Over 7.5 crore ITRs filed, tax department tells taxpayers: 'Don’t wait for the eleventh hour'

With the August 31, 2026 deadline for non-audit taxpayers with business or professional income just here, the Income Tax Department has urged taxpayers to file their returns without waiting until the last minute. More than 7.5 crore ITRs for AY 2026–27 have already been filed, according to the department.

The Income Tax Department, in a post on X, said that, "more than 7.5 crore ITRs for Assessment Year (AY) 2026–27 have already been filed. With the August 31, 2026 deadline for non-audit taxpayers with business or professional income approaching, the department urged taxpayers not to “wait for the eleventh hour” and to file their returns at the earliest. It specifically reminded taxpayers who are yet to file ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5 or ITR-7 (non-audit) to complete the process before the deadline."

Before hitting ‘Submit’, taxpayers should watch out for these common errors:

Incorrect personal details

Check your name, address, PAN and Aadhaar details carefully before submitting the return.

Choosing the wrong ITR form

Select the ITR form based on your income sources, nature of income and taxpayer category. Filing an incorrect form can lead to complications later.

Incorrect or incomplete bank details

Verify your account number and IFSC to avoid delays in receiving your tax refund.

Missing e-verification

Filing the return is not the final step. Make sure to e-verify it within the prescribed timeframe; an unverified return cannot be processed.

Errors in capital gains

Ignoring high-value transactions