India updates ITR filing rules for intraday and futures‑options traders for AY 2026‑27

India’s Income Tax Department has revised the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing requirements for Assessment Year 2026‑27. Intraday traders are now required to file ITR‑3 using business code 21009 (speculative trading), while futures‑and‑options (F&O) traders must also use ITR‑3 with business code 21010 (non‑speculative trading). A separate code 21011 is listed for share‑trading businesses.

The updated form mandates that turnover and income from intraday and F&O activities be disclosed separately and that the reported figures match the trader’s books of account. Books of account are compulsory when turnover exceeds ₹25 lakh or net profit exceeds ₹2 lakh in any of the three preceding years, and a tax audit may apply under the same thresholds. The filing deadline for non‑audit cases is 31 August 2026.

Additional changes affect other ITR forms: the ITR‑1 now includes sections for secondary addresses, co‑ownership of property, and detailed donation reporting (including UPI and IFSC details). The capital‑gains schedule has been simplified, and limits on long‑term capital gains (LTCG) under section 112A are clarified. These revisions aim to improve compliance and align reported figures with brokers’ statements.