This guide is general information. If you would rather a chartered accountant handled it, see ITR Filing Online.
Missing the ITR due date does not mean you cannot file, but it costs money and can limit some benefits. Here is what applies.
Due dates
| Taxpayer | Usual due date |
|---|---|
| Individuals, HUFs and others not needing audit | 31 July of the assessment year |
| Businesses and professionals needing audit | 31 October of the assessment year |
| Transfer pricing cases | 30 November of the assessment year |
The government sometimes extends these dates. Always confirm the current due date on the e-filing portal.
Late fee under Section 234F
If you file after the due date, a late fee applies: up to ₹5,000, or up to ₹1,000 if your total income is up to ₹5 lakh.
Interest under Section 234A
Interest at 1% per month or part of a month is charged on unpaid tax from the due date until the return is filed.
Other consequences of filing late
- Some losses, such as business and capital losses, cannot be carried forward if the return is filed after the due date
- Certain deductions and exemptions may be restricted
- Refund may be delayed
Your options after the due date
- Belated return: normally allowed until 31 December of the assessment year
- Updated return (ITR-U): allowed within 24 months from the end of the assessment year by paying additional tax
- Revised return: to correct mistakes in a return already filed, before the permitted last date
What to do now
If the date has passed, file as soon as possible. The late fee does not grow with every month, but interest does, and delayed filing can make notices more likely. Speak to a CA if you have capital gains, foreign assets or business income.
Interest you may owe in addition to the late fee
- Section 234A: interest for delay in filing the return, at 1% per month or part of a month on the unpaid tax.
- Section 234B: interest if you did not pay enough advance tax during the year.
- Section 234C: interest for deferment of the individual advance tax instalments.
A simple example
Suppose your tax payable after TDS is ₹40,000 and you file the return two months and ten days after the due date. Interest under Section 234A is roughly 1% of ₹40,000 for three months or parts of months, which is about ₹1,200, and you also pay the late fee under Section 234F. Paying the tax early, even if you cannot file immediately, stops the interest on that part.
Who must file even if they have no tax to pay
- People with income above the basic exemption limit, before deductions
- Those with foreign assets or foreign income
- Directors of companies and holders of unlisted equity shares
- People who made large cash deposits, spent heavily on foreign travel or paid large electricity bills, as per the rules in force
How to avoid missing the date next year
- Gather documents in April and May, when Form 16 and statements are issued.
- Download Form 26AS and AIS in June and check them against your records.
- File by early July instead of waiting for the last week, when the portal is slow.
- If you have capital gains or a business, start in May, because the work takes longer.
Special cases
- Taxpayers who need a tax audit have a later date and should plan their audit earlier.
- Taxpayers with international transactions have a different due date because of the transfer pricing report.
- In some years the government extends due dates for specific classes, and the notification states the new date. Do not assume an extension applies to you without reading it.
If you filed a return on time but made a mistake, you can revise it until the permitted date, which is normally 31 December of the assessment year.
Official sources
The income tax e-filing portal lists the current due dates and any extensions. Section 139 of the Income-tax Act deals with return filing, and Sections 234A, 234B, 234C and 234F deal with interest and the late fee. If you have missed several years, a chartered accountant can tell you which are still open for a belated or updated return and what each will cost.
Frequently asked questions
Can I revise a return after the due date?
Yes, a revised return can be filed up to the permitted date, usually 31 December of the assessment year, if you find an error in the original.
Is the late fee waived if I have no tax to pay?
No. The late fee under Section 234F applies on late filing even if there is no tax due, though the amount is capped at ₹1,000 when total income is up to ₹5 lakh.
What if I forgot to file in an earlier year?
You may still be able to file a belated or updated return, depending on the year. Speak to a CA, because the options and costs differ for each year.
Will a late return delay my refund?
A belated return is processed like any other once filed and verified, but the delay to file means you receive the refund later, and interest on the refund starts from the date of filing in many cases.
This content is for general information and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, rates and due dates change; confirm the current position for your case. Section references are to the Income-tax Act, 1961 unless stated; the Income-tax Act, 2025 applies to later periods with renumbered sections.