The return relates to income earned during Financial Year 2025-26. The Income Tax Department has been reminding taxpayers to complete their filings and has kept its e-filing support lines operational round the clock until 11:59 pm on August 31.
Who has to file by August 31?
The August 31 deadline applies to taxpayers covered by the applicable non-audit filing deadline. This includes eligible taxpayers with business or professional income.
For AY 2026-27, ITR-3 applies to individuals and HUFs with income from business or profession who are not eligible to use ITR-1, ITR-2 or ITR-4.
ITR-4 (Sugam) is available to eligible resident individuals, HUFs and firms other than LLPs with specified business or professional income computed under the presumptive taxation provisions of sections 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE. The Income Tax Department has specified August 31, 2026 as the due date for ITR-4.
Taxpayers should not choose the return form solely on the basis of their occupation. The applicable ITR depends on their income sources and other conditions prescribed for each form.
What is being filed?
The return due now is for AY 2026-27, covering income earned in FY 2025-26.
The Income Tax Department has clarified that filings relating to AY 2026-27 continue to be governed by the Income-tax Act, 1961, even though the Income-tax Act, 2025 came into force from April 1, 2026.This is different from the return for Tax Year 2026-27, which will cover income earned during FY 2026-27 and will be filed in 2027.
What if you cannot file today?
Taxpayers who miss the August 31 deadline can still furnish a belated return for AY 2026-27, subject to the applicable provisions. The Income Tax Department says such a return can be filed up to December 31, 2026, or before completion of assessment, whichever is earlier.
However, late filing can attract a fee under Section 234F. The fee is ₹1,000 where total income does not exceed ₹5 lakh and ₹5,000 in other cases. Interest can also apply where tax remains payable.
Filing is not the same as verification
Taxpayers should also ensure that the return is e-verified after submission. The Income Tax Department has specifically sent reminders to taxpayers whose AY 2026-27 returns are pending verification.
For those filing today, the key steps are to select the correct ITR, check income and tax details, submit the return and complete verification within the prescribed timeline.
