File your return at incometax.gov.in and e-verify it within 30 days. An unverified return is treated as not filed, no matter when you submitted it. That single rule causes more trouble than any other part of the process.
For financial year 2026-27, that is assessment year 2027-28, individuals and HUFs not requiring audit file by 31 July 2027. Dates below are as published by the Income Tax Department and current as of 17 August 2026.
What are the deadlines?
| Deadline | Date | Who it applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return, no audit | 31 July 2027 | Individuals and HUFs | incometax.gov.in |
| Return, audit cases | 31 October 2027 | Businesses requiring audit | incometax.gov.in |
| Return, transfer pricing | 30 November 2027 | Transfer pricing cases | incometax.gov.in |
| Belated or revised return | 31 December 2027 | Anyone who missed or erred | incometax.gov.in |
| Updated return, ITR-U | Up to 48 months from the end of the AY | With additional tax | incometax.gov.in |
| E-verification | 30 days from submitting | Every e-filed return | DGIT(Systems) Notification 05/2022 |
| Late filing fee | ₹5,000, or ₹1,000 if income is ₹5,00,000 or less | Returns filed after the due date | Income Tax Act, Section 234F |
How do you file, step by step?
| # | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Collect your documents. | Form 16 from your employer, interest certificates, capital gains statements from your broker, and rent or loan certificates. |
| 2 | Reconcile with Form 26AS and the AIS. | Both are on the portal. Any income the department already knows about is in there. Mismatches are the main trigger for notices. |
| 3 | Log in at incometax.gov.in | with your PAN as the user ID. PAN must be linked with Aadhaar. |
| 4 | Pick the right form. | This depends on your income sources, not your income level alone. See which ITR form should you file. |
| 5 | Choose your tax regime. | Compare both before you commit. Use the old vs new regime calculator. |
| 6 | Check the pre-filled data. | The portal pre-fills salary, TDS and some interest. It is a starting point, not a return. Add anything missing. |
| 7 | Claim your deductions and pay any balance tax | before submitting. Self-assessment tax paid late attracts interest. |
| 8 | Submit, then e-verify within 30 days. | Aadhaar OTP is the fastest route. Net banking, demat and bank account EVC also work. |
Do not skip step two. The annual information statement now captures interest, dividends, securities transactions, large deposits and property purchases. Filing a return that contradicts it is the most reliable way to get a notice. See Form 16 and 26AS.
What happens if you do not e-verify?
Under DGIT(Systems) Notification 05 of 2022, dated 29 July 2022, the time limit to verify a return is 30 days from filing. Verify within 30 days and the date of upload counts as the filing date. Verify later and the date of verification becomes the filing date.
The consequence is blunt. If you uploaded on 25 July and verified in September, your return is treated as filed in September, which is after the due date. The Section 234F fee then applies, and any refund is delayed. People who submit and forget lose their on-time status this way every year.
What does filing late cost?
The Section 234F fee is ₹5,000, reduced to ₹1,000 where total income is ₹5,00,000 or less. No fee applies if your income is below the basic exemption limit.
Interest is separate and often larger. Section 234A runs on unpaid tax from the due date. Sections 234B and 234C run on advance tax shortfalls. Paying the tax on time and filing late is much cheaper than filing late with tax outstanding. See advance tax.
There is a further cost that is easy to miss. Losses cannot be carried forward if the return is filed after the due date, except for loss from house property. If you have capital losses to carry forward, filing on time is worth far more than the fee.
Should you file even if you owe nothing?
Often yes. File to claim a refund of TDS deducted on interest or salary. File to carry forward a capital loss. File to build a record for visa or loan applications.
Filing is also mandatory in several cases regardless of income level, including where you hold foreign assets or have signing authority in a foreign account. If you are unsure, filing costs nothing and closes the question.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still file after 31 July?
Yes, as a belated return until 31 December 2027 for AY 2027-28, with the Section 234F fee and interest. Beyond that, an updated return under ITR-U is available for up to 48 months from the end of the assessment year, with additional tax. See revised and updated returns.
How do I e-verify my return?
Aadhaar OTP is the quickest, provided your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar. Net banking, bank account EVC, demat account EVC and a digital signature all work. A signed physical ITR-V can be posted to CPC Bengaluru, but it must reach within the same 30 days.
Can I change my tax regime while filing?
Salaried taxpayers without business income may choose the regime at the time of filing, each year. Those with business income face restrictions on switching back. Compare both before you submit.
What if I made a mistake in my return?
File a revised return. For AY 2027-28 the window runs to 31 December 2027. A revised return replaces the original entirely, so file it complete.
When will my refund arrive?
Refunds are processed after the return is verified and assessed, and paid to a pre-validated bank account. An unverified return is not processed at all. See income tax refund.
Sources
- Income Tax Department, e-filing portal and return due dates for AY 2027-28, as of 17 August 2026. incometax.gov.in
- DGIT(Systems) Notification No. 05 of 2022 dated 29 July 2022 — 30-day time limit for verification of returns.
- Income Tax Act, 1961, Sections 234A, 234B, 234C and 234F. incometaxindia.gov.in
Related reading
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