ITR Filing Deadline: Only 2 days left! Failure to file the return by August 31 could result in a penalty of ₹5,000.

ITR Filing Deadline: The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns is fast approaching. Taxpayers may have to pay a late fee if they do not file their returns by August 31. Therefore, to avoid last-minute hassles, it is advisable to keep the necessary documents ready and file the ITR promptly.

ITR Filing Deadline: The last date to file the Income Tax Return is August 31. It is mandatory for taxpayers to file their ITR by this date. Time is running out; missing the deadline could lead to the burden of interest in addition to the late fee. If you are facing issues related to return filing, e-verification, refunds, or technical glitches, the Income Tax Department has made a 24x7 helpline facility available until the night of August 31.

Missing the deadline could attract a late fee of up to ₹5,000.

If the ITR is not filed by the due date, a 'Belated Return' can be filed later; however, a late fee may apply. According to the Income Tax Department, a fee of up to ₹5,000 may be charged for filing a delayed return if the total income exceeds ₹5 lakh. For total income up to ₹5 lakh, the late fee is ₹1,000.

24x7 assistance available for ITR filing.

To assist taxpayers during these final days, the Income Tax Department has made the support lines for e-Filing and the Centralized Processing Center (CPC) available round-the-clock.

This facility commenced at 8:00 AM on August 24 and will continue until 11:59 PM on August 31. Taxpayers can seek assistance regarding issues related to ITR filing, refunds, intimations, rectifications, and other processing matters through this service.

How to file ITR?

To file the return, first log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal. Next, go to the 'e-File' section, select 'Income Tax Returns', and then choose the 'File Income Tax Return' option.
After that, select the relevant assessment year and the applicable ITR form.
Carefully review the pre-filled information on the portal.
Submit the return only after verifying details related to your income, bank account, TDS, tax credit, investments, and deductions.
Forms ranging from ITR-1 to ITR-7 are available for AY 2026-27.

Do not forget to e-Verify after submitting the ITR.

Merely submitting the return does not complete the process; verifying the ITR is also essential. Taxpayers can verify the return electronically or submit the ITR-V as per the prescribed procedure. Failure to verify on time can hinder the processing of the return.

How to check Refund and ITR status?

After filing the return, taxpayers can view their ITR status on the e-Filing portal by clicking on 'Know Your ITR Status'.
If discrepancies regarding tax credit or other details are found after the return is processed, a 'Rectification Request' can be filed if necessary.
According to the Income Tax Department, the e-Filing and CPC support lines will remain available 24x7 until 11:59 PM on August 31, 2026.

Waiting until the last day could prove costly.

If you have not yet filed your ITR, it is better to file it early rather than waiting until the last day. Last-minute issues such as heavy traffic on the portal, missing documents, or errors in tax-related information can cause complications. Before filing the return, ensure you cross-check details from Form 26AS, AIS, TDS, and your bank records.