Belated and Revised ITR AY 2026-27: Last Dates, Fees and Limits
For Assessment Year 2026-27 (financial year 2025-26), a belated income tax return can be filed up to 31 December 2026. A revised return can now be filed up to 31 March 2027, because the Finance Act, 2026 extended the revision window by three months. Revisions filed in the later part of that window attract a new fee of ₹1,000 or ₹5,000.
AY 2026-27 is still governed by the Income-tax Act, 1961. The Income-tax Act, 2025 applies from tax year 2026-27 onwards.
What is the last date for a belated return for AY 2026-27?
Under section 139(4), a person who missed the original due date can file a belated return up to three months before the end of the assessment year, or before the assessment is completed, whichever is earlier. For AY 2026-27, that is 31 December 2026.
The original due dates under section 139(1) for this year are:
| Taxpayer | Original due date |
|---|---|
| Transfer pricing cases (section 92E applies) | 30 November 2026 |
| Companies and other audit cases | 31 October 2026, extended to 21 November 2026 by CBDT Circular No. 07/2026 |
| Non-audit business or professional income | 31 August 2026 |
| All other taxpayers | 31 July 2026 |
For the extension in audit cases, see CBDT extends tax audit and ITR due dates for AY 2026-27.
What does a belated return cost?
Filing after the due date is allowed, but it has consequences:
- Late fee under section 234F: ₹5,000. Where total income does not exceed ₹5 lakh, the fee cannot exceed ₹1,000.
- Interest under section 234A: simple interest on the unpaid tax for the period of delay.
- Losses: losses other than loss under the head "Income from house property" cannot be carried forward from a belated return.
- Old tax regime: the option to stay out of the new regime under section 115BAC(6) is exercised with a return filed under section 139(1), or for business income on or before that due date. A taxpayer filing late generally cannot choose the old regime for that year.
What changed for revised returns in 2026?
The Finance Act, 2026 (Act No. 4 of 2026, assented on 30 March 2026) substituted section 139(5) with effect from 1 March 2026. The new provision says that a person who has filed a return under section 139(1) or section 139(4) and finds an omission or wrong statement may file a revised return before the end of the relevant assessment year or before completion of the assessment, whichever is earlier.
For AY 2026-27, the end of the assessment year is 31 March 2027. Earlier, the limit was three months before the end of the assessment year, that is, 31 December.
When does the new section 234-I fee apply?
The same Act inserted section 234-I. A fee is payable on a revised return filed in the later part of the window:
| Total income | Fee under section 234-I |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹5 lakh | ₹1,000 |
| Above ₹5 lakh | ₹5,000 |
The Memorandum explaining the Finance Bill, 2026 describes this fee as applying to revised returns filed beyond nine months from the end of the relevant tax year. For AY 2026-27, that means revisions filed after 31 December 2026. A revision filed on or before 31 December 2026 does not attract this fee.
Belated, revised or updated return: which one applies?
| Situation | Return to file | Time limit for AY 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Original due date missed | Belated return, section 139(4) | 31 December 2026 |
| Mistake or omission in a filed return | Revised return, section 139(5) | 31 March 2027 (fee after 31 December 2026) |
| Income missed and the above windows have closed | Updated return (ITR-U), section 139(8A) | 48 months from the end of the assessment year |
An updated return cannot be used to report a loss, reduce the tax liability or increase a refund. It also requires additional tax of 25% to 70% of the tax and interest payable, depending on how late it is filed.
What should you check before filing or revising?
- Match AIS and Form 26AS. Annual Information Statement entries often update after the original filing. Compare interest, dividends, securities transactions and TDS credits before revising.
- Pay tax and interest first. Self-assessment tax and interest under sections 234A, 234B and 234C should be paid before the return is uploaded.
- Do not leave revisions to the last week. A revision is possible only until the assessment is completed. If a notice has been issued, take advice on whether revision is still open.
- Keep the acknowledgement numbers. A revised return quotes the acknowledgement number and date of the return being revised.
- Plan for tax year 2026-27. Under the Income-tax Act, 2025, the Memorandum states that revised returns can similarly be filed up to twelve months from the end of the tax year, with a fee under section 428(b) for revisions beyond nine months.
More on return filing is on the income tax return page.
The information in this article reflects the law as on the date of publication and is for general guidance only.
Sources: https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2026/271439.pdf · https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/memo.pdf · https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/w/return-of-income-2 · https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/w/section-115bac-4 · https://incometaxindia.gov.in/documents/d/guest/circular-7-2026-pdf · https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/documents/20117/42998/Updated-Return-of-Income_2026-01-21_03-31-05_3f6059_en.pdf
Frequently asked questions
Can a belated return for AY 2026-27 be revised?
Yes. The substituted section 139(5) expressly allows revision of a return filed under section 139(1) or section 139(4), so a belated return can also be corrected within the revised-return window.
Does a revised return need to be verified?
Yes. Like any return, a revised return must be verified through e-verification or by sending the signed ITR-V, generally within 30 days of uploading. An unverified return is treated as not filed.
Can an updated return (ITR-U) be revised later?
No. An updated return can be filed only once for a year and cannot be revised, so check all figures carefully before filing it.
Is the 31 December 2026 date for belated returns affected by the CBDT extension for audit cases?
No. The CBDT extension moved the original due date for audit cases to 21 November 2026. The outer limit for a belated return remains 31 December 2026.