Made a mistake while filing your ITR? Don't worry; there is still a chance to rectify it.
Wrong ITR Form: If you filed your Income Tax Return (ITR) in haste and later realized you selected the wrong ITR form, there is no need to panic. However, ignoring the issue is not advisable either.
Wrong ITR Form: Filing the wrong ITR form can lead to your return being classified as 'defective' or 'invalid.' This can directly impact your tax refund—causing delays or triggering a notice from the Income Tax Department. In some cases, your return might even be treated as if it were never filed at all. Therefore, the best course of action is to rectify the error as soon as you become aware of it.
Can the wrong ITR form be changed?
Yes, absolutely. Even if you have already verified your filed ITR, you can select the correct form by filing a 'revised return' under Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act. According to Mumbai-based Chartered Accountant Pravin Kakde, a revised return replaces the original one. For instance, if someone mistakenly filed ITR-1 when they should have filed ITR-2 (due to capital gains), they can correct this error by filing a revised return. However, if the Income Tax Department issues a notice regarding a 'defective return' under Section 139(9), you must first respond to that specific notice within the stipulated timeframe. In such a scenario, instead of simply filing a revised return, you must rectify the specific defect mentioned in the notice; failure to do so could render the return invalid. Chartered Accountant Shreya Gupta Goyal also notes that if the original return has been successfully filed and verified, the error can usually be corrected via a revised return. However, if the defect cited in a Section 139(9) notice is not rectified on time—especially after the deadline for the original return has passed—the return may be deemed invalid.
How many times can a revised return be filed?
Many people believe that a revised return can be filed only once, but that is not the case. The Income Tax Act does not specify a limit on the number of times a revised return can be filed. This means you can make corrections more than once if needed, provided it is done within the stipulated timeframe. However, Pravin Kakde advises against making frequent changes. It is better to rectify all errors at once and file a single revised return; this also reduces the likelihood of unnecessary scrutiny.
What is the new deadline and the applicable fee?
The deadline for filing revised returns has been extended in the 2026 Budget. For the Assessment Year 2026-27, a revised return can now be filed up to March 31, 2027. Previously, the deadline was December 31. However, this extended timeframe does not come without a cost.
| When to File a Revised Return? | Fee Payable |
|---|---|
| Up to 31 December 2026 | No fee |
| 1 January to 31 March 2027 | ₹5,000 |
| If total income is up to ₹5 lakh | ₹1,000 fee |
Tax experts advise trying to file the revised return by December 31, 2026. The extra time available until March is meant to be used only when necessary; do not view it as a free extension.
What happens if the error is not rectified?
If you do not correct an incorrect ITR form, you may face several difficulties:
- Your return could be declared defective or invalid.
- There could be a delay in receiving your tax refund.
- You might receive a notice from the Income Tax Department.
- You may have to pay interest and penalties.
- You will lose out on tax benefits associated with filing a valid return on time.
- The benefit of carrying forward capital losses and business losses to the next year could be lost.
- If the error is not rectified within the stipulated time, the return may be treated as if it were never filed.
If the deadline for filing a revised return also passes, the only remaining option is to file an updated return (ITR-U). However, this involves paying additional tax over and above the regular tax and interest.
