regime (about ₹97,500) still wins. The old regime tends to pay off only when deductions plus HRA are large relative to income. We run both calculations for every client and show you the numbers.
Switching rule: If you have no business income, you can pick a regime afresh every year, but the choice has to be made in a return filed on or before the due date. If you file belated, you default to the new regime, according to published commentary on the rules. Taxpayers with business income can switch back to the old regime only once in a lifetime, under a separate form.
Deductions Under Chapter VI-A That Still Matter (Old Regime)
These deductions are available only if you choose the old regime:
| Section |
What It Covers |
Limit |
| 80C |
PPF, ELSS, EPF, life insurance, tuition fees, 5-year tax-saver FD |
₹1.5 lakh |
| 80D |
Health insurance for self, family, parents |
₹25,000 (₹50,000 if senior citizen), separate for parents |
| 80CCD(1B) |
Additional NPS contribution |
₹50,000 |
| 80TTA |
Savings account interest |
₹10,000 |
| 24(b) |
Home loan interest on self-occupied property |
₹2 lakh |
One deduction works in both regimes: the employer's NPS contribution under 80CCD(2), which is allowed up to 14% of basic salary under the new regime. Rules and limits are on the Income Tax Department's official site.
Documents Required for ITR Filing
Gather these before you start. Missing one is the most common reason a return takes days instead of an hour.
PAN, Aadhaar, and a bank account (pre-validated on the portal) for the refund
Form 16 from each employer in FY 2025-26
Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS/TIS) from the portal
Salary slips and, if you claim HRA, rent receipts and your landlord's PAN when annual rent exceeds ₹1 lakh
Interest certificates from banks, post office and FDs
Investment proofs: PPF, ELSS, life insurance, NPS, tuition fee receipts
Health insurance premium receipts and home loan interest certificate
Broker capital gains statement and contract notes, or property sale and purchase deeds
For freelancers: invoices, bank statements, TDS certificates and expense records
Details of foreign assets, if any
For salaried employees, filing with Form 16 is straightforward, but never file from Form 16 alone. It does not show your savings-account interest, a second employer's salary, or share sales.
Before You File: Form 26AS, AIS and TIS
Three statements on the portal show what the department already knows about you. Download them first:
Form 26AS
The tax credit statement. Lists TDS, TCS, advance tax and self-assessment tax paid against your PAN.
AIS
Annual Information Statement. Also lists interest, dividends, securities and mutual fund transactions, property purchases and similar items reported by third parties.
TIS
Taxpayer Information Summary. Condenses the AIS into totals by income head.
Match them against your Form 16, bank interest certificates, rent receipts, capital gains statements from your broker and the proof for each deduction you plan to claim. If AIS shows an entry that is wrong or duplicated, use the feedback option on the portal to flag it.
Do not skip an item just because you think it is small. Income the department can see and your return omits tends to trigger a notice.
Claiming Your Refund Without Trouble
A refund exists only where TDS, TCS or advance tax exceeds your liability. You cannot manufacture one with inflated deductions, and false claims invite scrutiny.
Check that every TDS entry in Form 26AS matches your Form 16 and salary slips
Claim every deduction you are entitled to, with proof in hand
Pre-validate your bank account on the portal and confirm it is linked to your PAN
File early. Refunds follow processing, and processing follows e-verification
If You Run a Business or Freelance
GST and income tax look at the same sales. If you are registered, your turnover in ITR should be consistent with what you reported in GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B. A gap between the two is a common trigger for questions. Our GSTR-1 Return Filing Service keeps the outward-supply side tidy.
Freelancers and consultants crossing the GST turnover threshold for services will also need registration. See GST Registration Online. If you are closing the business, you still owe an ITR for the years it traded, and our GST Cancellation Service covers the GST side of shutting down.
Income Tax Return Filing Online: Step by Step
The portal is at incometax.gov.in. Menu names can shift after updates, so treat the labels below as a guide:
1
Log In
Use your PAN as the user ID and your password. Make sure your PAN is linked to Aadhaar and your mobile number is current.
2
Start the Return
Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return.
3
Select Year, Mode and Status
Choose Assessment Year 2026-27 and Online mode, then select your status (individual, HUF or other).
4
Choose Your ITR Form
If unsure, the portal's guidance can help, but you are responsible for the final pick.
5
Review Pre-Filled Data
Check salary details from Form 16, interest, TDS and taxes paid. Correct anything that does not match your records.
6
Pick Regime and Enter Income
Pick your tax regime, then enter income, deductions and exemptions head by head.
7
Check Tax and Pay or Claim Refund
If tax is due after TDS and advance tax, pay through e-Pay Tax and enter the challan details before you submit. If a refund is due, enter your pre-validated bank account.
8
Preview and Submit
Preview the return, tick the declaration and submit.
9
E-Verify Straight Away
A return counts as filed only after you verify it. You have 30 days from filing.
E-Verification Methods
Aadhaar OTP sent to the mobile linked to your Aadhaar. Quickest for most people.
Net banking. Log in to your bank's portal and get redirected to the e-filing site.
EVC from your bank or demat account, generated through a pre-validated account.
Digital Signature Certificate, mainly used by companies and some professionals.
Signed ITR-V by post to the Centralised Processing Centre in Bengaluru. The slowest route.
After verification the department processes the return and issues an intimation. A refund, if due, goes to your pre-validated bank account.
