IT Return Filing Online: Complete ITR Filing Guide 2026

IT Return Filing in India: The Complete Guide to Filing Your ITR Online (AY 2026-27)

every deadline, form rule, and tax figure in this article is sourced directly from the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal and official government circulars, checked on the date above. Where a rule changed this year, we say so explicitly instead of quietly repeating last year's numbers.

IT return filing is the process of reporting your income, deductions, and tax paid to the Income Tax Department for a financial year, done online through the government's e-filing portal at incometax.gov.in. For most salaried individuals and non-audit taxpayers, the due date for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27 already fell on 31 July 2026, and if you haven't filed yet, you can still do so as a belated return before 31 December 2026, with a late fee attached.

Quick Answer: Key Takeaways

What Is IT Return Filing and Who Must File It

An Income Tax Return, commonly shortened to ITR, is a form you submit to the Income Tax Department declaring the income you earned, the deductions you're claiming, and the tax already paid on your behalf through TDS or advance tax. IT return filing for income earned in FY 2025-26 (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026) is done under Assessment Year 2026-27, and it must be filed online through the government's e-filing portal.

You are required to file an ITR if your total income before deductions exceeds the basic exemption limit, which is ₹4,00,000 under the new tax regime for FY 2025-26. Filing is also mandatory in several situations regardless of income level: if you've deposited more than ₹1 crore in a current account, spent over ₹2 lakh on foreign travel, paid electricity bills exceeding ₹1 lakh in a year, or held foreign assets or signing authority in a foreign account. Company directors, holders of unlisted equity shares, and anyone wanting to carry forward a business or capital loss must also file, irrespective of income.

Old Tax Regime vs New Tax Regime for FY 2025-26

The new tax regime under Section 115BAC is the default option for FY 2025-26. If you want the old regime instead, with its deductions under Sections 80C, 80D, and HRA exemption, you have to opt out explicitly at the time of filing by submitting Form 10-IEA, if applicable to your category.

Neither regime is universally "better." If your annual investment and deduction claims under the old regime add up to a large figure relative to your income, particularly a home loan or substantial 80C/80D contributions, it's worth computing both ways before you file, since the portal itself shows a comparison once you enter your figures.

Which ITR Form Should You File (ITR-1 to ITR-4)

Choosing the wrong ITR form is one of the most common reasons a return gets marked defective under Section 139(9) by the Centralised Processing Centre, which then forces a correction and delays your refund. AY 2026-27 brought a genuine eligibility change worth knowing before you pick a form: ITR-1 and ITR-4 now cover taxpayers with up to two house properties, up from one previously, and both forms carry a new field for unrealised rent.

If you're unsure whether you fall under ITR-2 or ITR-3, the deciding factor is business or professional income: any of it, even a small side consultancy, pushes you into ITR-3 unless you specifically opt for the presumptive scheme under ITR-4.

IT Return Filing Due Dates for AY 2026-27

As things stand on the date of this update, the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal confirms the AY 2026-27 due date as 31 July 2026 for non-audit ITR-1 and ITR-2 filers, and 31 August 2026 for non-audit ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers, a one-month extension for business and professional taxpayers introduced this year. No further extension has been notified for AY 2026-27 as of this writing, so don't assume the September dates that applied last year (AY 2025-26) carry over automatically.

If your ITR-1/ITR-2 due date of 31 July already passed and you haven't filed, you are not locked out. Move straight to the belated return process covered below rather than waiting for a further extension that may not come.

Documents Required for ITR Filing

Gather these before you start; going back and forth mid-filing is the single biggest cause of abandoned or rushed, error-filled returns.

For everyone:

• PAN and Aadhaar (linked)
• Bank account details (account number, IFSC) for every active account, since disclosure is now mandatory for all accounts held during the year, not just the one for refund credit
• Form 26AS, downloaded fresh from the e-filing portal
• Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS)

If salaried: Form 16 (Parts A and B) from each employer you worked for during FY 2025-26. Employers are generally expected to issue Form 16 by mid-June following the financial year.

