Quick answer
What is income tax return filing and when is it due in 2026?
Income tax return filing is the yearly declaration of your income, deductions and tax paid to the Income Tax Department. For FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), ITR-1 and ITR-2 were due on 31 July 2026, audit cases on 21 November 2026, and a belated return can be filed until 31 December 2026.
- FY 2025-26 returns follow the Income-tax Act 1961
- Belated return deadline: 31 December 2026
- Late fee: ₹1,000 or ₹5,000 under section 234F
- Match AIS and Form 26AS before you file
What is income tax return filing and who has to file?
Income tax return filing is the act of submitting an ITR on the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal, showing what you earned in the financial year, what deductions you claim, and how much tax was paid through TDS, advance tax or self-assessment. The return either closes your liability or starts a refund.
Most people who earn above the basic exemption limit must file. Many others file even when it is optional, because a filed ITR is the proof banks, embassies and landlords ask for. Typical filers we see in Delhi include:
- Salaried employees with Form 16 from one or more employers.
- Shop owners and traders in markets such as Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk and Lawrence Road.
- Manufacturers in Wazirpur and Narela who also deduct TDS and pay advance tax.
- Freelancers, consultants, doctors and other professionals.
- NRIs with rent, interest or a property sale in India.
- Anyone who wants a refund of TDS deducted by a bank or tenant.
Once your return is processed, the department sends an intimation. If the figures do not match its records, you may get a notice, which is why we compare your data with AIS before filing rather than after.
Which ITR form should you file for AY 2026-27?
The right ITR form depends on who you are and where your income comes from: salary and interest only usually means ITR-1, capital gains or foreign income means ITR-2, business income means ITR-3, and presumptive business income usually means ITR-4.
Each form has eligibility conditions, including income limits and residential status, that the department publishes on the portal. Filing the wrong form can lead to a defective return notice, so we confirm the form before preparing anything.
| Form | Usually suits | Typical income |
|---|---|---|
| ITR-1 (Sahaj) | Resident individuals with simple income | Salary or pension, one house property, interest, within the portal's limits |
| ITR-2 | Individuals and HUFs without business income | Capital gains, more than one house, foreign assets or income, most NRIs |
| ITR-3 | Individuals and HUFs with business or profession income | Proprietors, partners in firms, professionals keeping full books |
| ITR-4 (Sugam) | Residents using a presumptive income scheme | Small traders and professionals declaring income on a presumptive basis |
| ITR-5, 6, 7 | Firms, LLPs, companies, trusts | Entity returns, often with an audit |
Eligibility conditions change each year. Check the form notes on the Income Tax e-filing portal FAQ before filing. Checked October 2026.
Need help with income tax return filing? Talk to a chartered accountant in Delhi today. First call is free.
What are the ITR filing due dates for FY 2025-26?
For FY 2025-26, ITR-1 and ITR-2 were due on 31 July 2026, non-audit ITR-3 and ITR-4 on 31 August 2026 as reported after the Finance Act 2026, and audit cases on 21 November 2026 under CBDT Circular 07/2026.
The 31 August date for ITR-3 and ITR-4 comes from secondary reports of the Finance Act 2026 amendment, so confirm it on the e-filing portal before relying on it. Our ITR due date guide keeps every deadline for the year in one table.
| Return or event | Due date |
|---|---|
| ITR-1 and ITR-2 (no audit) | 31 July 2026 |
| ITR-3 and ITR-4 (no audit) | 31 August 2026 (reported; confirm on the portal) |
| Tax audit report | 21 October 2026 (extended) |
| ITR for audit cases | 21 November 2026 (extended) |
| Transfer pricing cases | 30 November 2026 (reported; confirm on the portal) |
| Belated return | 31 December 2026 |
Source: CBDT Circular 07/2026 and the e-filing portal FAQ, checked October 2026.
What documents are needed for ITR filing in Delhi?
For ITR filing you need your PAN and Aadhaar, Form 16 if salaried, the AIS and TIS from the portal, Form 26AS, bank interest certificates, and statements for any shares, mutual funds or property sold during the year.
