Missed the ITR Deadline? How to File a Late Return
The ITR due dates for FY 2025-26 have passed. You can still file a belated return until 31 December 2026. Late fee, interest, what you lose and how to file.
By Balaji Anbazhagan
· 5 min read
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If you have not filed your income tax return for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), you have missed the due date, but it is not too late. You can still file a belated return until 31 December 2026. It costs a late fee and interest, and it comes with some limits. Here is exactly what each deadline was, what a late return costs, what you lose, and how to file one.
The short answer
- The due dates have passed: 31 July 2026 for ITR-1 and ITR-2, and 31 August 2026 for ITR-3 and ITR-4 (no audit). I found no extension announced.
- You can still file a belated return until 31 December 2026, or until the department completes your assessment, whichever is earlier.
- Late fee (section 234F): ₹1,000 if your total income is up to ₹5 lakh, otherwise ₹5,000.
- Interest (section 234A): 1% a month (or part of a month) on any tax still unpaid, counted from the original due date.
- What you lose: you cannot carry forward most losses, such as capital losses on shares or business losses.
- Do it now. The interest grows every month, and the sooner you file, the sooner any refund is processed.
What the deadlines were
| Who | Due date for FY 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Salaried, pensioners, most individuals (ITR-1, ITR-2) | 31 July 2026 |
| Business and professional income, no audit (ITR-3, ITR-4) | 31 August 2026 |
| Belated return, anyone | 31 December 2026 |
More than 7.8 crore returns were filed for AY 2026-27 by 31 August, including more than 5.9 crore ITR-1 and ITR-2 returns by 31 July, so a late return is common. If your accounts need an audit, your due date is different (normally 31 October), so check the department’s notices for any change.
What a late return costs
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Late fee, income up to ₹5 lakh | ₹1,000 |
| Late fee, income above ₹5 lakh | ₹5,000 |
| Interest on unpaid tax | 1% per month or part of a month, from the original due date |
Example: You are an ITR-1 filer with ₹40,000 of tax unpaid, and you file and pay on 20 October. Interest runs from the 31 July due date: August, September and part of October each count as a month, so 3 months at 1% is ₹1,200. Add the ₹5,000 fee if your income is above ₹5 lakh.
Pay any tax you owe (self-assessment tax) before or as you file. If your employer already deducted enough tax (TDS), there may be no tax to pay, and you only owe the late fee.
If your income is below the basic exemption limit, you were generally not required to file, and the late fee does not apply. Filing can still be useful to claim a TDS refund.
What you lose by filing late
- Loss carry-forward. A belated return does not let you carry forward capital losses (for example, a loss on shares) or business losses to set against future gains. Unabsorbed depreciation and house-property losses are still allowed. If you have a loss you want to use later, this can cost you more than the late fee.
- The tax regime. One tax portal (ClearTax) says late filers are limited to the new tax regime. If the old regime matters for you, check what your ITR form allows before you file, or ask a tax professional.
- Speed. Refunds are only processed after you file and verify.
How to file a belated return
- Log in to the income tax e-filing portal.
- Choose File Income Tax Return, the assessment year 2026-27, and the correct ITR form for your income.
- In “Filing type”, choose “Return filed after the due date (139(4))” rather than “original”.
- Check the pre-filled details (salary, interest, capital gains) against your Form 26AS and AIS.
- Pay any tax due, then submit.
- E-verify within 30 days. An unverified return is treated as not filed.
Work out what you owe first with the income tax calculator, and if you sold shares or funds, with the capital gains calculator.
What if you find a mistake later?
| Return | Last date | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Belated return (139(4)) | 31 December 2026 | Late fee and interest, as above |
| Revised return (139(5)) | 31 March 2027 | No fee if filed by 31 December 2026; ₹1,000 (income up to ₹5 lakh) or ₹5,000 (above) after that, according to Tax Garden and ClearTax |
| Updated return, ITR-U (139(8A)) | 31 March 2031 (48 months from the end of the assessment year) | Extra tax of 25% within 12 months, 50% within 24 months, 60% within 36 months and 70% within 48 months; cannot be used to claim a refund or reduce tax |
If you miss the belated deadline, ITR-U is the last route, and it is costly. File before 31 December.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to file ITR for FY 2025-26? The due dates were 31 July 2026 (ITR-1, ITR-2) and 31 August 2026 (ITR-3, ITR-4 without audit). A belated return can be filed until 31 December 2026.
Was the ITR deadline extended in 2026? I found no extension announced for AY 2026-27. Check the income tax portal for any latest notice.
What is the penalty for filing ITR late? A late fee of ₹1,000 if your income is up to ₹5 lakh and ₹5,000 above that, plus 1% a month interest on unpaid tax.
Can I still get a refund if I file late? Yes. Refunds are still paid on a belated return, but only after you file and e-verify it.
Do I need to file if my income is below the tax limit? Not if your income is below the basic exemption limit and no other rule requires it. You may still want to file to claim a TDS refund.
What happens if I never file? You may get a notice, and later filing routes such as ITR-U carry extra tax of 25% to 70%. It is better to file the belated return now.
Sources
- ClearTax, “Penalty for late filing of income tax return for FY 2025-26 – Section 234F”: cleartax.in
- Tax Garden, “Belated, revised and updated ITR: complete guide for AY 2026-27”: taxgarden.in
- International News and Views, “Record 7.8 crore ITRs filed: missed deadline? What to do now”, 1 September 2026: internationalnewsandviews.com
- Upstox, “ITR filing last date extension: why is 2026 different?”, 28 July 2026: upstox.com
- Income Tax Department, e-filing portal: incometax.gov.in
This article is for general information and education, not financial, tax or investment advice. Rules and rates change; check official sources or consult a qualified professional before acting. See our disclaimer.