If you have investments or deductions to claim under the old regime: proof for Section 80C (life insurance, PPF, ELSS, home loan principal), Section 80D (health insurance premiums), and any home loan interest certificate.

If you have capital gains: broker-issued capital gains statements for shares, mutual funds, or property sale documents.

If you run a business or profession: books of account, audit report (Form 3CA/3CB/3CD) where applicable, and GST returns for reconciliation.

A quick but important habit: don't rely on Form 16 alone. Cross-check every figure against your AIS and Form 26AS before you submit, since the Department's system already has visibility into most of your interest income, dividend income, and high-value transactions, and any mismatch is what typically triggers an automated notice.

How to File ITR Online: Step-by-Step Process

1. Log in to the e-filing portal. Go to incometax.gov.in, use your PAN as the user ID, and log in with your password. First-time users register with PAN and basic contact details.
2. Start a new return. From the dashboard, go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return, then select Assessment Year 2026-27 and choose the online filing mode.
3. Select your ITR form. The portal will show you which forms you're eligible for based on a short questionnaire, or you can pick your form directly if you already know it from the table above.
4. Choose your reason for filing and confirm the applicable checkbox (mandatory filing, voluntary filing, or a specific condition like foreign travel expenditure).
5. Confirm your tax regime. The new regime is pre-selected by default for FY 2025-26. If you want the old regime, select "Yes" to opt out and, where required, submit Form 10-IEA.
6. Review the pre-filled data. Salary, TDS, interest income, and other details are pulled in from Form 26AS and AIS. Check every field against your own records and correct anything that's wrong or missing.
7. Enter remaining income, deduction, and bank details, confirming each section as you go.
8. Review your tax computation. The portal shows whether you owe tax or are due a refund, based on everything entered.
9. Pay any pending tax. Use the "Pay Now" option before submission rather than "Pay Later," since delaying payment can attract interest and the risk of being treated as an assessee in default.
10. Preview, validate, and submit. Fix any errors the validation step flags, then submit the return.
11. E-verify within 30 days. Your ITR is not considered filed until it's verified, either instantly through Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or a bank account EVC, or by posting a signed ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru. Skipping this step is one of the most common reasons a return is treated as not filed at all.

AY 2026-27 vs Tax Year 2026-27: The New Income Tax Act 2025 Transition

This is the part most guides skip, and it's genuinely confusing this year. The Income Tax Act, 2025 came into force on 1 April 2026, replacing the Income Tax Act, 1961. But the return you're filing right now, for income earned in FY 2025-26, is not covered by the new Act at all.

Here's the distinction, straight from the Income Tax Department's own FAQ page: your AY 2026-27 return, covering income earned between April 2025 and March 2026, is filed using the old ITR forms and is governed entirely by the Income Tax Act, 1961, even though you're filing it after the new Act took effect. Separately, a Tax Year 2026-27 return, covering income earned from April 2026 onwards under the new Act's terminology, isn't due until July 2027, and it's a completely independent filing obligation. You are not filing two returns for the same income; these cover two different periods.

This matters practically in a few ways. Any belated, revised, or updated return you file for AY 2026-27, even after April 2026, still follows the old Act's rules and old Act's section numbers, including Section 139(4) for belated filing and Section 139(5) for revision. The tax audit report for AY 2026-27, where applicable, must also be filed in the old Form 3CA/3CB/3CD format. And any losses you're carrying forward from AY 2026-27 continue seamlessly under the new Act's provisions once Tax Year 2026-27 begins, so you don't lose that benefit in the transition.

Belated Return, Revised Return, and Updated Return (ITR-U): What to Do If You Miss the Deadline

If you missed your due date, you have more than one path back into compliance, and each one has a different window and a different purpose.

A belated return does carry real costs beyond the late fee: you generally lose the option to switch to the old tax regime for that year, and most losses, business or capital, cannot be carried forward. If a refund is due to you, filing late simply delays it further, so there's no upside to waiting once you've decided to file.

