New Delhi: More than 5.9 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) were filed for the Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27 by the July 31 deadline, according to the Income Tax Department. The milestone reflects strong taxpayer compliance for the financial year 2025-26, even as the government has not announced any extension of the filing deadline for eligible individual taxpayers.
The update comes after weeks of speculation about a possible extension due to heavy traffic on the e-filing portal. However, the department has maintained that July 31 remained the due date for salaried individuals and other non-audit cases, while taxpayers in categories with extended statutory timelines continue to have later deadlines.
Over 5.9 crore returns filed
In a post on social media platform X, the Income Tax Department thanked taxpayers for their timely compliance.
The department said over 5.9 crore ITRs had been filed by July 31, 2026, describing taxpayers’ trust and timely filing as an important contribution to India’s growth and tax administration.
Officials said the figure represents returns filed for AY 2026-27, corresponding to income earned during the financial year 2025-26.
No announcement on deadline extension
Despite widespread expectations among some taxpayers, no official extension of the July 31 deadline has been announced.
The Income Tax Department has not issued any notification changing the due date for individuals required to file ITR-1 or ITR-2. Tax experts had earlier suggested that while an extension remained possible, taxpayers should not wait for one unless officially notified.
Different deadlines for different taxpayers
While July 31 marked the due date for most salaried individuals and non-audit cases, other taxpayer categories continue to have additional time under existing rules.
Taxpayers filing ITR-3 and ITR-4 in eligible non-audit cases have later deadlines, while businesses and entities requiring tax audits are subject to separate statutory filing schedules.
What happens if you missed July 31?
Taxpayers who missed the July 31 deadline can still file a belated return, subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act.
However, late filing may attract a fee under Section 234F, interest on unpaid tax liabilities, delayed refunds and restrictions on carrying forward certain losses. Experts advise eligible taxpayers to file as early as possible instead of delaying further.
Strong taxpayer compliance
Crossing the 5.9-crore mark demonstrates continued growth in India’s tax compliance ecosystem.
The increasing adoption of the Income Tax Department’s online filing platform, combined with improved digital services and pre-filled return forms, has made filing easier for millions of taxpayers across the country. The government has consistently encouraged timely filing to enable faster processing of refunds and reduce last-minute congestion on the portal.
Portal continues to process returns
The e-filing portal remains operational for taxpayers who are still eligible to file under later deadlines or through the belated return mechanism.
Tax professionals have advised taxpayers to verify their filed returns promptly after submission, as filing alone does not complete the process. Electronic verification or physical verification, where applicable, is necessary for processing the return.
Conclusion
With more than 5.9 crore ITRs filed by July 31, the Income Tax Department has recorded another significant milestone in taxpayer compliance for AY 2026-27. As of now, there is no official extension of the July 31 deadline for eligible individual taxpayers, and those who missed it should consider filing a belated return to minimise penalties and other consequences.