ITR Filing Deadline 2026: Which Income Tax Return Form Should You File?

Every tax season brings the same round of questions: which ITR form applies to you, when is the deadline, and what happens if you get it wrong. Here’s a clear breakdown to help you file correctly the first time.

Which ITR Form Applies to You

Salaried individuals with income from salary, one house property and interest income typically file ITR-1 (Sahaj). If you have capital gains, more than one house property, or foreign income, you’ll usually need ITR-2. Business owners and professionals file ITR-3 or, under presumptive taxation, ITR-4 (Sugam). Filing the wrong form is one of the most common reasons a return gets flagged for correction.

Key Deadlines You Shouldn’t Miss

The standard income tax return deadline for individuals not requiring an audit typically falls on 31st July, while businesses requiring an audit get extended time, usually until 31st October. Missing the deadline attracts a late filing fee under Section 234F and interest on any unpaid tax, so it pays to start early rather than rushing in the final week.

Common Mistakes That Trigger a Notice

Mismatched income figures between your Form 26AS/AIS and what you declare, unreported interest income from savings accounts and fixed deposits, and claiming deductions without supporting documents are the most frequent triggers for a tax department notice. Reconciling your AIS statement before filing catches most of these issues upfront.

Documents to Keep Ready

Before you start, gather your Form 16 (for salaried individuals), bank interest certificates, capital gains statements from your broker, and proof of deductions under Section 80C, 80D and others. Having these ready cuts filing time down significantly and reduces the chance of errors.

Filing correctly the first time saves you the hassle of revised returns and notices later. Our complete guide to financial advisory services covers GST filing and loans alongside ITR, and you can reach our Financial Advisory team directly for help with this year’s filing.

Have a question about Financial Advisory? Talk to our advisors directly.