More than 6.5 crore income tax returns have been filed for assessment year 2026-27 as of Aug. 20, with the Income Tax Department urging eligible taxpayers to complete their filings before the Aug. 31 deadline.
Of the total returns filed so far, more than 2 crore were ITR-3 and ITR-4 forms, according to the department.
"Over 6.5 Crore ITRs have already been filed for AY 2026-27, including more than 2 Crore ITRs 3 & 4 as on August 20, 2026. Avoid the last-minute rush. File your ITR-3, 4, 5 & 7 (non-audit) before 31st August 2026," the Income Tax Department said in a post on X on Friday.
The Aug. 31 deadline applies to several categories of taxpayers who are not required to get their accounts audited.
Who Needs To File ITR By Aug. 31?
The deadline covers individual taxpayers and companies that are not liable for a tax audit. Taxpayers who may need to file their returns by Aug. 31 include freelancers and independent professionals, consultants, small business owners and those engaged in intraday or futures and options trading.
It also covers taxpayers eligible for presumptive taxation under Sections 44AD, 44ADA and 44AE, as well as salaried individuals who earn additional income from freelancing, consulting, F&O or intraday trading.
Taxpayers filing their returns must also complete the e-verification process within 30 days of filing. Failure to verify the return within the prescribed period may result in the ITR being treated as invalid or as if it had not been filed.
ALSO READ: Filed Your ITR On Time? Three Reasons You Still Might Get Tax Notice; What To Do Next
Which ITR Form Should You File?
Taxpayers who are unsure about the applicable return form can use the “Help me decide” option on the income tax e-filing portal. The facility displays the eligibility conditions for different ITR forms based on the taxpayer's status and can help determine the appropriate form to file.
ALSO READ: Filing ITR As Freelancer? Know Which Form To Choose Before August 31
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