ITR Deadlines and Income Tax Changes from Budget 2026
📅 1. Revised Deadline for Filing Revised ReturnsAs part of the Union Budget 2026, Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that taxpayers will be able to revise their income tax returns (ITRs) up to march 31, 2026, by paying a small fee. This gives extra time to correct mistakes or missing information in filed returns without facing penalty—particularly useful with new reporting and compliance norms.🗓️ 2. Staggered or ‘Extended’ ITR Filing TimelineThe Budget also proposed a more staggered and taxpayer‑friendly return filing schedule to ease compliance, especially for small taxpayers and salaried individuals. This is aimed at reducing last‑minute rush and providing a smoother filing experience.📌 3. Status of ITR Due DatesFor the assessment year 2025‑26 (tax returns for FY 2024‑25), the Income Tax Department (CBDT) had already extended the original deadline of 31 July 2025 to 15 september 2025 to accommodate changes in ITR forms and system readiness. In some cases, this was effectively extended to 16 september 2025 to help taxpayers complete filings.Important Note:
📊 Why This Matters for Taxpayers✅ More time to revise ITRs: You can correct and resubmit returns till March 31, 2026 with a nominal fee—helpful if errors were made originally.
✅ Less pressure at the deadline: A more staged filing calendar may reduce last‑minute rush and errors.
✅ Smooth transition to New Tax Law: As the New Income Tax Act (2025) comes into effect from April 1, 2026, new forms and rules will be introduced for later assessment years.
📌 Current Filing Timeline at a Glance
🧾 What This Means for You
- The FY 2024‑25 / AY 2025‑26 deadline extensions were decided before the Budget and apply to returns already being filed.
- The Budget 2026 adjustments—like the march 31 revision deadline—apply going forward, particularly as india transitions to new tax norms under the New Income Tax Act effective April 1, 2026.
📊 Why This Matters for Taxpayers✅ More time to revise ITRs: You can correct and resubmit returns till March 31, 2026 with a nominal fee—helpful if errors were made originally.
✅ Less pressure at the deadline: A more staged filing calendar may reduce last‑minute rush and errors.
✅ Smooth transition to New Tax Law: As the New Income Tax Act (2025) comes into effect from April 1, 2026, new forms and rules will be introduced for later assessment years.
📌 Current Filing Timeline at a Glance
| Return Type | Deadline |
| ITR Filing for AY 2025‑26 (FY 2024‑25) | Extended to 15/16 Sep 2025 |
| Revised ITR Filing | Up to 31 Mar 2026 (with nominal fee) |
| New Tax Returns Under New Act | Forms and deadlines will be notified for returns filed after Apr 1, 2026 |
🧾 What This Means for You
- If you’ve already filed your ITR for FY 2024‑25 (due in 2025), the deadline extensions have given you extra time without penalties.
- If you find errors in your current filing, you can correct them by march 31, 2026 under the revised rule.
- Expect updated ITR forms and schedules for future years once the New Income Tax Act is implemented from april 2026.