ITR Deadline Missed on December 31? Here’s How You Can Still Get Your Tax Refund in 2026

By Siddhi Jain | Jan 2, 2026, 08:42 IST

Missing the December 31 deadline for filing a belated or revised Income Tax Return (ITR) can be stressful, especially if you were expecting a tax refund. However, the situation is not as bleak as it may seem. Even after the deadline has passed, the option to receive your rightful refund is not completely closed—provided certain conditions are met.

If you had already filed your ITR for Assessment Year 2025–26 on time and are eligible for a refund, there are still a few legitimate routes through which the refund may reach you in 2026.

What Changed After December 31?

Until December 31, taxpayers had two major options:

Filing a belated return if the original return was not filed on time
Filing a revised return to correct mistakes or omissions in an already filed return

From January 1, 2026, both these options are no longer available for AY 2025–26. This rule applies even if the Income Tax Department has not yet processed your return. However, the closure of these options does not automatically mean the loss of a valid tax refund.

Can You Still Get a Tax Refund?

Yes. If your ITR was filed within the prescribed timeline and you are legally entitled to a refund, the Income Tax Department can still process your return and issue the refund even after December 31. The key factor is whether the return was filed on time.

The method to resolve refund-related issues now depends on the processing stage of your return and the nature of the error, if any.

Rectification Under Section 154: The Most Important Option

If your return has already been processed and you have received an intimation under Section 143(1), it is essential to review it carefully. In many cases, refunds are delayed or reduced due to:

TDS or TCS mismatch
Incorrect tax or interest calculation
Mathematical or clerical errors
Incorrect loss carry-forward

In such cases, taxpayers can file a rectification request under Section 154. This process is fully online and available on the income tax e-filing portal even after December 31.

Rectification is currently the most effective way to correct errors and ensure the correct refund amount is issued in 2026.

If Your Return Is Still Under Processing

If your ITR status shows “Under Processing”, there is no immediate cause for concern. The Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) has a defined time frame to process returns and issue intimations.

If no discrepancies are found, the refund—along with applicable interest—will be credited automatically. In case of excessive delay, taxpayers may raise a grievance through the e-filing portal or the CPGRAMS platform.

What About Filing an Updated Return (ITR-U)?

Taxpayers can still file an Updated Return (ITR-U) after January 1, but this option has strict limitations. ITR-U can only be used to:

Declare additional income
Correct under-reporting of income

It cannot be used to claim a new refund or increase an existing refund amount. In fact, filing ITR-U usually involves paying additional tax and interest, making it unsuitable for refund-related corrections.

What Is No Longer Possible?

After December 31:

You cannot revise deductions or exemptions to increase refunds
You cannot reduce tax liability through a revised return
Filing a belated return for AY 2025–26 is no longer allowed

Any correction aimed at increasing refunds is now limited to rectification or, in rare cases, departmental approval.

What Should Taxpayers Do Now?

Check your ITR status on the income tax portal immediately
Review the intimation notice carefully once issued
File a rectification request promptly if discrepancies are found
Ensure your bank account is correctly linked and verified to avoid refund delays

Bottom Line

Missing the December 31 deadline does restrict your options, but it does not automatically eliminate your tax refund. If you filed your return on time, rectification and processing routes remain open in 2026. Acting promptly and monitoring your ITR status is crucial to ensure that your refund reaches you without unnecessary delay.