Filing your income tax return (ITR) on time is crucial to avoid penalties, interest, and compliance issues. Yet, many taxpayers may either miss deadlines or remain unaware of the multiple timelines that apply to them.
For FY 2025–26 (AY 2026–27), the Income Tax Department has prescribed several key dates based on the type of taxpayer and filing requirements. However, these deadlines may change if the department issues any extensions.
The due date for filing your ITR varies depending on your category—whether you are a salaried individual, business owner, or subject to audit.
Here’s a detailed guide to the key income tax deadlines every taxpayer should keep in mind this year.
Source: Tax2Win
Advance tax and TDS deadlines
Apart from ITR filing, taxpayers must also track advance tax and TDS-related deadlines to remain compliant.
| Category | Particulars | Due Date |
| Advance Tax | 1st Installment (15%) | 15 June 2025 |
| 2nd Installment (45%) | 15 September 2025 | |
| 3rd Installment (75%) | 15 December 2025 | |
| 4th Installment (100%) | 15 March 2026 | |
| TDS/TCS Return | Q1 (Apr – Jun 2025) | 31 July 2025 |
| Q2 (Jul – Sep 2025) | 31 October 2025 | |
| Q3 (Oct – Dec 2025) | 31 January 2026 | |
| Q4 (Jan – Mar 2026) | 31 May 2026 | |
| TDS/TCS Payment | Monthly deposit | 7th of next month (30 April for March) |
Source: Tax2Win
Difference between belated, revised, and updated returns
If you happen to miss the original ITR filing deadline or make a mistake in your return, the Income-tax Act gives you options to stay on track through belated, revised ITR. If you’ve missed reporting any income and want to do so after the deadline for filing a belated and revised ITR has passed, you can go ahead and file an updated return (ITR-U).
A belated return can be filed under Section 139(4) if the original deadline is missed, although it may attract a penalty under Section 234F along with applicable interest.
If there is any error or omission in the original return, taxpayers can file a revised return under Section 139(5) to correct details such as unreported income or missing information. However, any additional tax liability arising from such corrections must be paid along with applicable interest.
Beyond these timelines, taxpayers can opt for an updated return (ITR-U), introduced in Budget 2022, to disclose missed income or correct filings even after the belated and revised return window has closed.
| Parameter | Belated ITR | Revised ITR | Updated ITR (ITR‑U) |
| Purpose / when used | Filed after missing the original due date (late filing). | Filed to correct an error/omission in an already-filed return (original or belated). | Filed to voluntarily disclose missed income / under-reporting even after belated/revised window (subject to conditions). |
| Section | Section 139(4) | Section 139(5) | Section 139(8A) read with Section 140B |
| Can be filed if earlier return not filed? | Yes (this itself is the late return). | No—revision requires an earlier return to exist. | Yes, in many cases (subject to restrictions/conditions). |
| Time limit (for FY 2025–26 / AY 2026–27) | Generally up to 31 March 2027 or before completion of assessment (whichever is earlier). | Generally up to 31 March 2027 or before completion of assessment (whichever is earlier). | Generally up to 31 March 2031 (up to 48 months from end of AY), subject to conditions. |
| Fees / additional tax | Late fee under Section 234F may apply (typically ₹5,000; restricted to ₹1,000 if total income ≤ ₹5 lakh), plus interest if tax is payable. | No separate fee for revision, but late fee/interest (if applicable due to late original filing) may still apply; additional tax (if any) plus interest must be paid. | Additional tax under Section 140B (currently 25% of the aggregate tax and interest if filed within 12 months, 50% if filed within 24 months, and 60% if filed within 36 months or 70% if filed within 48 months from the end of the relevant assessment year, as applicable), along with late fee, if any, may also apply depending on the case |
| Key limitations / notes | Certain losses may not be eligible for carry forward; filing late can attract interest and late fee. | Revised return replaces the earlier return with corrected details. | Cannot be used to reduce tax, claim/increase refund, or create/increase a loss; restricted in certain scrutiny/search/prosecution scenarios. |
Source: CA Hitesh Jain, Partner – Direct Tax, N. A. Shah Associates LLP
Understanding income tax deadlines and the options available if you miss them is essential for staying compliant and avoiding unnecessary penalties.
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