What is the penalty for filing ITR late?

A late fee under Section 234F of ₹5,000 (₹1,000 if total income is up to ₹5 lakh), plus 1% per month interest on unpaid tax under Sections 234A/B/C, and loss of the right to carry forward business and capital losses. You can still file a belated return by 31 December.

What is the ITR due date for AY 2026-27?

31 July 2026 for individuals and non-audit cases, 31 October 2026 for audit cases, and 30 November 2026 for transfer-pricing cases. A belated or revised return can be filed up to 31 December 2026.

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Income Tax · ITR filing · Deadlines

ITR filing deadline & late penalties — dates, fees and interest

✍️ Answered by EaseValue Advisors · Updated 18 Jul 2026 · 5-min read

Quick answer

Miss the ITR deadline and you face a late fee up to ₹5,000 (Section 234F), 1%/month interest on unpaid tax (234A/B/C), and you lose the right to carry forward losses. You can still file a belated return by 31 December, or an updated return (ITR-U) later with extra tax.

Key takeaway

File by 31 July (non-audit individuals) to avoid fees, interest and the loss of carry-forward. Missed it? File a belated return by 31 December with a late fee — don't just skip filing.

The due dates — AY 2026-27 (FY 2025-26)

Who	Due date
Individuals / non-audit	31 July 2026
Tax-audit report (3CA/3CB-3CD)	30 September 2026
Audit cases (ITR)	31 October 2026
Transfer-pricing cases	30 November 2026
Belated / revised return	31 December 2026
Updated return (ITR-U)	within ~4 years of the AY-end

The late fee — Section 234F

₹5,000 if you file after the due date.
₹1,000 only, if your total income is up to ₹5 lakh.
No fee if your income is below the basic exemption (but see the mandatory-filing cases in who must file).

Interest on unpaid tax

234A — late filing: 1%/month on unpaid tax from the due date.
234B — advance tax not paid / under 90%: 1%/month from 1 April.
234C — advance-tax instalments deferred: 1%/month for missing the 15/45/75/100% milestones.

The bigger cost — lost carry-forward

File late and you can't carry forward business or capital losses (house-property loss and unabsorbed depreciation are the exceptions). For traders/investors that can be worth far more than the ₹5,000 fee — see set-off & carry-forward.

Forms required

ITR-1/2/3/4 (per your income), Form 26AS/AIS for TDS, Form 16 for salary, and Form 10E if you claim arrears relief. Pay any balance as self-assessment tax before filing.

Missed the belated window too?

File an Updated Return (ITR-U) — see filing an old year — but it can only declare more income, not claim a refund.

General information based on the Income-tax Act as it stands, not advice on your specific case. Tax outcomes depend on your exact facts and residential status. © EaseValue Advisors LLP.

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