Income tax return deadline: Can you file by December 31, 2026?
July 31, 2026 remains the deadline for salaried taxpayers and pensioners to file income tax returns, with no extension announced by the Income Tax Department.
Businesses and professionals have later deadlines: August 31, 2026 for non-audit cases and October 31, 2026 for audit cases.
Under the new tax regime, income up to Rs 4 lakh is tax-exempt, while the old regime exempts up to Rs 2.5 lakh.
Late filing incurs a fee up to Rs 5,000 (reduced to Rs 1,000 for income up to Rs 5 lakh) and 1% monthly interest on unpaid tax.
For FY 2025-26, revised returns can be filed up to March 31, 2027, per the Finance Act, 2026.
Story angle
Center-right
Mostly straight facts, with a light government- or market-friendly tilt.
About how the story is framed, not whether the facts are true.
Times of India
Center-right
Mixed factuality
Who owns this?
Times Group
Bennett, Coleman & Co. (Sahu Jain family)
India's largest newspaper group by circulation.
Wikipedia: Sahu Jain family