New Delhi: A record more than 7.8 crore income tax returns (ITRs) were filed for assessment year (AY) 2026-27 till August 31, the Income Tax Department said on Tuesday.
The department shared the figure in a post on X, noting that the number had crossed 7.8 crore by the end of August.
Over 5.9 crore returns filed by July 31
The latest figure includes more than 5.9 crore ITR-1 and ITR-2 returns filed by the July 31 deadline.
The number is higher than the more than 7.3 crore ITRs filed for AY 2025-26 by September 16, 2025, which was the extended deadline for taxpayers in non-audit categories.
August 31 deadline for several taxpayers
August 31, 2026, was the due date for filing returns for AY 2026-27 for taxpayers with business or professional income who are not subject to audit.
Taxpayers in this category can file the applicable ITR forms, including ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5 and ITR-7.
ITR-3 is meant for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) earning income from a proprietary business or profession, while ITR-4 is a simpler return form for small and medium taxpayers.
ITR-5 is used by firms, Limited Liability Partnerships and cooperative societies. ITR-6 is filed by companies registered under the Companies Act, while ITR-7 is applicable to trusts and charitable institutions.
The record filing figure comes as the Income Tax Department continues to process returns for the current assessment year.