New Delhi: The Income Tax Department has urged taxpayers to file their Income Tax Returns (ITRs) well before the July 31 deadline, announcing that more than 1.7 crore returns have already been filed for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27.
According to the department, the pace of filing has accelerated significantly in recent days, with more than 10 lakh ITRs submitted on July 10 alone. Officials have advised taxpayers filing ITR-1 and ITR-2 to avoid waiting until the final days to prevent delays caused by heavy traffic on the e-filing portal.
Filing momentum gathers pace
The Income Tax Department said the number of returns being filed has increased steadily as the deadline approaches.
In a post on X, the department stated that over 1.7 crore taxpayers have already completed the filing process for AY 2026-27 and encouraged others to do the same before the July 31, 2026, deadline.
The department also highlighted that more than 10 lakh returns were filed in a single day on July 10, indicating a sharp rise in compliance as the due date nears.
Officials have advised eligible taxpayers to complete the process early to ensure a smoother filing experience and avoid last-minute technical issues.
Department advises early filing
The Income Tax Department has encouraged taxpayers to avoid the rush during the final days of the filing window.
In its message, the department urged taxpayers to “beat the last-minute traffic” by filing their returns in advance rather than waiting until the deadline.
Early filing also provides taxpayers with sufficient time to verify their returns, correct any errors if required and complete other formalities within the stipulated period.
Tax expert explains AY and financial year
Speaking to Zee Business, tax expert Sunil Garg said taxpayers should clearly understand the distinction between the Financial Year (FY) and the Assessment Year (AY) before filing their returns.
He explained that the returns currently being filed relate to Assessment Year 2026-27, which corresponds to the income earned during Financial Year 2025-26.
According to Garg, taxpayers should not confuse the Assessment Year with the current financial year, as the return for Financial Year 2026-27 will be filed in the following year.
Understanding this distinction, he said, helps taxpayers avoid errors while selecting the correct assessment year during the filing process.
Taxpayers urged to verify details
Experts advise taxpayers to carefully verify their income details, tax deductions, bank account information and applicable exemptions before submitting their returns.
They should also ensure that the appropriate ITR form is selected based on the nature of their income and eligibility.
Once the return is filed, taxpayers should complete the verification process within the prescribed time to ensure that the filing is treated as valid.
Deadline approaching
With less than three weeks remaining before the due date, the Income Tax Department expects the volume of filings to rise further.
Taxpayers who are required to file ITR-1 or ITR-2 have been advised not to delay the process and to complete their returns well before July 31, 2026, to avoid last-minute inconvenience.