For AY 2026-27 (income of FY 2025-26) there are three ways to fix a return that was missed or was wrong. A belated return, under section 139(4), can be filed until 31 December 2026. A revised return, under section 139(5), can be filed until the end of the assessment year, 31 March 2027. An updated return (ITR-U), under section 139(8A), can be filed within 48 months of the end of the assessment year, but costs 25% to 70% extra tax. Use the cheapest one that is still open.
Facts checked: 16 October 2026, on the Income Tax Department's section 139 and 140B pages and its FAQs. AY 2026-27 is still governed by the Income-tax Act, 1961, even though the Income-tax Act, 2025 applies from 1 April 2026; the department's FAQs say so for AY 2026-27 and earlier years.
Which one do you need?
| Situation | Route | Last date for AY 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Never filed, and the original due date has passed | Belated return, s.139(4) | 31 December 2026 |
| Filed, but found an omission or wrong statement | Revised return, s.139(5) | 31 March 2027 (₹1,000 or ₹5,000 fee if filed after 31 December) |
| Missed both, or want to report more income or pay more tax | Updated return, s.139(8A) | 31 March 2031 |
Each of these dates is also limited by assessment: a belated or revised return must be filed before the assessment is completed, if that happens earlier.
One caution on the revised-return date. Older articles, and the older text of the section, say it ran only until three months before the end of the assessment year, that is, 31 December. The Income Tax Department's current section 139(5) page now reads "at any time before the end of the relevant assessment year or before the completion of the assessment, whichever is earlier", and its transition FAQ gives 31 March 2027 for AY 2026-27. If you rely on a revised return after 31 December, keep a copy of that page with the working papers.
Belated return (section 139(4))
A person who missed the original due date can still file until three months before the end of the assessment year, which is 31 December 2026. Late fee under section 234F per the department's table: ₹1,000 if total income is up to ₹5 lakh, otherwise ₹5,000. Interest for late filing and late tax payment applies as well, so work out the tax first.
Audit cases have their own dates. The original date for audit cases was moved by CBDT's press release of 28 September 2026 for persons in the Table below Explanation 2 to section 139(1) at S. No. 2, from 31 October to 21 November 2026, with the audit report date moved to 21 October 2026. See tax audit due date extended to 21 October 2026. Transfer pricing cases (30 November) were not in that release; see Form 3CEB.
Revised return (section 139(5))
Use it when you have filed under section 139(1) or 139(4) and then find an omission or a wrong statement, such as a missed TDS credit, a wrong deduction or an unreported bank interest. You can file it more than once while the window is open.
There is now a fee for revising late. Section 234-I, as it appears on the department's site, charges ₹1,000 if total income is up to ₹5 lakh and ₹5,000 otherwise, for a revised return filed late in the window. Read with the section 139(5) window, that is a revised return filed after 31 December 2026 and up to 31 March 2027. The section's own wording counts "nine months but before twelve months" from a year-end, and the existing guides and the department's revised section are not fully aligned on the starting point, so confirm the exact cut-off on the portal before telling a client it is free. Revising on or before 31 December 2026 carries no 234-I fee. If the revision means more tax is due, interest and the balance tax still have to be paid.
You can see the fee and the interest for your numbers in the late filing fee and interest calculator.
Updated return, ITR-U (section 139(8A))
An updated return can be filed by any person, whether or not they filed an earlier return, within 48 months from the end of the relevant assessment year. For AY 2026-27 that runs to 31 March 2031. The price is additional tax on the tax and interest due, rising with delay (section 140B):
| Filed within | Additional tax |
|---|---|
| 12 months of the end of the AY | 25% |
| 12 to 24 months | 50% |
| 24 to 36 months | 60% |
| 36 to 48 months | 70% |
For this calculation, tax includes surcharge and cess, and interest is reduced by any interest already paid under an earlier return. If the updated return follows a notice under section 148, the department's form uses higher rates: 35%, 60%, 70% or 80%.
What an updated return cannot do
- It cannot be a return of loss (with one exception noted in the section for carry-forward cases), cannot reduce the tax payable on the earlier return, and cannot create or increase a refund.
- Only one updated return can be filed for an assessment year.
- It is not available once a search or survey has been carried out on you for that year or earlier years, or if assessment or reassessment is pending or completed for the year (with limited exceptions), or if prosecution has begun.
- Proof of payment of the additional tax must come with the return, or the return is treated as defective.
A practical order of checks for a CA firm
- Was a return filed? If not, and it is before 31 December 2026, file a belated return and pay the section 234F fee.
- If it was filed and is wrong, revise it, ideally on or before 31 December 2026 to avoid the section 234-I fee.
- Use ITR-U only for what a revised return cannot do, such as after the revised-return window, or to report income that was missed, and tell the client the extra tax before filing. The ITR-U calculator works out the additional tax.
- Match the return to Form 26AS and AIS before filing, because AIS mismatches are what trigger most notices; see Form 26AS vs AIS.
For all category due dates, see ITR due dates for AY 2026-27. For a notice that has already arrived, see how to reply to an income tax notice.
Record the choice and the client approval on the belated, revised or updated return decision worksheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date for a belated return for AY 2026-27?
31 December 2026, or before assessment is completed if that is earlier.
What is the last date to revise a return for AY 2026-27?
31 March 2027 on the department's current section 139(5) page and transition FAQ, or before assessment is completed if that is earlier.
What is ITR-U and how long do I have?
ITR-U is the updated return under section 139(8A). It can be filed within 48 months of the end of the assessment year, so for AY 2026-27 until 31 March 2031.
How much extra tax does an updated return cost?
25% of the tax and interest if filed within 12 months of the end of the assessment year, 50% within 24 months, 60% within 36 months and 70% within 48 months.
Is there a fee for filing a revised return?
Yes, if you file late in the window. Section 234-I charges ₹1,000 (total income up to ₹5 lakh) or ₹5,000. Revising by 31 December 2026 avoids it, on our reading of the section; confirm on the portal.
Can I file an updated return to claim a refund?
No. An updated return cannot reduce tax or increase a refund. Use a revised return, if it is still open, and pay the section 234-I fee if you are past 31 December.
Does the Income-tax Act, 2025 change these dates for AY 2026-27?
No. The department says the 1961 Act continues to govern AY 2026-27 and earlier years.
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