Note these October dates; a moment of negligence could lead to a tax penalty
Income Tax Deadlines October 2026: The CBDT has extended the deadlines for tax audits and ITR filing for the Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27. Take note of all the important dates for October 2026 to avoid paying heavy penalties.
Income Tax Deadlines October 2026: If you are a taxpayer or a businessperson, the month of October is crucial for you. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the deadlines for filing tax audit reports and Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27. However, there have been no changes to other deadlines, such as those for depositing TDS and TCS. Let us look at the important dates you need to remember this month.
What are the new deadlines for tax audits and ITR?
The CBDT has provided significant relief to taxpayers falling under the tax audit category. Previously, the deadline for submitting the tax audit report was September 30, 2026; this has now been extended to October 21, 2026.
Additionally, the deadline for filing ITRs for taxpayers subject to audit has been extended from October 31, 2026, to November 21, 2026. This decision was taken on September 28, 2026. Please note that this relief applies only to taxpayers in the audit category; it does not apply to other mandatory tax-related tasks.
Which tasks need to be completed in the first half of October?
The key deadlines for depositing TDS, TCS, and submitting other government forms during the first two weeks of October are:
October 7:
Deposit of TDS and TCS deducted or collected during September 2026. Depositing TDS for the quarter ending September 2026 (where quarterly payment is permitted).
Uploading details of Form 121 received for the September quarter and Form 127 received from buyers in September.
Submitting Form 137 for TDS/TCS deposited by government offices without a challan.
15 October:
Issuing Form 132 (TDS certificate) for tax deducted in August 2026.
Submitting Form 92 by stock brokers or funds regarding non-residents.
Submitting Form 147 by authorized dealers and Form 148 by IFSC units.
Which dates should be kept in mind at the end of the month?
You need to pay attention to the following dates during the last ten days of the month:
| Date | Important Tax Task |
|---|---|
| October 21 | Revised deadline for submitting the Tax Audit Report (AY 2026–27) |
| October 30 | File Form 141 (Challan-cum-Statement) for tax deducted in September 2026 |
| October 31 | File TDS statements (Forms 140 and 144) and TCS statement (Form 143) for the July–September quarter |
| November 21 | Revised deadline for filing ITR for taxpayers covered under the audit category |
What should taxpayers keep in mind?
Even though the deadlines for tax audits and ITR filing have been extended, this does not mean that other tasks have also been postponed. The due dates for TDS/TCS payments and filing quarterly statements will remain as per the original schedule. Therefore, complete your other tax-related tasks on time to avoid any penalties or interest.