Common ITR Filing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Filing under the wrong ITR form. This is the leading cause of a return being marked defective. When in doubt between ITR-2 and ITR-3, remember that any business or professional income, even a small one, generally pushes you into ITR-3 unless you're eligible for and choose the presumptive scheme.

Ignoring AIS and Form 26AS mismatches. The Department already has data on your bank interest, dividends, and major transactions. If your return doesn't match what's already on file, expect a notice. Reconcile all three, Form 16, Form 26AS, and AIS, before submitting.

Forgetting to report income from a previous employer. If you changed jobs during FY 2025-26, you need Form 16 from both employers; using only the current one under-reports your income.

Not disclosing all bank accounts. AY 2026-27 rules require details of every active Indian bank account you held during the year, not just the one you want your refund credited to.

Skipping e-verification. A submitted but unverified return is treated as not filed. Complete verification within 30 days.

Choosing a regime without comparing both. The default new regime works well for many taxpayers with few deductions, but if you have a home loan, substantial 80C investments, or health insurance premiums, run the numbers under the old regime too before assuming the default is better for you.

Why You Should File ITR Even If Your Income Is Below the Exemption Limit

Filing isn't only a legal obligation once you cross the threshold; it's often genuinely useful even when it isn't mandatory. A filed ITR is standard supporting documentation for loan applications, visa applications, and credit card approvals, since it's one of the few income proofs banks and embassies consistently accept. If tax was deducted at source on your income, whether interest, freelance payments, or anything else, filing is the only way to actually claim that money back as a refund; the deduction doesn't reverse itself automatically. And if you have a business or capital loss you might want to offset against future income, that carry-forward is only available if you filed your return of loss within the original due date, so skipping filing in a low-income year can quietly cost you a deduction years later.

Conclusion

IT return filing for AY 2026-27 comes down to four things: picking the correct ITR form for your income mix, filing before your applicable due date (31 July or 31 August 2026 depending on your category), reconciling your figures against Form 26AS and AIS before you submit, and completing e-verification within 30 days so the return actually counts as filed. If you've already missed your deadline, the practical next step is straightforward: file a belated return before 31 December 2026 rather than waiting, since the late fee doesn't grow with time but the risk of forgetting does.

Check Now: Income Tax Return filing services

FAQ 

1. What is the last date for IT return filing for AY 2026-27?

31 July 2026 for individuals filing ITR-1 or ITR-2 without a tax audit requirement, and 31 August 2026 for ITR-3 or ITR-4 filers without an audit requirement. Audit cases have until 31 October 2026.

2. What happens if I miss the ITR filing deadline?

You can file a belated return under Section 139(4) any time up to 31 December 2026. You'll pay a late fee under Section 234F, ₹1,000 if your total income is up to ₹5 lakh or ₹5,000 otherwise, plus interest on any unpaid tax, and you generally lose the option to switch to the old tax regime for that year.

3. Which ITR form should I use if I only have salary income?

ITR-1 (Sahaj), provided your total income is up to ₹50 lakh, you have no more than two house properties, and you don't have capital gains beyond ₹1.25 lakh LTCG under Section 112A.

4. Can I file ITR without Form 16?

Yes. Form 16 makes filing easier but isn't mandatory. You can reconstruct your salary and TDS details from payslips, your employment contract, and Form 26AS or AIS.

5. Is filing ITR mandatory if my income is below the taxable limit?

Not by default, but certain conditions still trigger mandatory filing regardless of income, such as depositing over ₹1 crore in a current account, foreign travel spending above ₹2 lakh, or holding foreign assets. Filing voluntarily is also useful for claiming TDS refunds or maintaining income proof for loans and visas.

6. What documents do I need to file ITR online?

At minimum, PAN, Aadhaar, bank account details, Form 26AS, and AIS/TIS. Add Form 16 if salaried, capital gains statements if you sold shares, mutual funds, or property, and 80C/80D proofs if you're claiming deductions under the old regime.

7. How do I check my ITR refund status?

Log in to the e-filing portal and go to the "Refund/Demand Status" section under your dashboard, or check under "View Filed Returns" once your return has been processed.

