ITR Due Dates for AY 2026-27: The July 31 deadline applied mainly to salaried individuals and other non-audit taxpayers. A revised filing calendar now gives business taxpayers, audited entities and transfer pricing cases different deadlines.
The July 31 deadline for filing income tax returns for Assessment Year 2026-27 has passed, but the filing season is not over for every taxpayer.
A revised return-filing calendar introduced under the Finance Act, 2026 sets different due dates based on the nature of a taxpayer’s income, audit requirements and the applicability of transfer pricing rules. This means taxpayers must first identify the category they fall under before deciding whether their filing deadline has already passed.
For some business owners and professionals, the next important date is August 31, 2026. Taxpayers whose accounts require an audit have until October 31, while those covered by transfer pricing provisions get time until November 30.
ITR Due Dates: July 31 applied mainly to non-audit taxpayers
The July 31, 2026 deadline covered individuals, Hindu Undivided Families and other taxpayers who are not required to have their accounts audited.
This group broadly includes most salaried employees, pensioners and taxpayers who do not have business or professional income qualifying for a later filing date.
Taxpayers in this category who missed the deadline can still submit a belated return. However, filing after the due date can lead to a late filing fee under Section 234F, interest on unpaid tax and delays in processing any refund. Restrictions may also apply to the carry-forward of certain losses.
August 31 deadline for non-audit business and professional taxpayers
One of the key changes for AY 2026-27 is the introduction of a separate August 31 deadline for taxpayers earning income from a business or profession whose accounts are not required to undergo a tax audit.
This category includes eligible businesses and professionals using presumptive taxation schemes under Sections 44AD, 44ADA and 44AE, provided they are not liable for an audit.
Depending on their income and eligibility, these taxpayers generally file their returns using ITR-3 or ITR-4. The due date for filing ITR-4 for AY 2026-27 is August 31, 2026.
The separate deadline gives non-audit business taxpayers an additional month compared with most salaried taxpayers. However, they should not assume that every person with business income automatically qualifies for the August deadline. Audit liability remains a key factor in determining the correct filing date.
Audited taxpayers have until October 31
Taxpayers whose accounts must be audited under the Income-tax Act or another applicable law are required to file their returns by October 31, 2026.
This category typically covers businesses and professionals falling within the tax audit provisions. The October deadline applies to the filing of the income tax return, while taxpayers must also ensure that any separate audit-related compliance requirements applicable to them are completed correctly.
Businesses should confirm their audit status before filing. Choosing a deadline based only on the type of income, without considering turnover, professional receipts or other audit conditions, could result in an incorrect assessment of the due date.
November 30 deadline for transfer pricing cases
The longest regular filing window is available to taxpayers required to submit a report under transfer pricing provisions.
Such cases may involve specified domestic transactions or international transactions. Their income tax return for AY 2026-27 must be filed by November 30, 2026.
Transfer pricing cases generally involve additional reporting and documentation, which is why they have a later filing deadline than other audited taxpayers.
ITR filing calendar for AY 2026-27
| Taxpayer category | Return filing deadline |
|---|---|
| Individuals, HUFs and other non-audit taxpayers, including most salaried taxpayers | July 31, 2026 |
| Business and professional taxpayers not liable for tax audit | August 31, 2026 |
| Taxpayers whose accounts are required to be audited | October 31, 2026 |
| Taxpayers covered by transfer pricing provisions | November 30, 2026 |
What happens when the applicable deadline is missed?
A taxpayer who misses the due date for their category can file a belated return under Section 139(4) until December 31, 2026, or before the completion of assessment, whichever happens earlier.
A belated return still allows the taxpayer to complete the filing process, but it may come with financial and procedural consequences. These can include a late filing fee, interest on outstanding tax, slower refund processing and limits on carrying forward certain losses.
Taxpayers should therefore avoid treating the belated-return window as an extension of the regular deadline.
More time available for revised and updated returns
The deadline for filing a revised return for AY 2026-27 has been extended to March 31, 2027. This provides additional time to correct mistakes or omissions in a return that has already been filed.
The time limit for filing an updated return, commonly known as ITR-U, has also been increased from 24 months to 48 months. Updated returns remain subject to prescribed conditions and the payment of additional tax.
A revised return and an updated return serve different purposes. Taxpayers should choose the appropriate route based on when the error is discovered and whether the conditions for filing that return are met.
Checks to complete before submitting the return
Before filing, taxpayers should compare the income reported in their return with Form 26AS, the Annual Information Statement and the Taxpayer Information Summary.
Any outstanding self-assessment tax should be paid before submission. The return must also be e-verified after filing to complete the process.
These checks can reduce the risk of mismatches, refund delays and avoidable compliance notices.
For AY 2026-27, the most important step is identifying the correct taxpayer category. The filing deadline is no longer determined by a single date for everyone. Business income, audit liability and transfer pricing requirements now decide whether the applicable deadline is July 31, August 31, October 31 or November 30.
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