Taxpayers Rush Before Deadline
Key Highlights
- Over 5.5 crore ITRs filed for AY 2026–27.
- More than 42 lakh returns filed on July 30 alone.
- July 31 remains the deadline for ITR-1 and ITR-2.
- Department urges taxpayers to avoid last-minute delays.
- Verification mandatory for valid return submission.
- ITR-1 meant for salaried taxpayers with income up to ₹50 lakh.
- Heavy traffic expected on the e-filing portal.
The Income Tax Department has announced that more than 5.5 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) have been filed for the Assessment Year (AY) 2026–27, reflecting a sharp rise in submissions as taxpayers rushed to complete the process before the July 31 deadline.
According to the department, over 42 lakh returns were filed on July 30 alone, making it one of the busiest days of the filing season. The surge highlights the annual trend of last-minute compliance, with millions of taxpayers waiting until the final days to submit their returns.
The last date for filing ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-2 for AY 2026–27 is July 31, 2026. With the deadline approaching, the Income Tax Department urged taxpayers who have not yet filed their returns to complete the process promptly to avoid delays caused by heavy traffic on the e-filing portal.
In a message shared on social media platform X, the department noted that more than 5.5 crore returns had already been received and encouraged taxpayers to “File now, File calmly,” advising them not to wait until the final hours.
ITR-1, popularly known as Sahaj, is designed for resident individuals with an annual income of up to ₹50 lakh. The form is applicable to taxpayers earning income from salary or pension, one house property, interest income and agricultural income up to ₹5,000. It remains the most commonly used return form for salaried employees and pensioners across the country.
ITR-2 is applicable to individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) who do not have income from business or profession but earn income from capital gains, multiple house properties or other specified sources. Taxpayers whose income profile falls outside the scope of ITR-1 are generally required to file this form.
The department has advised taxpayers to carefully verify all information before submitting their returns, including personal details, bank account information, tax deductions and income disclosures. Officials also reminded filers that an ITR is treated as complete only after it has been successfully verified through approved methods such as Aadhaar OTP, net banking, digital signature or other authorised verification modes.
Tax experts believe the increasing adoption of digital filing, improved compliance awareness and simplified return forms have contributed to the steady rise in ITR filings over the past few years. The government has also introduced several technological improvements to make online filing faster and more user-friendly.
However, authorities warned that filing returns during peak hours on the final day could result in slower portal response times due to exceptionally high user traffic. Taxpayers were therefore encouraged to complete both filing and verification well before the deadline.
Failure to file an income tax return within the prescribed timeline may attract penalties, interest on outstanding tax liabilities and restrictions on carrying forward certain losses under the provisions of the Income Tax Act, wherever applicable.
With the filing deadline ending on July 31, the Income Tax Department expects another significant surge in return submissions before the portal closes. Officials reiterated that timely filing not only helps taxpayers avoid penalties but also ensures quicker processing of refunds and smoother tax compliance.