8. What is the difference between the old and new tax regime?

The new regime, the default for FY 2025-26, offers lower slab rates and a higher rebate ceiling (income up to ₹12 lakh is effectively tax-free) but disallows most deductions. The old regime allows deductions like 80C, 80D, and HRA but taxes income at higher rates beyond a lower exemption limit.

9. What is the difference between Form 26AS and AIS?

Form 26AS is primarily a tax credit statement, showing TDS, TCS, and taxes paid against your PAN. AIS (Annual Information Statement) is broader, covering interest, dividends, mutual fund transactions, property deals, and other financial data the Department has on file for you.

10. Can I revise my ITR after filing it?

Yes. A revised return under Section 139(5) can be filed if you find an error or omission after submitting your original return, with the deadline for AY 2026-27 currently set at 31 March 2027, though a late fee applies if revised after 31 December 2026.

11. What is a belated return and what is its due date?

A belated return is one filed after the original due date has passed. For AY 2026-27, the belated return deadline is 31 December 2026, and it carries a late fee under Section 234F.

12. What is ITR-U (updated return)?

ITR-U, under Section 139(8A), lets you disclose additional income even after the belated and revised return windows close, within 48 months of the end of the relevant financial year. It cannot be used to increase a refund or reduce your reported tax liability, and it comes with additional tax on top of the regular tax due.

13. How long does it take to get an income tax refund?

Processing times vary, but refunds are typically credited within a few weeks to a couple of months after successful e-verification, provided there are no discrepancies flagged during processing.

14. What is the penalty for late filing of ITR under Section 234F?

₹1,000 if your total income doesn't exceed ₹5 lakh, and ₹5,000 in all other cases, applicable once you file after the original due date.

15. Do I need a CA to file my ITR?

Not for straightforward salary or single-source income filed under ITR-1 or ITR-2; the portal's pre-filled data and guided flow handle most of this. A CA becomes genuinely useful if you have business income, multiple capital gains transactions, foreign assets, or complex deduction claims.

16. What is e-verification and how do I e-verify my ITR?

E-verification confirms that the return you submitted is authentically yours. You can do it instantly through Aadhaar OTP, net banking, a bank account EVC, or by sending a signed physical ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru. It must be completed within 30 days of filing, or your return is treated as not filed.

17. Can NRIs file ITR online through the e-filing portal?

Yes, NRIs file through the same portal, generally using ITR-2 or ITR-3 depending on their income sources, since ITR-1 and ITR-4 are restricted to residents.

18. What is the difference between AY 2026-27 and Tax Year 2026-27?

AY 2026-27 covers income earned in FY 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026) and is filed under the old Income Tax Act, 1961, due in 2026. Tax Year 2026-27 covers income earned from April 2026 onward under the new Income Tax Act, 2025, and isn't due for filing until July 2027. They are separate obligations covering separate periods.

19. What happens if I file the wrong ITR form?

Your return can be treated as defective under Section 139(9). The Department issues a notice giving you a window to correct and refile using the right form; failing to respond in time can result in the return being treated as invalid.

20. Can I switch between the old and new tax regime every year?

Salaried individuals and pensioners without business income can switch regimes each year when filing. Those with business or professional income have more limited switching rights, generally allowed to switch back to the old regime only once after opting for the new one.

21. What is the due date for ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers for AY 2026-27?

31 August 2026 for non-audit cases, a change introduced this year that gives business and professional filers an extra month compared to salaried ITR-1/ITR-2 filers.

22. Is a tax audit required for business income, and what is that deadline?

A tax audit is generally required once business turnover or professional receipts cross prescribed thresholds under Sections 44AB, 44AD, or 44ADA. Where an audit applies, the audit report is due one month before the ITR due date, and the return itself is due by 31 October 2026 (or 30 November 2026 for transfer pricing cases).

23. What if there's a mismatch between my ITR and my AIS or Form 26AS?

Reconcile the difference before filing wherever possible. If the AIS entry itself is wrong, you can submit feedback correcting it directly on the AIS portal rather than adjusting your return to match an inaccurate statement.