New Delhi. The Income Tax Department has appealed to taxpayers earning income from business or profession and who are not within the scope of audit to file income tax returns for assessment year 2026-27 by August 31. The department has reminded taxpayers through social media posts to file returns before the deadline.
According to the Income Tax Department, till August 20, more than two crore ITR-3 and ITR-4 had been filed on the e-filing portal. With this, the total number of income tax returns filed for assessment year 2026-27 had exceeded 6.5 crore.
This figure also includes more than 5.9 crore ITR-1 and ITR-2, which were filed by the deadline of July 31.
August 31 is the last date for non-audit taxpayers.
The Income Tax Department said that for taxpayers whose income is from business or profession and whose accounts are not subject to mandatory audit, the last date for filing ITR for assessment year 2026-27 is August 31, 2026.
The department has appealed to the taxpayers to file returns on time and has given them the message of becoming 'tax heroes'.
Who has to fill which ITR form?
Different ITR forms may be applicable for non-audit category taxpayers as per their income and status.
- ITR-3: Individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) who have income from business or profession.
- ITR-4: Simple ITR form for small and medium taxpayers.
- ITR-5: For firms, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) and co-operative societies etc.
- ITR-7: For prescribed category of taxpayers including trusts and charitable institutions.
The department has advised taxpayers to file returns within the deadline by choosing the correct ITR form as per their income and applicable rules.
Avoid delay in ITR filing
With the August 31 deadline approaching, it is important for non-audit taxpayers earning income from business and profession to file returns in time. The Income Tax Department is continuously encouraging taxpayers to file returns on time by sharing e-filing data.
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