- The ITR filing deadline for salaried individuals and non-business taxpayers for FY 2025-26 is July 31, 2026.
- Business or professional taxpayers without audit requirements must file their returns by August 31, 2026.
- Taxpayers requiring a tax audit must submit the audit report by September 30, 2026, and file their ITR by October 31, 2026.
If you're a first-time taxpayer planning to file your Income Tax Return (ITR), it's important to know the deadlines. The due date for filing ITR for the Financial Year 2025–26 (Assessment Year 2026–27) is July 31, 2026, for salaried individuals, non-business taxpayers, and those not earning income from a profession.
Failing to file your return by the prescribed deadline may attract a late filing fee under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act.
Taxpayers whose income is not derived from a business or profession are required to file their returns on time. If they miss the deadline and file a belated return, they will be liable to pay a late filing fee.
Under the provisions, taxpayers with a taxable income of up to Rs 5 lakh may have to pay a late fee of Rs 1,000, while those with taxable income exceeding Rs 5 lakh may be required to pay a late fee of up to Rs 5,000. Additionally, if any tax remains unpaid, interest may also be levied as per the applicable provisions.
Taxpayers earning income from a business or profession whose accounts are not required to be audited have until August 31, 2026, to file their Income Tax Returns.
Meanwhile, where a tax audit is mandatory under Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, the audit report must be uploaded by September 30, 2026, and the Income Tax Return must be filed by October 31, 2026.
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ITR Online: How to File Your Income Tax Return?
Follow these s to file your income tax return:
1: Visit the Income Tax Department’s official website: https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/
2: Enter your PAN number and log in. If you are a first-time user, create a new password.
3: After logging in, go to the dashboard and click on e-File > Income Tax Return > File Income Tax Return.
4: Select the Assessment Year- Choose Assessment Year 2026-27 and continue.
5: Select the online filing option.
6: Choose the appropriate form based on your income type, such as ITR-1 or ITR-2.
7: Keep documents such as Form 16, bank statements, and investment proofs ready while entering your details.
8: The portal will ask questions related to your income and deductions. Select the options that apply to your situation.
9: The system will automatically calculate your tax liability based on the information provided.
10: If additional tax is payable, you can choose the Pay Now or Pay Later option.
11: Preview your return carefully, complete the declaration, and proceed with validation.
After successful validation, select Proceed to Verification.
12: Verify your return using methods such as Aadhaar OTP or other available options.
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Once verification is completed, you will receive a confirmation message stating that your return has been successfully filed.