The Income Tax Department has clarified that the due date for filing certain Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for Assessment Year 2026-27 is 31 July 2026. Taxpayers falling under ITR-1, ITR-2, specified categories of ITR-5, and certain ITR-7 filers must ensure that their returns are filed by the prescribed due date to avoid interest, late fees, and other consequences under the Income-tax Act.
Which ITR Forms Have a Due Date of 31 July 2026?
The following Income Tax Return forms are required to be filed on or before 31 July 2026:
ITR-1 (Sahaj)
Individuals having income from:
- Salary or pension
- One house property
- Other sources (such as interest)
- Agricultural income up to the prescribed limit
and otherwise eligible to file ITR-1.
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ITR-2
Applicable to individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) who:
- Are not eligible to file ITR-1;
- Do not have income from business or profession; and
- May have capital gains, multiple house properties, foreign assets, or other specified income.
ITR-5 (Specified Non-Business Cases)
The due date of 31 July 2026 also applies to certain ITR-5 filers having no business income, including:
- Societies having no business income.
- Partnership firms having Nil business income and Nil balance sheet, such as firms where the business has not yet commenced.
Entities with business income or audit requirements may be subject to different due dates.
ITR-7 (Specified Trusts and Institutions)
The 31 July 2026 due date is also applicable to certain ITR-7 filers, including:
- Charitable trusts or societies where registration under Section 12A/12AB has not been obtained.
Trusts enjoying registration under Sections 12A/12AB and those requiring audit may have different compliance timelines depending on their circumstances.
Why Filing Before the Due Date Matters
Taxpayers should avoid waiting until the last few days to file their returns. Filing within the due date helps in:
- Avoiding late filing fees.
- Preventing interest liability on unpaid taxes.
- Faster processing of income tax refunds.
- Maintaining a clean compliance record.
- Avoiding restrictions that may arise in relation to carrying forward eligible losses.
Taxpayers Should Verify Their Eligibility
Before selecting an ITR form, taxpayers should carefully verify their eligibility based on:
- Nature of income.
- Status of business or profession.
- Audit applicability.
- Registration status in the case of trusts and societies.
Using the correct return form is essential to ensure that the return is validly filed and processed without unnecessary notices or defects.
Conclusion
With the 31 July 2026 deadline approaching, taxpayers eligible to file ITR-1, ITR-2, specified non-business ITR-5 returns, and certain ITR-7 returns should complete their filing well in advance. Early filing not only reduces last-minute technical issues but also facilitates quicker processing of refunds and smoother tax compliance.
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