Income Tax Return Due Date, Belated and Revised Return – Section 263 Explained
- Due date for most salaried individuals: 31 July of the financial year after the tax year (for Tax Year 2026-27: 31 July 2027).
- A late return can be filed within nine months from the end of the tax year, or before assessment is completed (section 263(4)).
- A revised return can be filed within twelve months from the end of the tax year (section 263(5)), subject to section 428(b).
- Late filing can attract a fee under section 428 – read it before you file.
Section 263 is the section on return of income – the old section 139. It says who must file, by when, and how to correct or file late.
Who must file – section 263(1)(a)
Among others, a return must be furnished for the tax year by a company, a firm, and a person other than a company or firm whose total income – before giving effect to Chapter XVII-B, certain exemptions in Schedule VIII (Table Sl. 1) and deductions under Chapter IV-E or Chapter VIII – exceeded the maximum amount not chargeable to tax. A return is also required for a person who wants to carry forward a business or capital loss, and for a resident (other than not ordinarily resident) who holds an asset or has a signing authority in an account located outside India. Section 263(3) lets the Central Government exempt classes of persons by notification.
This means that if your income before deductions is above the basic exemption limit, you must file even if the final tax is nil – for instance because of the section 156 rebate.
Due dates – section 263(1)(c)
| Person | Due date (in the financial year after the tax year) |
|---|---|
| Any other assessee – including salaried individuals | 31 July |
| Business or profession, accounts not required to be audited (and such partners / spouses) | 31 August |
| Companies; assessees whose accounts must be audited (and such partners / spouses) | 31 October |
| Where the provisions of section 172 apply (certain international transactions) | 30 November |
For Tax Year 2026-27 (1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027) these dates fall in 2027. The Central Board of Direct Taxes may extend dates by notification, so always check the Income Tax Department's announcements.
Late (belated) return – section 263(4)
A person who has not furnished the return within the time allowed may furnish it for any tax year at any time within nine months from the end of the relevant tax year, or before the completion of the assessment, whichever is earlier. For Tax Year 2026-27 the nine months end on 31 December 2027.
Revised return – section 263(5)
If you discover an omission or wrong statement in a return filed under sub-section (1) or (4), you may furnish a revised return within twelve months from the end of the relevant tax year, or before the completion of the assessment, whichever is earlier – subject to section 428(b). For Tax Year 2026-27 that is by 31 March 2028.
Fee for late filing – section 428
Section 428 provides for a fee for default in furnishing the return of income. Read section 428 for the amounts and conditions.
Updated return
Section 263(6) deals with the updated return, and section 267 with the tax payable on it. See Rule 165 for the form and procedure.
Practical steps for a salaried employee
- Collect Form No. 130 from your employer after 15 June.
- Decide on the regime – with the return, if you have no business income (see the regime guide).
- File by 31 July. If you miss it, file as early as possible within the nine-month window, and check section 428 for any fee.
The forms and conditions for returns are in Rule 164.
Still have a question? Ask TAXBADI – get an answer from the Act, Rules and forms, with the exact sections cited.
More guides
- Arrears of Salary – Relief under Section 157, Rule 73 and Form No. 39 (Old 89(1))
- Capital Gains Tax Rates 2026-27 – Shares, Mutual Funds and Property under the New Act
- Clubbing of Income – Section 99: When Spouse or Minor Child Income Is Added to Yours
- Filing Income Tax Return Late – Fee under Section 428 and Interest under Sections 423 to 425
This guide is for general information and is not tax advice. Tax figures are before health and education cess unless stated. The law and the official notifications are the final authority – see our Disclaimer. Found a mistake? Tell us.