Missed the ITR Deadline? Belated Return Till 31 December 2026, Revised Return Till 31 March 2027

You Missed the Deadline — But You Still Have Options

The main ITR filing deadlines for AY 2026–27 have passed: 31 July 2026 for salaried individuals, 31 August 2026 for non-audit business cases (a new staggered deadline introduced in Budget 2026), and 21 November 2026 for audit cases. If you did not file on time, you are not out of options — but every option has a price.

Two windows remain open: a belated return under Section 139(4) until 31 December 2026, and a revised return under Section 139(5) — which Budget 2026 extended to 31 March 2027. Here is what each window lets you do, what it costs, and the traps to avoid.

The Two Windows at a Glance

What Filing Late Actually Costs

1. The late fee under Section 234F

A fixed fee applies when you file after the due date:

• ₹5,000 — if your total income exceeds ₹5 lakh
• ₹1,000 — if your total income is ₹5 lakh or less

This is payable along with your belated return — the portal will compute it automatically.

2. Interest on unpaid tax

Interest keeps running from the due date on any tax you have not paid:

• 234A — 1% per month (or part of a month) on unpaid self-assessment tax, from the due date to the date of payment
• 234B — interest if you paid less than 90% of your assessed tax as advance tax
• 234C — interest for deferring advance tax instalments

Paying your tax now — even before you file — stops 234A from growing further. If advance tax was due, review our advance tax instalments guide to see how the shortfall interest is computed.

3. Lost benefits you cannot get back

• Carry-forward of losses: business losses (other than house property loss) cannot be carried forward if the return is filed after the due date. For a loss-making year, this can be the biggest hidden cost of all.
• Old regime choice: taxpayers who must opt into the old regime (e.g. via Form 10-IEA for business income) have to do so before the due date. File late and you are pushed into the new regime for the year. Compare the regimes before you decide — see our old vs new tax regime guide.

Filing a Belated Return in 6 Steps

1. Pay your tax first. Compute total liability, subtract TDS/TCS and advance tax, and pay the balance (plus fee and interest) as self-assessment tax. Keep the challan.
2. Gather documents: Form 16/16A, bank interest certificates, capital gains statements, rent receipts, 80C/80D proofs — whatever your income sources need.
3. Reconcile 26AS, AIS and TIS. Your reported income must match the department’s records. AIS mismatches are the single biggest cause of post-filing notices.
4. Choose the right ITR form and regime — and remember the old-regime option is effectively gone for late filers who had to opt in.
5. File and pay the 234F fee on incometax.gov.in. The system flags the return as filed under Section 139(4).
6. E-verify within 30 days. An unverified return is treated as never filed — and your belated window will not reopen. Aadhaar OTP is the fastest method.

Revising a Return: the 31 March 2027 Extension

Missed a deduction, forgot an income, spotted an AIS mismatch after filing? Budget 2026 stretched the revision window from December to 31 March 2027 — the end of the assessment year itself. You can revise:

• an on-time return (the most common case)
• a belated return — yes, belated returns can be revised too
• multiple times, as long as each revision is within the window

A revision replaces your original return entirely — so file the full corrected return, not just the delta. If you are an audit-case taxpayer, note the related deadlines in our tax audit deadline checklist. For the full year’s compliance picture, keep the Income Tax Hub and Compliance Calendar Hub handy.

What about an Updated Return (ITR-U)?

If both windows close, Section 139(8A) lets you file an updated return (ITR-U) for past years — but it carries additional tax (25–70% of the extra liability depending on how late you file) and cannot be used to claim refunds or reduce income. It is a last resort, not a strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date for filing a belated ITR for AY 2026–27?

31 December 2026 under Section 139(4). After this, you can only file an updated return (ITR-U) with additional tax — or face assessment proceedings without having filed.

What is the last date for revising my ITR for AY 2026–27?

31 March 2027 under Section 139(5), extended from 31 December by Budget 2026. Both on-time and belated returns can be revised.

Can I file a belated return if I never filed at all?

Yes — that is exactly what a belated return is for. Pay the applicable fee and interest, file under Section 139(4) by 31 December 2026, and e-verify within 30 days.

Do I lose my deductions if I file late?

Deductions themselves (80C, 80D, etc.) can still be claimed in a belated return — but you lose the carry-forward of business losses and may lose the old-regime option if you needed to opt in by the due date.

Is there any way to fix a mistake after 31 March 2027?

Only the updated return (ITR-U) route remains, with significant additional tax. It cannot reduce your income or generate a refund. Filing within the revision window is far cheaper.

Disclaimer: Tax laws change frequently. Verify current deadlines on incometax.gov.in or consult a qualified professional before acting.