ITR Filing by Income Type
Salaried employees, freelancers and investors each have their own common pitfalls:
File ITR for Salaried Employees
Salaried filers have the simplest case and the most overlooked errors. Cross-check Form 16 against AIS. Report interest from every savings account, including dormant ones. If you changed jobs mid-year, add both employers' salaries, because the second employer's TDS often assumed you earned nothing elsewhere. Pick your regime in the return itself; salaried individuals can switch regimes each year.
Freelancer Tax Filing in India
Freelancers, consultants and creators usually file ITR-4 under Section 44ADA, where 50% of gross receipts is treated as profit. This works for eligible professions with receipts up to ₹50 lakh (₹75 lakh if cash receipts stay within 5%). Choose ITR-3 instead if your real profit is below 50% and you maintain books, or if your profession falls outside Section 44ADA.
Two things catch freelancers off guard. Foreign-currency receipts need a conversion basis and, for export income, FIRC or bank certificates. And advance tax: if your total tax liability exceeds ₹10,000, interest under Sections 234B and 234C applies when installments were missed. Presumptive filers pay in one installment by 15 March.
Capital Gains Tax Filing: Shares, Mutual Funds, Property
Gains are taxed by asset type and holding period. For FY 2025-26, gains on sales after 23 July 2024 follow these rates:
| Asset |
Holding Period |
Tax Treatment |
| Listed equity and equity funds |
Over 12 months |
Long-term gain taxed at 12.5% on gains above ₹1.25 lakh in the year |
| Listed equity and equity funds |
12 months or less |
20% flat |
| Property and most unlisted assets |
Over 24 months |
12.5% without indexation. Resident individuals who bought property before 23 July 2024 can choose 20% with indexation, whichever is lower |
You can offset losses and claim exemptions under Sections 54 and 54F by reinvesting in a house or, for Section 54EC, in specified bonds within six months. These reliefs have strict timelines and must be reported correctly. Our capital gains tax filing service reconciles your broker P&L against AIS, which is where most mismatches start.
Notices and Refunds: What Actually Triggers Them
Notices usually trace to a mismatch. Common triggers: interest or dividend in AIS that you left out, a high-value transaction reported by a bank or registrar, deductions claimed without proof, or TDS credit that does not match Form 26AS. If you receive one, do not ignore the deadline printed on it. Our team prepares responses through tax notice reply support.
For refunds, the return is processed only after e-verification. File, then verify via Aadhaar OTP, net banking or a demat account within 30 days. Make sure the refund bank account is pre-validated, because an unvalidated account is the most frequent reason a refund stalls. Refunds carry interest under Section 244A, at 0.5% per month.
How Expert-Assisted ITR Filing Works at LegalDev India
Five simple steps from documents to acknowledgement:
1
Share Documents
Upload through a secure link, or share just your PAN and let us pull AIS with your consent.
2
Review
A tax professional chooses the form, compares both regimes and flags mismatches.
3
Approval
You see the computation and final tax or refund before anything is filed.
4
File and Verify
We submit the return and guide you through e-verification.
5
Acknowledgement
You get the ITR-V and computation sheet for your records.
Pricing
Pricing depends on your form, not on how long we take. The final quote is confirmed before you pay, with no hidden add-ons.
| Plan |
Best For |
Price |
| Salaried (ITR-1) |
One employer, simple income |
₹ [INSERT PRICE] |
| Salaried plus capital gains (ITR-2) |
Shares, mutual funds, property sales |
₹ [INSERT PRICE] |
| Freelancer / professional (ITR-3 / ITR-4) |
Presumptive or books-based income |
₹ [INSERT PRICE] |
| Notice reply or revised return |
Existing filings needing correction |
Quoted after review |
See the full pricing page for what each plan includes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? Find clear answers from our tax advisory team:
It depends on who you are: 31 July 2026 for salaried and non-business filers, 31 August 2026 for non-audit business and professional filers, 31 October 2026 for audit cases. Belated returns are accepted until 31 December 2026.
No. File a belated return under Section 139(4) by 31 December 2026. You will pay the Section 234F fee and any 234A interest, and you may lose the old-regime choice and loss carry-forward.
No. It is ₹1,000 if your total income is up to ₹5 lakh, and ₹5,000 otherwise.
Yes. File a revised return under Section 139(5). Reports on the Finance Act, 2026 put the window at 31 March 2027, provided the original return was filed in time or as a belated return, but confirm on the portal.
The return is treated as not filed, so the filing is not legally valid until you verify it. If the 30 days have passed, you may need to file a condonation request, or file a belated return if the due date has also lapsed.
Compare both with your real numbers. People with large home loan interest, HRA and 80C usually find the old regime competitive, while others find the new regime cheaper. With little investment or loan interest, the new regime usually wins. We compare both before filing.
Not always, but some people must file regardless, for example if they hold foreign assets, deposited large sums in a bank (such as over ₹1 crore in current accounts), or crossed certain spending or TDS thresholds. Check the rules for your case. Filing anyway is useful for loans, visas and refund claims.
Salaried individuals and others with no business income can choose each year. Taxpayers with business income can switch back to the old regime only once after opting out.
Use Form 16 for salary and TDS, then add other income from AIS: bank interest, dividends, capital gains and a second employer's salary.
Typically a few weeks after e-verification, though timing varies with processing and bank validation. Verify within 30 days of filing.
ITR-4 if you use presumptive taxation under 44ADA and are eligible; ITR-3 if you maintain books or your profit is lower than 50% of receipts.
Long-term listed equity gains above ₹1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%, and short-term gains at 20%, for sales made after 23 July 2024.