1. Key dates for AY 2026-27
- 31 July 2026 — last date for most individuals (salaried, pensioners — ITR-1 / ITR-2, no audit).
- 31 August 2026 — for individuals with business/professional income not requiring audit (ITR-3 / ITR-4).
- 31 December 2026 — last date for a belated or revised return (with a late fee under Section 234F).
- Filing after the due date attracts a fee of ₹5,000 (₹1,000 if total income is up to ₹5 lakh), plus interest on any unpaid tax.
2. Which ITR form should you file?
- ITR-1 (Sahaj) — resident individual with salary/pension, one or two house properties, and other income (like interest), total income up to ₹50 lakh. The simplest form for most salaried people.
- ITR-2 — individuals/HUF with no business income but who have capital gains, more than two house properties, foreign income/assets, or income above ₹50 lakh.
- ITR-3 — individuals/HUF with income from business or profession.
- ITR-4 (Sugam) — resident individuals/HUF/firms with presumptive business income (Sections 44AD/44ADA/44AE), total income up to ₹50 lakh.
3. Documents to keep ready
- PAN and Aadhaar (must be linked).
- Form 16 from your employer (salary & TDS details).
- Form 26AS and the AIS / TIS (Annual Information Statement) from the portal — always cross-check these.
- Bank account details (and interest certificates / passbook for savings & FD interest).
- Investment & deduction proofs — 80C (LIC, PPF, ELSS, EPF), 80D (health insurance), home-loan interest, donations, etc. (old regime).
- Capital gains statements from your broker/mutual fund (if any).
4. How to file — step by step
- Step 1. Go to incometax.gov.in and log in with your PAN (user ID) and password. Register first if it's your first time.
- Step 2. Go to e-File › Income Tax Returns › File Income Tax Return. Select AY 2026-27 and mode Online.
- Step 3. Choose your ITR form (the portal suggests one) and your reason for filing.
- Step 4. Pick your tax regime — new (default) or old. Use our Income Tax Calculator to see which is cheaper for you.
- Step 5. Review the pre-filled data (salary, TDS, interest) and match it against Form 26AS and AIS. Correct anything that's wrong and add missing income.
- Step 6. Enter deductions (if old regime), confirm the tax payable or refund, and pay any balance tax.
- Step 7. Submit, then e-verify within 30 days (via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, etc.). Your return isn't valid until it's verified.
5. Old vs new regime — pick the cheaper one
The new regime has lower rates and a big rebate (zero tax up to ₹12 lakh taxable income) but almost no deductions. The old regime lets you claim 80C, 80D, HRA and home-loan interest, so it wins only when your deductions are large. Don't guess — compare both for your numbers before you choose in Step 4.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to file if my income is below the limit?
If your total income is below the basic exemption you may not be required to file, but you should still file to claim a refund of any TDS deducted, or if you meet conditions like high spending or foreign assets.
What if I miss 31 July 2026?
You can still file a belated return up to 31 December 2026 with a late fee (₹1,000–₹5,000) and interest. It's best to file on time to avoid penalties and to carry forward losses.
Is e-verification compulsory?
Yes. If you don't e-verify within 30 days of filing, your return is treated as not filed.
Can I file it myself?
Yes — for a simple salaried return (ITR-1) the portal is straightforward with this guide. For capital gains, business income or anything complex, consider a tax professional.
This guide is for general information for AY 2026-27 and is not professional tax advice. Always verify on the official portal incometax.gov.in and consult a CA for your specific case.