Can taxpayers file ITR before July 31 and complete verification in August?

• If the return is filed within 30 days of filing, then the return will be treated as normal return.

• If the return is filed after 30 days, then the return will be treated as a belated return.

As per income tax rules, the date of uploading the ITR is considered as the date of furnishing the return of income if e-verification/ITR-V of such return of income is submitted within 30 days of uploading. Also, the date of e-verification/ITR-V submission is treated as the date of furnishing the return of income if the e-verification/ITR-V is submitted 30 days after uploading the return.

The above statements are based on a report by Taxmann Advisory and Research Team.

"For example, the due date for filing the ITR is July 31, 2026. Mr. X filed his ITR on July 5, 2026, and verified it on August 2, 2026, within 30 days of filing. Thus, the ITR filing date for Mr. X would be July 5, 2026. However, if he verifies the ITR on August 10, 2026, beyond the 30-day period, the verification date, August 10, 2026, will be considered the filing date. In this case, the return will be treated as a belated return and consequences related to the furnishing of a belated return shall apply," the report said.

While filing income tax return before the deadline is important, taxpayers should also ensure their ITRs are verified timely.

When you don't need to send signed copy of ITR-V?

Taxpayers are not required to send the signed copy of ITR verification form ITR-V to Bengaluru CPC if they have used any of the following methods to file their returns:

• E-filing using a Digital Signature (DSC)

• E-filing through Net Banking or

• E-filing through Aadhaar OTP

• E-filing under Electronic Verification Code (EVC).

However, you need to send the signed copy of ITR V on filing the return without DSC, Aadhaar OTP or EVC,

Time limit for verification

• If the return of income is not verified within 30 days of the date of uploading or by the due date for filing the return, whichever is later, the return will be considered invalid for non-verification.

• If the return is filed before the due date but verified after 30 days have elapsed, which falls after the due date for filing, the return will be considered a belated return of income.

"For instance, you upload your income tax return on July 1st, 2026. You're required to verify it within 30 days, which means by July 31st, 2026. However, you can verify it until December 31st, 2026, which is the due date for filing a belated return. If you verify it after 31st July but before 31st December, your return will be treated as a belated return," the report said.

In case a taxpayer fails to verify the return by December 31, 2026, the return will be treated as invalid due to non-verification.

"However, if you have a valid reason or a reasonable cause that prevented you from verifying the return, you can request the condonation of delay by providing an appropriate explanation for the delay," the experts said.

"However, the return will be verified and treated as valid only if the Income-tax Department approves the condonation request," they added.