AIS (Annual Information Statement) is the department's own record of what it believes you earned. If your return leaves out something AIS shows, the gap is a common trigger for a notice. We download AIS with your permission and reconcile it line by line.
| Document | Who needs it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| PAN, Aadhaar, bank account details | Everyone | Login, verification and refund credit |
| Form 16 from each employer | Salaried people | Salary, exemptions and TDS deducted |
| AIS and TIS | Everyone | The department's view of your income, to match |
| Form 26AS | Everyone | TDS, TCS and tax payments credited to your PAN |
| Capital gains statements | Investors and property sellers | Broker or fund reports, sale deeds, purchase cost |
| Profit and loss account, balance sheet | Business owners and professionals | Business income for ITR-3 |
| Rent receipts, investment and insurance proofs | Those claiming deductions | Supports claims where your regime allows them |
| Passport, travel dates, foreign tax documents | NRIs and returning residents | Residential status and treaty claims |
How does our ITR filing service work?
Our ITR filing process takes five steps: you share documents, we confirm the form and regime, we reconcile with AIS and Form 26AS, you approve a draft, and we file and help you e-verify.
- 1
Share your documents
Send Form 16, bank statements and investment reports on WhatsApp or email, or bring them to our Netaji Subhash Place office.
- 2
Fix the form and regime
We confirm the ITR form, your residential status, and compare tax under the old and new regimes where you have a choice.
- 3
Reconcile with AIS and 26AS
Every receipt and TDS entry in the department's records is matched with your figures, and differences are explained or corrected.
- 4
Approve the draft
You see the computation, the tax payable or refund, and the schedule entries before anything is submitted.
- 5
File and e-verify
We upload the return and guide you through Aadhaar OTP or net-banking e-verification so the return counts as filed.
Which law applies: the 1961 Act or the Income-tax Act 2025?
The Income-tax Act 2025 came into force on 1 April 2026, but returns for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) are still governed by the Income-tax Act 1961, as reported in CBDT's transition guidance.
In practice this means the return you file in 2026 uses familiar terms: assessment year, section 234F, section 139. Income you earn from 1 April 2026 falls under the new Act, which replaces "assessment year" with a single "tax year" and renumbers many sections. The Income-tax Rules 2026 were reported as notified on 20 March 2026.
If an article or notice quotes a section number, check which Act it refers to. A section under the 1961 Act often has a different number under the 2025 Act. Source: CBDT press release on the Income-tax Act 2025.
ITR filing for salaried people, business owners, freelancers and NRIs
The work involved in ITR filing changes with your income type: salaried returns are mostly matching Form 16 with AIS, business returns need books, freelancers need receipts reconciled, and NRIs need residential status settled first.
Salaried employees
Check that every employer's Form 16 is included if you changed jobs, and that interest from savings and fixed deposits is reported. Old and new regime results can differ a lot, so compare both every year instead of assuming last year's choice still wins.
Business owners and traders
Proprietors file ITR-3, or ITR-4 under a presumptive scheme where eligible. Your GST turnover, bank credits and TDS deducted by customers should agree with the return. We work alongside your accounting and bookkeeping so the books are closed first.
Freelancers and consultants
Foreign clients, platform payouts and TDS from Indian clients all appear in different places. We collect the bank credits, compare them with AIS, and work out whether you should have been paying advance tax during the year.
NRIs
An NRI files when Indian income such as rent, interest or capital gains crosses the filing threshold or when a refund is due. Property sales by NRIs carry heavier TDS, covered on our NRI tax filing page.
Old regime or new regime: which should you choose?
There is no single right answer: the better regime is the one that gives you lower tax after your actual deductions, so compute both for your own figures before you file instead of following a general rule.
The new regime offers lower slab rates but fewer deductions. The old regime keeps deductions such as investments and rent but charges higher rates. Business owners face restrictions on switching back and forth, so the choice deserves a proper calculation. We show both results side by side in the draft we send you.
What if you miss the ITR due date?
If you miss the original due date you can still file a belated return for AY 2026-27 until 31 December 2026, but a late fee under section 234F applies and some benefits, such as carrying forward certain losses, may be lost.
