Fact-check notes
Last fact-checked: 2026-06-05
Income-tax, TDS, TCS, advance tax, deduction, appeal and notice positions should be verified against the active assessment year, portal utility, AIS/Form 26AS, TRACES and current notifications before filing.
This page is preparation guidance. Ask the expert to verify active law, portal forms, notifications and your documents before filing, signing or paying.
What this covers
Faq ITR Filing 2026 27 needs clear facts, documents, portal status, deadlines and deliverables before you compare expert quotes on WorkIndex.
- Define the exact scope: filing, registration, advisory, correction, notice reply, audit, review or recurring compliance.
- Check official portal status before relying on old forms, old due dates or generic internet summaries.
- Share documents, year or period, entity type, city and deadline so the expert quote is specific.
- Ask for assumptions, exclusions, government-fee breakup, timeline and final deliverables in writing.
Who this is for
- User comparing experts on WorkIndex.
- Business owner preparing compliance records.
- Taxpayer, founder or finance team with a deadline.
- Case involving notices, filings, registration, audit or advisory.
Documents and details to prepare
- Identity, PAN/GSTIN/TAN/MCA or registration details.
- Official portal status, prior filings, challans and acknowledgements.
- Invoices, contracts, bank statements, books, payroll or transaction records.
- Notice, order, demand, deadline or expected deliverable if any.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using future-dated or unofficial claims without checking official sources.
- Comparing quotes without sharing complete facts.
- Ignoring portal mismatch, old defaults or pending notices.
- Not separating professional fees, government fees and taxes.
How to brief the expert
- Mention city, entity type, year or period, deadline and current portal status.
- List documents available and gaps you already know.
- Ask for scope, assumptions, exclusions, fee breakup and timeline.
- Save final filings, challans, acknowledgements, workings and advice notes.
FAQs
Can WorkIndex help with this?
Yes. Post your requirement once and compare relevant experts by scope, quote, documents and timeline.
Is this page final legal or tax advice?
No. It is a preparation guide. Your expert should verify current law, portal forms, notifications and your documents.
What should I mention while posting?
Mention the year or period, city, entity type, deadline, portal status, documents available and exact output needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is mandatory to file an Income Tax Return (ITR) in India for FY 2025-26?
You must file an ITR if your total income before deductions (like Section 80C, 80D, etc.) exceeds the basic exemption limit (₹4,00,000 under the default New Tax Regime; ₹2,50,000 under the Old Tax Regime). Filing is also mandatory if you hold foreign assets, deposited >₹1 crore in current bank accounts, spent >₹2 lakh on foreign travel, or had TDS/TCS exceeding ₹25,000 (₹50,000 for senior citizens) in the financial year.
2. What is the deadline/due date for filing ITR for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)?
For FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), the due date is July 31, 2026, for salaried individuals, pensioners, and other non-audit taxpayers filing ITR-1 or ITR-2. The due date is August 31, 2026, for non-audit freelancers, professionals, and small businesses filing ITR-3 or ITR-4. For taxpayers requiring a tax audit, the due date is October 31, 2026.
3. What happens if I miss the ITR filing deadline? What is the late filing fee?
If you file after the deadline (belated return under Section 139(4)), a late filing fee is charged under Section 234F: ₹5,000 if your total income exceeds ₹5,00,000, and ₹1,000 if your income is ₹5,00,000 or below. The final deadline to file a belated return for FY 2025-26 is December 31, 2026.
4. What are the tax slabs for the default New Tax Regime in FY 2025-26?
The default New Tax Regime slabs are: Up to ₹4,00,000 (Nil), ₹4,00,001 to ₹8,00,000 (5%), ₹8,00,001 to ₹12,00,000 (10%), ₹12,00,001 to ₹16,00,000 (15%), ₹16,00,001 to ₹20,00,000 (20%), ₹20,00,001 to ₹24,00,000 (25%), and Above ₹24,00,000 (30%). Salaried employees get an enhanced standard deduction of ₹75,000.
5. How does the Section 87A rebate work under the New Tax Regime for FY 2025-26?
Under the New Tax Regime, individuals with taxable income up to ₹12,00,000 qualify for a full tax rebate of up to ₹60,000 under Section 87A, making their net tax liability zero. Salaried individuals earning up to ₹12,75,000 can also achieve zero tax after applying the ₹75,000 standard deduction. Under the Old Tax Regime, the rebate applies only for income up to ₹5,00,000 (maximum rebate of ₹12,500).
6. Can I choose between the Old and New Tax Regimes? How do I switch?
The New Tax Regime is the default regime. You can opt-in to the Old Tax Regime at the time of filing your ITR. Salaried employees can switch between regimes every year. Taxpayers with business or professional income can switch back to the Old Regime only once in their lifetime.
7. Can I file my ITR if my employer has not issued Form 16?
Yes, you can file ITR without Form 16. You will need to calculate your salary income using monthly salary slips, bank statements showing salary credits, and verify tax deducted (TDS) using Form 26AS and the AIS (Annual Information Statement).
8. What is the difference between Form 26AS, AIS, and TIS?
Form 26AS is a statement showing tax deducted (TDS), tax collected (TCS), advance tax paid, and tax refunds. AIS (Annual Information Statement) captures all financial transactions (shares, mutual funds, interest, dividends, property, etc.). TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary) is a simplified version of AIS. You must reconcile your ITR figures with all three to avoid mismatch notices.
9. How much time do I have to e-verify my ITR after filing?
For returns filed for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), you must e-verify your ITR within 30 days of filing. If you fail to verify it via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or physical signature (speed post to CPC Bengaluru) within 30 days, your return will be treated as invalid and not filed.
10. How can I track my Income Tax Refund status?
Log in to the e-filing portal and go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > View Filed Returns to check your status. Ensure your bank account is pre-validated on the e-filing portal and linked with Aadhaar/PAN to receive the refund directly.
11. Is it mandatory to link PAN with Aadhaar? What happens if they are not linked?
Yes, linking PAN with Aadhaar is mandatory. If not linked, your PAN becomes inoperative. You will not be able to file ITR, claim tax refunds, or execute transactions where PAN is mandatory. Additionally, TDS/TCS will be deducted at higher rates (minimum 20%). A late fee of ₹1,000 is required to link them now.
12. What should I do if I get a Defective Return notice under Section 139(9)?
A defective notice is issued if there are errors (e.g. incorrect ITR form, missing schedules, unpaid self-assessment tax). You must log in to the e-filing portal and submit a response correcting the defects within 15 days from the receipt of the notice. Failing to do so makes your return invalid.
13. Can I file a revised return to correct mistakes in my ITR? What is the deadline?
Yes, under Section 139(5), you can file a revised return to correct any errors or omissions in your original filing. The deadline to file a revised return for FY 2025-26 is March 31, 2027.
14. Is agricultural income tax-free? Do I need to report it?
Agricultural income is exempt from tax under Section 10(1), but you must report it in your ITR. If your agricultural income exceeds ₹5,000 and your other taxable income exceeds the basic exemption limit, the agricultural income is integrated to compute the final tax rate applicable to your non-agricultural income.
15. What is an Updated Return (ITR-U)? When can it be filed?
Under Section 139(8A), you can file an Updated Return (ITR-U) within 24 months from the end of the relevant Assessment Year (for FY 2025-26, until March 31, 2029) to declare additional income. It requires paying an additional tax of 25% (if filed within 12 months) or 50% (if filed within 24 months). It cannot be used to claim refunds or increase losses.