Business Desk – ITR Filing Deadline: If you have not yet filed your Income Tax Return (ITR), then today i.e. 31 August 2026 is an important date. Today is the last date to file ITR for some taxpayers of assessment year 2026-27. Especially taxpayers falling in non-audit category will have to file their returns by today.
For which taxpayers is the deadline today?
The August 31 deadline is mainly for those taxpayers in whose case tax audit is not necessary and whose income comes from business or profession. According to the Income Tax Department, concerned taxpayers filing ITR-4 and ITR-3 are required to file returns by August 31, 2026.
What will happen if ITR is not filed today?
If for some reason a taxpayer is not able to file ITR till today, then he can file Belated ITR later. This is filed under Section 139(4) of the Income Tax Act. The last date for filing belated returns is 31 December 2026. However, if the assessment is completed before then, this deadline may end even earlier.
How much late fee will have to be paid?
Late fees under section 234F may be imposed on filing ITR after the deadline. If the total income of the taxpayer does not exceed Rs 5 lakh, the late fee can be up to Rs 1,000. At the same time, if the total income is more than Rs 5 lakh, then late filing of return may attract a late fee of up to Rs 5,000.
If tax is outstanding then interest will also have to be paid
Not just late fees, if the taxpayer has any outstanding tax liability and there is a delay in filing the return, then interest may also have to be paid depending on the period of delay. Therefore, for those taxpayers for whom the deadline of August 31 is applicable, it will be financially beneficial to file ITR today itself.
