If you have not filed your Income Tax Return (ITR) yet, now is the time to act.
The July 31, 2026 deadline for filing ITR for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27 is just around the corner.
The Income Tax Department has urged taxpayers not to wait until the last day, warning that delaying the process could lead to technical issues, portal congestion, and unnecessary stress.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the department reminded taxpayers that putting off filing until “tomorrow” often ends in last-minute panic.
Income Tax Department Urges Taxpayers to File Early
The department has advised eligible taxpayers to file ITR-1 and ITR-2 as soon as possible instead of waiting for the July 31 deadline.
According to the department, filing early can help taxpayers avoid:
Heavy traffic on the income tax portal
Technical glitches during filing
Last-minute mistakes
Unnecessary stress before the deadline
Officials have also asked taxpayers to carefully check all their financial documents before submitting their returns.
Check These Documents Before Filing Your ITR
Before filing your income tax return, make sure all your income details match across different records.
The Income Tax Department recommends verifying:
Form 16
Annual Information Statement (AIS)
Form 26AS
Bank statements
Other income-related documents
Reconciling these documents helps ensure that the information submitted in your ITR is accurate and reduces the chances of errors or notices later.
More Than 4 Crore Returns Already Filed
The Income Tax Department said that more than 4 crore Income Tax Returns have already been filed for AY 2026-27.
Officials have appealed to the remaining taxpayers to complete the process before the deadline to avoid last-minute rush.
The department also highlighted that during FY 2024-25, more than 9 crore taxpayers filed their income tax returns.
Out of these:
8.64 crore returns were successfully e-verified.
Income tax refunds worth ₹4,35,008 crore were issued up to March 31, 2025.
Revised ITR Forms Introduced for AY 2026-27
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has already notified the revised ITR forms for Assessment Year 2026-27.
The updated forms include additional disclosure requirements related to:
Long-term capital gains
Losses from share buybacks
Certain share trading transactions
Taxpayers should ensure they use the correct ITR form and provide all required information while filing.
With only a short time left before the July 31 deadline, eligible taxpayers are advised to file their returns as early as possible to avoid delays and ensure a smooth filing experience.
