More than 3 crore income tax returns (ITRs) have already been filed for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27, the Income Tax Department said on July 22, urging taxpayers not to wait until the last moment to file their returns.
In a post on X, the department said, “3 Crore+ ITRs have already been filed for A.Y. 2026-27, with 15 Lakh+ ITRs filed yesterday alone! Don’t wait for the deadline rush.”
The figures suggest that return filing has gathered pace as the July 31 deadline approaches for salaried individuals and other taxpayers who are not required to get their accounts audited. Filing activity typically surges in the final week, often resulting in heavy traffic on the income tax e-filing portal.
The increasing preference for the new tax regime has also helped simplify return filing for many taxpayers. “Many taxpayers today do not have significant deductions such as home loan interest, HRA or Section 80C investments to justify remaining in the old regime. They also prefer the simplicity and lower compliance burden of the new regime,” an tax expert said. However, he added that taxpayers with substantial deductions should still compare both tax regimes before making a choice.
For AY 2026-27, the July 31 due date applies to individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) who are not liable for a tax audit. Taxpayers filing ITR-3 or ITR-4 without an audit requirement have time until August 31.
Tax experts advise taxpayers not to wait until the last few days to file their returns. Filing early gives taxpayers enough time to verify Form 26AS, the Annual Information Statement (AIS), and other tax documents, identify any mismatches, and rectify errors before submitting the return. It also reduces the risk of delays caused by portal congestion or technical glitches during the peak filing period.
Early filing is also beneficial for taxpayers expecting refunds, as the processing of returns and issuance of refunds can begin sooner once the return is successfully filed and verified.
Tax experts suggest that before filing, taxpayers should ensure that details relating to salary income, interest income, capital gains, tax deducted at source (TDS), and deductions claimed match the information available in Form 26AS, AIS, and supporting documents such as Form 16, wherever applicable.
With just days left before the July 31 deadline for most individual taxpayers, the Income Tax Department has once again urged eligible taxpayers to complete the filing process well in advance to avoid the last-minute rush.
