India expands ITR filing deadlines for businesses, companies and auditors in FY 2025‑26

The Income Tax Department has revised the filing schedule for Assessment Year 2026‑27. For salaried individuals, pensioners and other taxpayers using ITR‑1 (Sahaj) or ITR‑2, the deadline remains July 31, 2026. Non‑audit business and professional taxpayers filing ITR‑3 or ITR‑4 can now file until August 31, 2026, a change announced in the Union Budget 2026 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Entities that require a tax audit have until October 31, 2026, while companies involved in international transactions or required to submit a transfer‑pricing report under Section 92E may file up to November 30, 2026. Late filers can submit a belated return by December 31, 2026; revised returns are accepted until March 31, 2027, and updated returns (ITR‑U) can be filed until March 31, 2031. Missing the applicable deadline may attract penalties of up to ₹1,000 for incomes ≤ ₹5 lakh and up to ₹5,000 for higher incomes, along with interest under Sections 234A‑C.