Missing the ITR filing deadline costs you ₹5,000-₹10,000 in penalties—plus interest at 1% per month on any unpaid tax. And if you're late by more than 3 months, you can't carry forward losses.

The problem? ITR filing isn't the only deadline. There's advance tax (quarterly), TDS returns (quarterly), audit reports (September/November), belated returns (December), and more.

This complete compliance calendar for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) gives you every important deadline—from April 2026 to March 2027—organized month by month with penalties, extensions, and planning tips.

⚠️ New for FY 2025-26

ITR deadline remains July 31, 2026 for individuals/HUFs (without audit). For businesses requiring audit: October 31, 2026. No extensions announced yet—plan accordingly.

Quick Reference: Critical Deadlines

Mark Your Calendar

Jul 31

ITR filing (Individuals, HUFs, Firms without audit)

Sep 30

Tax Audit Report (44AB)

Oct 31

ITR filing (with audit) & TP Report

Dec 31

Belated/Revised ITR (last date)

Mar 15

Advance Tax (4th installment - final)

Quarterly

TDS Returns (24Q, 26Q, 27Q)

Month-by-Month Compliance Calendar

April 2026

Financial Year Starts – Begin Tax Planning

Apr 7
TDS Challan Payment (March)

Pay TDS deducted in March 2026 by April 7, 2026.

June 15
Advance Tax – 1st Installment Important

Pay 15% of total estimated tax liability for FY 2026-27.

Apr 30
TDS Return Q4 (Jan-Mar 2026) Regular

File Form 24Q, 26Q, 27Q for Q4 FY 2025-26.

May 2026

Start Gathering Documents for ITR Filing

May 31
Issue Form 16 (Part B) Regular

Employers must issue Form 16 to employees for FY 2025-26.

June 2026

Advance Tax & Early ITR Filing

Jun 15
Advance Tax – 1st Installment Important

Pay 15% of total estimated tax (cumulative including April).

Jun 30
Issue Form 16A (TDS Certificate)

Deductors issue Form 16A for TDS on non-salary payments.

July 2026 ⚠️ CRITICAL MONTH

Main ITR Filing Deadline for Most Taxpayers

Jul 31
ITR Filing Deadline CRITICAL

Last date for individuals, HUFs, partnership firms (without audit requirement) to file ITR for AY 2026-27.

Penalty: ₹5,000 (or ₹1,000 if income < ₹5 lakhs) after this date.

Jul 31
First Audit Report (44AB)

Submit first audit report if applied for extension (rare case).

Jul 31
TDS Return Q1 (Apr-Jun 2026)

File Form 24Q, 26Q, 27Q for Q1 FY 2026-27.

August 2026

Post-ITR Deadline – Belated Filing Begins

Aug 31
Belated ITR Filing (with ₹5K penalty)

Can still file ITR but with late filing fee. Cannot carry forward losses.

September 2026 🔔 Important Month

Audit Report Deadline

Sep 15
Advance Tax – 2nd Installment Important

Pay 45% of total estimated tax (cumulative).

Sep 30
Tax Audit Report (Section 44AB) CRITICAL

Submit audit report in Form 3CA/3CB & 3CD for businesses with turnover > ₹1Cr.

October 2026 ⚠️ AUDIT DEADLINE

ITR Filing for Audited Cases

Oct 31
ITR Filing (Audit Cases) CRITICAL

Last date for businesses/persons requiring audit to file ITR for AY 2026-27.

Penalty: ₹5,000 (increases to ₹10,000 after Dec 31).

Oct 31
TP Report (Transfer Pricing) Important

Submit Form 3CEB (Transfer Pricing Report) if applicable.

Oct 31
TDS Return Q2 (Jul-Sep 2026)

File Form 24Q, 26Q, 27Q for Q2 FY 2026-27.

November 2026

Post-Audit ITR Deadline

Nov 30
Belated ITR (Audit Cases)

File belated return (after Oct 31) with ₹5,000 penalty.

December 2026 🚨 Last Chance

Final Deadline for Belated/Revised Returns

Dec 15
Advance Tax – 3rd Installment Important

Pay 75% of total estimated tax (cumulative).

Dec 31
Belated/Revised ITR – FINAL DEADLINE CRITICAL

Absolute last date to file belated or revised return for AY 2026-27.

After this: ₹10,000 penalty + cannot file return at all.

January 2027

Quarterly TDS & Planning for Next FY

Jan 31
TDS Return Q3 (Oct-Dec 2026)

File Form 24Q, 26Q, 27Q for Q3 FY 2026-27.

March 2027 📊 Financial Year End

Final Advance Tax & Year-End Planning

Mar 15
Advance Tax – 4th Installment (Final) CRITICAL

Pay 100% of total estimated tax for FY 2026-27.

Interest charged at 1% per month for shortfall.

Mar 31
Financial Year Ends

Complete tax-saving investments (80C, 80D, etc.) before midnight.

Penalty Structure for Late Filing

Filing Date Category Penalty Under Section 234F Other Consequences
Before Jul 31 On-time filing ₹0 None – all benefits available
Aug 1 - Dec 31 Belated Return ₹5,000 Cannot carry forward losses
Aug 1 - Dec 31
(income < ₹5L)		 Belated Return ₹1,000 Cannot carry forward losses
After Dec 31 Too Late ₹10,000 Cannot file return; only Income Tax Department can assess

⚠️ Additional Interest Charges

Section 234A: 1% per month interest on unpaid tax from due date (Aug 1 onwards).

Section 234B: 1% per month interest on shortfall in advance tax.

Section 234C: 1% per month interest on deferment of advance tax installments.

Who Needs Audit & When?

Tax Audit (Section 44AB) Required If:

  • Business: Turnover/receipts > ₹1 crore in FY 2025-26
  • Profession: Gross receipts > ₹50 lakhs in FY 2025-26
  • Presumptive taxation (44AD) opt-out: If you show profit < 8% and exit 44AD
  • Cash transactions: Business receipts/payments > ₹1 crore in cash

Audit Report Due: September 30, 2026

ITR Filing Due (with audit): October 31, 2026

Pro Tips to Never Miss a Deadline

  1. Set calendar reminders: Add all deadlines to Google Calendar with 1-week advance alerts
  2. File early: July 15 is safer than July 31 (portal crashes under load on deadline day)
  3. Keep documents ready: Form 16, 26AS, AIS, investment proofs by June end
  4. Pay advance tax accurately: Use Form 26AS to check actual tax paid vs. estimated
  5. Hire a CA if needed: Complex cases (business income, capital gains, audit) need professional help
  6. E-verify immediately: ITR is not filed until e-verified (Aadhaar OTP, EVC, or physical DSC)

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