ITR Filing 2026-27: File Income Tax Return Online (FY 2025-26)
ITR stands for Income Tax Return. It is a formal document through which taxpayers in Income Tax Return India report their income, expenses, taxes paid, and total tax liability for a specific financial year. There are seven types of forms, namely ITR-1 to ITR-7.
Choosing the right income tax return itr form is crucial as it depends on your income sources, total earnings, and residential status. For the upcoming season starting April 1, 2026, you will be performing ITR filing for income earned in FY 2025-26, which corresponds to Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27.
The income tax due date for individuals (non-audit cases) is typically July 31, 2026. Failure to file it returns online by the specified deadline can lead to adverse consequences such as late-filing interest, penalties, and the inability to carry forward capital losses.
What is ITR?
An Income Tax Return or ITR is a form in which taxpayers submit detailed information about their earnings and tax payments to the Income Tax Department. The specific form applicable depends on the taxpayer category (Individual, HUF, Company, etc.) and the nature of the income.
Types of ITR Forms
The department prescribes seven types of forms for income tax e-filing based on the type of taxpayer and income:
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ITR Form
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Persons required to file
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ITR-1 (Sahaj)
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For resident individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh from salary, one house property, and other sources (excluding business/profession).
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ITR-2
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For individuals and HUFs not having income from business or profession, but having capital gains, foreign assets, or income above ₹50 lakh.
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ITR-3
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For individuals and HUFs with income from business or profession.
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ITR-4 (Sugam)
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For individuals, HUFs, and firms (other than LLPs) opting for presumptive taxation.
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ITR-5
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For Firms, LLPs, AOPs, and BOIs.
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ITR-6
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For Companies other than those claiming exemption under Section 11.
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ITR-7
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For entities claiming exemption, such as charitable trusts, political parties, and scientific research institutions.
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Who Should File ITR?
You can perform your ITR return file online for the FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27). Filing is mandatory for most taxpayers unless they meet specific exemption criteria.
Senior Citizens (75+):
They are exempt from filing if their only income is pension and interest from the same bank, and the bank deducts tax under Section 194P.
Basic Exemption Limit:
Filing is not mandatory if your total income is less than the applicable ITR slabs' basic exemption limit, unless you want to claim a TDS refund.
Documents Required to File ITR
To ensure your income tax itr filing is accurate, keep the following itr filing documents ready:
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PAN Card and Aadhaar Card
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Form 26AS (Tax Credit Statement)
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Form 16 (for salaried individuals) or Form 16A/16B/16C
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Bank statements and Interest certificates
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Proof of Tax Saving Investments (80C, 80D, etc.)
[Download your Form 26AS from the TRACES portal → https://www.tdscpc.gov.in]
How to File Income Tax Return Online?
You can file itr online by logging into the efiling 2.0 portal. Follow these steps for a smooth process:
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Step 1: Head to the official income tax return website and complete your ITR login using your PAN as the User ID.
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Step 2: Go to the 'e-File' tab > 'Income Tax Returns' > ‘File Income Tax Return’.
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Step 3: Select the correct Assessment Year for ITR. For current filings, select AY 2026-27.
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Step 4: Select your filing status (Individual/HUF) and choose the appropriate ITR type.
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Step 5: State the reason for filing (e.g., income exceeding the exemption limit).
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Step 6: Enter your personal details, bank info, and income data. Cross-verify with your Form 16 and Form 26AS.
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Step 7: Submit the return and proceed to e-verification.
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Step 8: Once verified, you will receive an ITR acknowledgement (also known as ITR V).
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Due Date for ITR Filing (AY 2026-27)
It is vital to file tax return on or before the specified date to avoid penalties.
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Category of Taxpayer
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Due Date (AY 2026-27)
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Individual / HUF (Non-Audit)
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31st July 2026
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Businesses (Requiring Audit)
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31st October 2026
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Transfer Pricing Cases
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30th November 2026
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Important Forms for E-filing
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Form 16: A salary TDS certificate provided by your employer.
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Form 26AS: A consolidated tax statement showing all taxes deducted against your PAN.
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Form 15G/15H: Submitted to banks to prevent TDS on interest if your total income is below the taxable limit.
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Why Should You File ITR?
Even if your income is below the itr slabs, filing a "Nil ITR" is beneficial:
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Loan & Visa Processing: Most banks and embassies require 3 years of ITR copies.
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Claiming TDS Refund: The only way to get back excess tax deducted is via itr return filing.
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Carry Forward Losses: To set off business or capital losses in future years.
[Check the latest Income Tax Slabs for 2026]
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I file ITR for business losses?
Yes, you must file a revised return or original return by the due date to carry forward losses to future years.
What is the late fee?
The late fee is up to ₹5,000 if filed after the deadline. However, it is limited to ₹1,000 if total income is below ₹5 lakh.
How can I check my income tax refund status?
Log in to the itr site, go to 'View Filed Returns' or check the NSDL portal.
What is ITR V?
It is the ITR acknowledgement form sent by the department after you file income tax return online and it is successfully received.
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