Quick Answer
ITR filing for AY 2026-27 (income earned in FY 2025-26) opens on the e-filing portal after CBDT notified all forms (ITR-1 to ITR-7) on 30 March 2026.
Due date is 31 July 2026 for salaried individuals and other non-audit ITR-1/ITR-2 filers, and 31 August 2026 for non-audit ITR-3/ITR-4 filers.
The new tax regime under Section 115BAC is the default; income up to Rs 12 lakh (Rs 12.75 lakh for salaried, after standard deduction) is effectively tax-free via the Section 87A rebate.
Choosing the wrong ITR form is the single biggest cause of a defective return notice under Section 139(9).
A return is legally 'filed' only after e-verification within 30 days; skipping this makes the ITR invalid.
Missed the deadline? A belated return under Section 139(4) can still be filed till 31 December 2026, and a revised return under Section 139(5) till 31 March 2027.
Who Should File an Income Tax Return for AY 2026-27
Filing an Income Tax Return is mandatory for every individual, HUF, firm or company whose total income before claiming deductions under Chapter VI-A (Sections 80C to 80U) exceeds the basic exemption limit applicable to their chosen tax regime. Under the new regime this threshold is Rs 4 lakh, and under the old regime it is Rs 2.5 lakh (Rs 3 lakh for senior citizens, Rs 5 lakh for super senior citizens). To make an informed choice, review our detailed guide on which ITR form to file (ITR-1 to ITR-7 explained).
ITR filing is also compulsory regardless of income level if, during the financial year, you deposited more than Rs 1 crore in one or more current accounts, spent over Rs 2 lakh on foreign travel, paid electricity bills exceeding Rs 1 lakh, held foreign assets or signing authority in a foreign account, earned income from a foreign source, or are otherwise required to file under the seventh proviso to Section 139(1).
Filing below the threshold is still worthwhile
Key Legal Provisions Governing ITR Filing
Return of Income
New Tax Regime (Default)
Tax Rebate
Fee for Late Filing
Defective Return
Updated Return (ITR-U)
Window extended to 48 months
Transition Note: Income Tax Act, 2025
The new Income Tax Act, 2025 comes into force from 1 April 2026, but AY 2026-27 covers income earned in FY 2025-26 (before that date). Your return for this cycle is therefore still governed entirely by the Income-tax Act, 1961. Returns for income earned from April 2026 onward will fall under the new Act from the next filing cycle.
ITR Filing Due Dates for AY 2026-27
Salaried individuals, pensioners and others filing ITR-1 or ITR-2 without a tax audit requirement.
Professionals, freelancers and presumptive-income filers under ITR-3 or ITR-4 without an audit requirement.
Businesses and professionals whose accounts require a tax audit under Section 44AB.
Taxpayers required to furnish a transfer pricing report under Section 92E for international or specified domestic transactions.
Missed the original deadline? File with a late fee under Section 234F, but you lose the option to switch to the old regime and to carry forward certain losses.
Correct any error or omission in a return already filed, any number of times, before this date.
Relevant CBDT Notifications for AY 2026-27
Old vs New Tax Regime: Which One Should You Choose
The new tax regime under Section 115BAC is the default regime for FY 2025-26. If you want to continue under the old regime, salaried taxpayers can simply select it while filing, while taxpayers with business or professional income must file Form 10-IEA electronically before the due date under Section 139(1). Check our old vs new tax regime 2026 comparison to see which path saves you more.
New Tax Regime Slabs - FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)
Income Slab | Tax Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to Rs 4,00,000 | Nil | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rs 4,00,001 - Rs 8,00,000 | 5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rs 8,00,001 - Rs 12,00,000 | 10% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rs 12,00,001 - Rs 16,00,000 | 15% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rs 16,00,001 - Rs 20,00,000 | 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rs 20,00,001 - Rs 24,00,000 | 25% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Above Rs 24,00,000 | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Standard deduction: Rs 75,000 (salary/pension) | Section 87A rebate: up to Rs 60,000 for taxable income up to Rs 12 lakh | Health & Education Cess: 4% on tax | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Old Tax Regime Slabs (Individuals Below 60 Years)
Income Slab | Tax Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to Rs 2,50,000 | Nil | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rs 2,50,001 - Rs 5,00,000 | 5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rs 5,00,001 - Rs 10,00,000 | 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Above Rs 10,00,000 | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Standard deduction: Rs 50,000 | Section 87A rebate: up to Rs 12,500 for taxable income up to Rs 5 lakh | Deductions like 80C, 80D and HRA remain available | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form 10-IEA Is Not Optional for Business Income
If you have income from business or profession and want to opt for (or opt out of and later return to) the old regime, filing Form 10-IEA before the ITR due date is mandatory. Missing this makes the new regime binding for the year, with no scope to switch retrospectively.
Which ITR Form Applies to You
From AY 2026-27, ITR-1 and ITR-4 have been expanded to cover up to two house properties, up from one earlier.
Form | Who Should File | Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| ITR-1 (Sahaj) | Resident individuals with salary/pension, up to two house properties, other sources, and LTCG under Section 112A up to Rs 1.25 lakh | Up to Rs 50 lakh |
| ITR-2 | Individuals/HUFs with capital gains, foreign assets/income, directorship, or unlisted shares, but no business income | No limit |
| ITR-3 | Individuals/HUFs with business or professional income maintaining regular books, or partnership firm remuneration | No limit |
| ITR-4 (Sugam) | Resident individuals/HUFs/firms (not LLP) opting for presumptive taxation under Sections 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE | Up to Rs 50 lakh |
| ITR-5 | Firms, LLPs, AOPs, BOIs and similar entities other than individuals, HUFs and companies | No limit |
| ITR-6 | Companies not claiming exemption under Section 11 (income from charitable/religious property) | No limit |
| ITR-7 | Trusts, political parties, institutions and persons required to file under Sections 139(4A) to 139(4D) | No limit |
Bare Act Reference
Section 139(1): Return of Income
Requires every person whose total income exceeds the basic exemption limit, or who satisfies specified high-value transaction conditions under the seventh proviso, to furnish a return of income in the prescribed form within the due date, failing which fee under Section 234F and interest under Section 234A apply.
