Consequences of Missing Income Tax Return Filing Deadlines
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Due Dates for Income Tax Return Filing: Audit vs Non-Audit Cases (FY26)
Income Tax Return Filing Due Dates: Audit vs Non‑Audit Cases FY 2025–26 (AY 2026–27)
List of due dates for Original, Revised/Belated, and Updated Income Tax Return (ITR‑U) returns for FY 2025‑26. Due Dates by Category of Taxpayer for FY 2025–26 (Assessment Year 2026–27)
| Category of Taxpayer | Due Date (Original Return) |
| Company (whether tax audit | 31 October 2026 |
| Non‑company assessee whose accounts are subject to tax audit | 31 October 2026 |
| Partner of a firm where tax audit is applicable | 31 October 2026 |
| Assessee including partner’s firm or spouse, where report | 30 November 2026 |
| Assessees NOT requiring tax audit (Individuals, HUF, etc.) | 31 July 2026 |
| Revised Return | 31 December 2026 |
| Belated Return | 31 December 2026 |
| Updated Income Tax Return (ITR‑U) | Up to 31 March 2031 |
- Non‑Audit Cases : Individuals, HUFs, and others not requiring audit must file Income Tax Return by 31 July 2026.
- Audit Cases : All audit‑required taxpayers (companies, firms, partners, certain assessees) must file by 31 October 2026.
- Transfer Pricing or Section 172 Cases : Due date extends to 30 November 2026.
- Revised & Belated Income Tax Returns : Both can be filed up to 31 December 2026.
- Updated Income Tax Return (ITR‑U) : May be filed up to 31 March 2031 (4 years from the end of Assessment Year 2026‑27)
Understanding Deadlines, Rules & Consequences of Revised Return vs Updated Income Tax Return (ITR‑U)
Revised Return (Section 139(5)) : A revised return allows the assessee to correct mistakes or omissions in the originally filed income tax return, such as missed deductions, incorrect income details, or wrong claims.
Due Date for Revised Return : 31st March of the next Assessment Year. This allows full correction without penalties, provided it is filed before the deadline.
Updated Return (ITR‑U)—Section 139(8A)
If you miss the due date for both revised and belated returns, you can still file an updated return.
Time Limit : Within 48 months (4 years) from the end of the relevant Assessment Year. Key Rules for Updated Return
- Can be filed whether or not an earlier return was filed.
- Cannot claim any new benefits (e.g., new deductions, losses, exemptions) not claimed earlier.
- Only increases in income or correction of errors resulting in additional tax liability are allowed.
- An Updated Return cannot be revised again.
When Can an Updated Return Not Be Filed ?
An Updated Return cannot be filed If in the lists several restrictions are mentioned here under :
- It is a return of loss. It reduces tax liability. It results in a refund or increases the refund.
- A search (Sec 132), requisition (132A), or survey (133A) is conducted for that year, then AO has information under the PMLA, Black Money Act, Benami Act, and SAFEMA.
- AO receives info under DTAA/TIEA.
- In case prosecution is initiated.
- Assessment or reassessment is pending or completed.
- A notice under 148A issued beyond 36 months (unless dropped under 148A(3)).
- The updated return for that year is already filed once (cannot revise again).
Curative Updated Return Requirement
If filing an updated return reduces carried‑forward items such as business loss, unabsorbed depreciation, and MAT/AMT credit. Then the taxpayer must also file updated returns for subsequent years where these amounts are affected.
Consequences of Missing Income Tax Return Filing Deadlines
Loss of Carry‑Forward Benefits : If you miss the due date: Taxpayer cannot carry forward losses such as Business loss, Capital loss (sale of property, shares, mutual funds, etc.), Loss from house property (except certain cases). This affects future tax planning and potential savings.
Late Fee under Section 234F : Late Fee (234F) is payable only if original return wasn’t filed earlier.
| Total Income | Late Fee |
| Above INR 5,00,000 | INR 5,000 |
| Up to INR 5,00,000 | INR 1,000 |
Self‑Assessment Tax : Calculated after considering Advance tax, TDS/TCS, Sec 89 relief, Foreign tax credit and MAT/AMT credit
Interest
Interest under Section 234A : If you file after the due date : Interest @ 1% per month or part month, and Calculated on the unpaid tax amount
- Sec 234A – Interest from original due date till date of updated filing.
- Sec 234B – Interest from 1st April of AY to date of paying assessed tax.
- Sec 234C – Advance‑tax shortfall interest (based on updated income).
- Interest on “additional tax” is not levied.
Additional Tax : Based on when the Updated Return is filed:
| Filing Time (from end of AY) | Additional Tax % |
| 0–12 months | 25% |
| 12–24 months | 50% |
| 24–36 months | 60% |
| 36–48 months | 70% |
Impact on Financial Reputation : Late filing of an income tax return can result in:
Loan Processing Delays : Banks often check tax compliance. Late filing signals poor financial discipline.
VISA Processing Issues : Many embassies look at timely tax compliance as part of background checks.
Reduced Credibility : Consistently delayed filing may affect your overall financial profile.
Updated Return (ITR‑U)—Summary as per Finance Act 2025
Updated Return: An updated return allows a taxpayer to file a return within 48 months (4 years) from the end of the relevant assessment year even if no ITR was filed earlier. It is introduced to promote voluntary tax compliance and can be filed regardless of whether an original, belated, or revised return was filed earlier, except in restricted situations.
- ITR‑U is a last chance to correct income even after all deadlines are over.
- It is beneficial only when tax payable increases — not for claiming refunds.
- You must ensure no ongoing assessment or information proceedings exist.
- Interest and additional tax can sometimes be substantial; careful computation is needed.
Summary Table
| Topic | Revised Income Tax Return | Updated Income Tax Return (ITR‑U) |
| Purpose | Correct mistakes in filed Income Tax Return | File return even after all deadlines lapsed |
| Time Limit | Up to 31 March of next AY | Up to 48 months/4 years from end of AY |
| Can reduce tax? | Yes | No new benefits or reductions allowed |
| Can I increase the refund? | Yes | No |
| Revisable? | Yes | No |
| When used? | For correcting errors | For missed returns or major omissions |
Other updates about the updated return (ITR‑U)
- Updated Return via DSC is required for → Company + Political Party (Option C)
- An updated return cannot be filed when → Refund, Search, Survey (All of these)
- Can an updated return be revised? → No
- Curative updated return required when → Losses / Depreciation / MAT-AMT credit reduced (All)
- Assessment time limit after ITR‑U → 9 months
- Additional tax if filed within 12 months → 25%
Time Limit for Filing Updated Return
- The Finance Act 2025 increased the time limit from 24 months to 48 months.
- Example: In FY 2025–26, updated returns can be filed for AY 2024‑25, 2023‑24, 2022‑23, 2021‑22.
Return Filing Requirements
- Must be filed in the relevant ITR form.
- Additional schedules to be filled Part A‑Gen 139(8A) and Part B‑ATI
- Mode of filing:
- Mandatory DSC: Companies, Political parties, and assessees requiring audit.
- Others: DSC or EVC.