ITR Filing Due Dates Under the New Income Tax Act — Complete Calendar

ITR Filing Due Dates — Complete Calendar

Missing your ITR deadline doesn’t just mean a late fee — it can also cost you the ability to carry forward losses and switch tax regimes freely. Here’s the complete picture.

Standard Due Dates

Note: These dates are sometimes extended by CBDT circular, especially in years with significant form or portal changes — always verify the current year’s notified date closer to the deadline.

Consequences of Missing the Due Date

•             Late filing fee (Section 234F successor provision): ₹5,000 if total income exceeds ₹5 lakh; ₹1,000 if total income is ₹5 lakh or below.

•             Interest under Section 234A: 1% per month (or part) on any unpaid tax, from the due date until the date of actual filing.

•             Loss carry-forward forfeited: Business losses and capital losses generally cannot be carried forward if the return is filed after the due date (house property loss is an exception).

•             Reduced time for revision: A belated return can still be revised, but you lose flexibility if issues are discovered later.

Belated Return Deadline

If you miss the original due date, you can still file a belated return by 31st December of the relevant assessment year (i.e., roughly 5 months after the original due date for most individuals) — but with the late fee and interest consequences above.

Advance Tax Instalment Dates (For Context)

Presumptive taxpayers (Section 44AD/44ADA) pay their entire advance tax in a single instalment by 15th March.

Worked Example

A salaried individual with total income of ₹8,00,000, who fails to file by 31st July and instead files on 15th November: they owe a ₹5,000 late filing fee plus interest under Section 234A on any unpaid tax for the 3.5-month delay — and if they had any capital losses that year, those losses cannot be carried forward to offset future gains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is there any way to carry forward a loss even if I file a belated return? Only house property loss retains carry-forward eligibility even with a belated return. Business losses and capital losses generally require filing by the original due date to preserve carry-forward rights.

Q2. Can I file my ITR after 31st December if I completely missed both deadlines? Beyond the belated return deadline, your only remaining option is generally the Updated Return (ITR-U) mechanism, which comes with additional tax of 25% to 70% depending on how late you file, and cannot be used to claim a refund or reduce tax payable.

Q3. Do senior citizens get an extended due date? No special extension exists purely based on age — senior citizens follow the same due date structure as other individual taxpayers, though certain senior citizens (75+) with only pension and interest income from a specified bank may be exempted from filing altogether, subject to conditions.

Reflects the standard due date framework for Tax Year 2026-27. Always verify against official CBDT notifications for any extensions.

Disclaimer

This content is shared strictly for general information and knowledge purposes only. Readers should independently verify the information from reliable sources. It is not intended to provide legal, professional, or advisory guidance. The author and the organisation disclaim all liability arising from the use of this content. The material has been prepared with the assistance of AI tools