Documents Required Before You Start Filing
Essential Documents
Supporting Evidence
Step-by-Step ITR Filing Process Online
Log in to the e-Filing Portal
Visit incometax.gov.in and log in using your PAN as user ID.
Reconcile Form 26AS, AIS and TIS
Cross-check TDS, TCS, interest income and high-value transactions reported by third parties to avoid mismatches. See our complete AIS vs Form 26AS vs TIS mismatch guide for step-by-step resolution steps.
Select Assessment Year and ITR Form
Choose AY 2026-27 and let the portal's filing flow help identify, or manually select, the correct ITR form based on your income sources.
Choose Your Tax Regime
Confirm whether you want the default new regime or the old regime; file Form 10-IEA first if you have business income and want the old regime.
Fill in Income, Deduction and Tax Details
Enter salary, house property, capital gains, business income and other-source details along with eligible deductions, and let the utility auto-compute tax payable or refundable.
Pay Any Balance Self-Assessment Tax
Use Challan No. 280 through the portal if additional tax is due before submission.
Submit and E-Verify Within 30 Days
Submit the return and complete e-verification through Aadhaar OTP, net banking, bank/demat EVC, or by sending a signed ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru. An unverified return is treated as never filed.
Track Processing and Intimation
After verification, the CPC cross-checks your return and issues an intimation under Section 143(1) confirming refund, demand, or no adjustment.
Practical Example
Real-life Scenario
Ananya is a salaried employee earning Rs 14,00,000 a year, owns one self-occupied flat, and earned Rs 40,000 as fixed deposit interest during FY 2025-26. She has no business income and no capital gains.
Since her income is under Rs 50 lakh and comes only from salary, one house property and other sources, ITR-1 (Sahaj) is the correct form.
Under the new regime, after the Rs 75,000 standard deduction, her taxable salary income falls well within slabs that attract tax, but she compares it against the old regime using her 80C/80D investments before finalising.
She reconciles her AIS, fills ITR-1 on the portal, submits, and e-verifies via Aadhaar OTP on the same day, well before 31 July 2026.
Always run the numbers under both regimes before submitting - the portal's tax calculator can compare them side by side in seconds.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Professionals Beware
Filing ITR-1 despite having capital gains beyond the permitted limit, directorship, or unlisted shares invites a defective return notice under Section 139(9).
Not reconciling salary, interest, dividend or securities data reflected in AIS before filing leads to processing delays and notices.
Submitting the return but forgetting to e-verify within 30 days makes the filing invalid, as if it were never filed.
Defaulting to the new regime without checking whether old-regime deductions (80C, 80D, HRA, home loan interest) give a lower tax outcome.
Business/professional taxpayers who want the old regime but forget to file Form 10-IEA before the due date get stuck with the new regime for the year.
Claiming TDS credit without offering the corresponding income for tax is a frequent trigger for a Section 139(9) defective notice.
Pre-Submission Compliance Checklist
Received a Defective Return Notice Under Section 139(9)?
You get 15 days from the date of receiving the notice (extendable on request) to correct the defect by logging into Pending Actions > E-Proceedings on the e-filing portal. If you fail to respond, the return is treated as invalid, i.e. as though you never filed at all - resulting in loss of carried-forward losses, applicability of the Section 234F late fee, Section 234A interest, and denial of any refund claimed. You can also explore our legal tools for notice drafting assistance.
Refunds and Processing
Once your return is e-verified, the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) cross-checks it against Form 26AS, AIS and TDS/TCS statements, then issues an intimation under Section 143(1) showing either a refund, a demand, or no further adjustment. Refunds are credited directly to your pre-validated bank account, and interest on delayed refunds is payable under Section 244A. If you spot an error after filing, a revised return under Section 139(5) can be filed any number of times up to 31 March 2027.
If both the original and belated deadlines are missed entirely, an updated return under Section 139(8A) can still be filed within 48 months from the end of the relevant assessment year - for AY 2026-27, that window runs up to 31 March 2031 - though additional tax and no fresh deductions or refund claims apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
File under the correct ITR form, reconcile every figure against Form 26AS and AIS before submission, consciously choose your tax regime (filing Form 10-IEA where needed), and always complete e-verification within 30 days. Meeting the 31 July or 31 August 2026 deadline protects your right to switch regimes, carry forward losses, and get a smooth refund without the additional burden of late fees under Section 234F. For further information, visit our FAQ section or check our pricing page for professional assistance.
Tools That Can Help
Old vs New Regime Calculator
Compare your tax liability under both regimes instantly
ITR Form Selector
Answer a few questions to identify the right ITR form
Section 139(9) Reply Drafter
Draft a structured response to a defective return notice
Compliance Due Date Tracker
Track your ITR, advance tax and audit deadlines in one place
Generate a Ready-to-File ITR Compliance Draft
Learn more about our team or let DraftLegalAI help you prepare a client-ready ITR filing checklist and computation summary in minutes.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tax laws are subject to frequent amendments and judicial interpretations. Readers are advised to consult a qualified tax professional or legal counsel for specific guidance tailored to their situation.