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| Total income up to ₹5 lakh, filed late | Late fee of ₹1,000 under section 234F |
| Total income above ₹5 lakh, filed late | Late fee of ₹5,000 under section 234F |
| Tax still unpaid at filing | Interest is charged on the balance in addition to the fee |
| Not filed by 31 December 2026 | Belated route closes; an updated return may still be possible with extra tax |
Source: Income Tax Department penalties page and the e-filing portal FAQ, checked October 2026. Under the 2025 Act the late fee section is reported to be renumbered.
How to find an income tax consultant near me in Delhi
Look for a tax consultant in Delhi who reconciles AIS before filing, explains the regime choice in writing, gives a fixed quote, and can be verified: for chartered accountants, check membership on ICAI's CA Connect portal.
Our office is at 411, Best Sky Tower, Netaji Subhash Place, beside the Red and Pink line metro station, so clients from Pitampura, Rohini and Shalimar Bagh often walk in with their papers. Online platforms advertise CA-assisted ITR plans from about ₹1,499 plus GST (seen October 2026). We do not publish a price list; you get a fixed quote before work starts.
Among the listed firms, Khubchandani & Co. Chartered Accountants handles income tax, TDS and advance tax for business owners, Moneymji covers income tax and TDS alongside its compliance packages, and Greenwolf Advisors works with NRIs and families who have cross-border tax questions. You can compare them on our chartered accountant firms in Delhi page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date for ITR filing for AY 2026-27?
For non-audit individuals filing ITR-1 or ITR-2, the date was 31 July 2026. Non-audit ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers were reported to have until 31 August 2026 after a Finance Act 2026 amendment, so confirm on the portal. Audit cases have until 21 November 2026 under CBDT Circular 07/2026, and belated returns close on 31 December 2026.
Can I still file my ITR after 31 July 2026?
Yes. A belated return for AY 2026-27 can be filed until 31 December 2026. You pay a late fee of ₹1,000 if total income is up to ₹5 lakh, or ₹5,000 above that, plus interest on any tax still due. Filing late can also cost you the right to carry certain losses forward.
Which ITR form is for salaried people?
Most salaried residents with simple income use ITR-1. If you sold shares, mutual funds or property, hold foreign assets, own more than one house or are an NRI, you usually move to ITR-2. If you also run a business or practice, ITR-3 or ITR-4 applies. We confirm the form after seeing your AIS.
Is there an income tax consultant near me in North West Delhi?
Our office is at Best Sky Tower, Netaji Subhash Place, next to the metro station on the Red and Pink lines. It is close to Pitampura, Shakurpur, Keshav Puram, Rohini and Ashok Vihar. You can visit Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm, or send papers on WhatsApp at +91 99114 92897.
What is AIS and why does it matter for ITR filing?
AIS is the Annual Information Statement on the e-filing portal. It lists salary, interest, dividends, share sales, property deals and TDS that third parties reported against your PAN. If your return shows less than AIS, the system can flag a mismatch, so reconcile it before you file.
Should I choose the old or new tax regime?
Compute both. The new regime has lower rates but fewer deductions, while the old regime suits people with large eligible deductions such as rent, investments or home loan interest. The answer changes from person to person and year to year, so we put both computations in your draft before filing.
Which Act governs my 2026 return, the old one or the new one?
Returns for FY 2025-26, filed during 2026, are reported to remain under the Income-tax Act 1961. The Income-tax Act 2025 took effect on 1 April 2026 and covers income from tax year 2026-27 onwards, so next year's return will use the new structure and section numbers.
Do I need to file ITR if TDS was already deducted?
Usually yes. TDS is only an advance collection. Filing the return settles the final tax, lets you claim a refund if too much was cut, and reports income such as interest or capital gains that TDS may not fully cover. A filed ITR is also proof of income for loans and visas.
How much does a CA charge for ITR filing in Delhi?
It depends on your income sources and how much reconciliation is needed. Online platforms advertise CA-assisted plans from about ₹1,499 plus GST (seen October 2026). We give a fixed quote before starting. Our CA fees in Delhi guide explains what drives the price.
What is an updated return?
An updated return lets you report income you missed after the normal and belated deadlines have passed, on paying additional tax. It cannot be used to claim a bigger refund or lower your tax. The time window and extra tax rates are set by law, so check the current rules on the portal or ask us.