Income tax filing deadline 2026 LIVE Updates: Can taxpayers expect a due date extension beyond 31 July?

Income tax filing deadline 2026 LIVE Updates: With the deadline to file income tax return (ITR) for Assessment Year 2026-27 (FY 2025–26) approaching soon, millions of taxpayers are rushing to complete their filings and avoid penalties, interest and compliance notices.

This deadline applies to resident individuals who files ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-2 and do not need to undergo audit. Such taxpayers include most salaried employees, pensioners and students, with income up to ₹50 lakh from two house properties, interest, dividends, long-term capital gains up to ₹1.25 lakh, or other sources.

When is the ITR filing deadline?

The ITR filing deadline for those submitting ITR-1 and ITR-2 is on July 31, 2026. A taxpayer can file their returns on the income tax department’s e-filing portal, as well as fintech platforms which also offer ITR services at a cost.

However, not every taxpayer is required to file their ITR by 31 July. Those people with business or professional income filing ITR-3, as well as those opting for the presumptive taxation scheme under ITR-4 (Sugam), have a later due date. Here’s when such taxpayers need to file their returns:

• August 31, 2026: Salary from freelance or business income that does not require tax audit.
• October 31, 2026: Business or professional income requiring a tax audit.

ITR deadline extensions in last five years

• AY 2021-22: The deadline for filing ITR (without audit) was first extended from July 31, 2021, to September 30, 2021. Subsequently, it extended to December 31, 2021. The deadline for furnishing audit reports was first extended to October 31, 2021, and later to January 15, 2022.
• AY 2022-23: The due date for filing ITR (requiring audit) was extended to November 7, 2022. The due date for furnishing reports of audit was first extended from September 30 to October 7, 2022.
• AY 2023-24: No extension announced
• AY 2024-25: The deadline for filing audit reports was extended from September 30, 2024, to October 7, 2024. The due date of filing ITRs by taxpayers required to furnish an audit report was extended to December 15, 2024. The due date for filing a belated return was extended from December 31, 2024 to January 15, 2025.
• AY 2025-26: The ITR filing deadline was first extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025. Subsequently, it was extended again by a day to September 16, 2025. The due date for furnishing audit reports was extended to November 10, 2025.

Is the deadline extended this time as well?

No, the government has not announced any extension of the 31 July ITR filing due date so far. Tax experts have also repeatedly warned that a similar relief may not be given this year.

Who needs to file an ITR?

The most common reason for mandatory ITR filing is when your total income exceeds the basic exemption limit.

Under the old tax regime, the exemption limit is:

• ₹2.5 lakh for individuals below 60 years
• ₹3 lakh for senior citizens (60 years but less than 80 years of age)
• ₹5 lakh for super senior citizens (80 years or more)

Under the new tax regime, the basic exemption limit is ₹4 lakh for all age groups.

This live blog will track the latest updates on who must file by 31 July, who gets additional time, penalties for missing the deadline, important ITR forms, filing portal developments, and expert guidance for last-minute taxpayers.