India extends ITR filing deadline to August 31 for non‑audited businesses

The Indian Income Tax Department has announced that taxpayers who earned business or professional income in FY 2025‑26 and are not required to undergo a tax audit must file their returns by 31 August 2026. The extension applies to individuals filing ITR‑3 (proprietors) and ITR‑4 (presumptive taxation scheme) forms. Salaried employees, pensioners and other non‑business filers continue to have a 31 July deadline, while those subject to audit must file by 31 October.

Separately, a chartered accountant, Rajendra Sharma, highlighted a growing concern that AI‑assisted ITR filings can trigger tax notices. Sharma shared a client’s experience on X, noting that the taxpayer received a notice after using an AI tool to prepare the return, prompting calls for clearer guidance on the use of such technology in tax compliance.