ITR Filing 2026: Last Date, New Rules & Which Form to Pick (FY 2025-26)

ITR filing season for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is here, and several things have changed this year — new ITR forms, separate deadlines based on which form you file, ITR-1 now allowing two house properties, and updated rules around PAN, Aadhaar, and the new tax regime.

This guide breaks down everything you need to file correctly — the deadlines, which ITR form to pick, what's new this year, old vs new tax regime, documents you need, and the most common mistakes to avoid.

ITR Filing Last Date for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)

From AY 2026-27 onwards, the deadline depends on which ITR form you file:

• 31 July 2026 — Salaried, pensioners, ITR-1 and ITR-2 filers (non-audit cases)
• 31 August 2026 — Freelancers, professionals, small businesses using ITR-3 or ITR-4
• 31 October 2026 — Businesses requiring tax audit
• 31 December 2026 — Belated returns (penalty applies)
• 31 March 2027 — Revised returns

Which ITR Form Should You File?

ITR-1 (Sahaj) — for most salaried people

File ITR-1 if you are a resident individual with:

• Total income up to ₹50 lakh
• Income from salary or pension
• Income from up to two house properties (newly allowed from AY 2026-27)
• Income from other sources like interest
• Long-term capital gains under Section 112A up to ₹1.25 lakh (newly allowed)
• Agricultural income up to ₹5,000

ITR-2 — if you have capital gains or income above ₹50 lakh

File ITR-2 if you have any of:

• Total income above ₹50 lakh
• Capital gains beyond the ITR-1 limit
• More than two house properties
• Foreign income or foreign assets
• Income as a director in a company

ITR-3 — if you run a business or profession

File ITR-3 if you have income from a business or profession and are not eligible for ITR-1, ITR-2, or ITR-4. This is the most detailed form.

ITR-4 (Sugam) — for presumptive taxation

File ITR-4 if you opt for the presumptive taxation scheme under Section 44AD (small business), 44ADA (professionals), or 44AE (transporters).

What's New in AY 2026-27

• ITR-1 now allows up to two house properties (earlier only one)
• ITR-1 now allows reporting of LTCG under Section 112A up to ₹1.25 lakh
• Co-ownership of house property allowed in ITR-1
• New form-based PAN application system (Form 49A / 49AA replaced)
• Aadhaar no longer accepted as standalone proof of date of birth for PAN
• Deadlines split based on the ITR form you file

Old vs New Tax Regime — Which One to Pick?

From FY 2023-24, the new tax regime is the default. You can still opt for the old regime, but you need to declare it.

New Tax Regime

• Standard deduction of ₹75,000 for salaried
• Lower tax slabs
• Tax rebate available for income up to ₹12 lakh
• Most deductions like 80C, 80D, HRA are not allowed

Old Tax Regime

• Standard deduction of ₹50,000 for salaried
• Allows 80C (₹1.5 lakh), 80D, HRA, LTA, home loan interest up to ₹2 lakh, education loan interest, and more
• Better if your total deductions are large

Documents You Need Before Filing

• PAN and Aadhaar (must be linked)
• Form 16 from your employer
• Form 26AS and AIS (Annual Information Statement) from the income tax portal
• Bank account statements for FY 2025-26
• Interest certificates from banks and post office
• Investment proofs for 80C, 80D, NPS etc. (only if using old regime)
• Home loan interest certificate (if applicable)
• Capital gains statement from your broker (for stocks/mutual funds)
• Rent receipts and rent agreement (for HRA in old regime)

Penalty for Missing the Deadline

If you miss the original due date:

• Late fee of ₹1,000 if your total income is below ₹5 lakh
• Late fee of ₹5,000 if your total income is above ₹5 lakh
• Interest under Section 234A on any unpaid tax
• You cannot carry forward losses (except house property losses)
• You can still file a belated return till 31 December 2026

Common Mistakes While Filing ITR

Picking the wrong ITR form

Filing ITR-1 when you have capital gains above ₹1.25 lakh or more than two house properties makes the return defective — you'll get a notice and have to refile.

Not matching Form 26AS / AIS

Income reported in your ITR must match Form 26AS and AIS. Any mismatch flags the return for scrutiny.

Forgetting to e-verify

Submitting ITR is not enough — you must e-verify within 30 days using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or sending the signed ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru. Unverified returns are treated as not filed.

Not pre-validating bank account

Your refund is credited only to a pre-validated bank account on the e-filing portal. Validate it before filing to avoid refund delays.

Claiming wrong regime by mistake

Since the new regime is now the default, if you forget to opt for the old regime in your ITR, you cannot switch back for that year (unless you have business income, where the rules differ).

Step-by-Step ITR Filing Help

If you are a salaried individual using ITR-1, we have a complete step-by-step guide with real screenshots from the official income tax e-filing portal, in Hindi and English. It walks you through login, pre-filled data verification, regime selection, and e-verification — exactly what to click at each screen.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 changes mostly help honest salaried taxpayers — ITR-1 covers more cases, the new regime is simpler, and pre-filled data on the portal reduces typing. The catch is picking the right form and the right regime, because the deadline now depends on the form.

File early, match every number with Form 26AS, e-verify within 30 days, and you'll usually get your refund within 2-3 weeks.