India Income Tax Deadlines: Aug-Dec 2026

Getting your finances in order means knowing your tax deadlines, especially if you’ve just started earning. For Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27, covering income from FY 2025-26, several key dates are coming up from August to December 2026 that you absolutely need to mark on your calendar.

It’s important to remember that even though a new Income Tax Act, 2025, came into effect on April 1, 2026, the Income Tax Act, 1961, still applies for income you earned during the financial year 2025-26. This means the rules you’re familiar with mostly stay the same for these upcoming deadlines.

Crucial Tax Deadlines Ahead

Here are the crucial dates to watch out for to manage your tax obligations effectively:

• August 31, 2026: This is your deadline for filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) if you don’t require a tax audit and fall into a specific extended due-date group.
• September 15, 2026: If you’re someone who pays advance tax, make sure you’ve paid your second installment by this date. By now, you should have cumulatively paid 45% of your estimated annual advance tax liability.
• September 30, 2026: If your accounts need an audit for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), this is the last day to submit your tax audit report. The corresponding ITR filing for audited cases is later, on October 31.
• October 31, 2026: This is a big one! It’s the ITR filing deadline if your accounts are subject to a tax audit. It’s also when certain Quarterly TDS and TCS compliance for the July-September quarter is due.
• November 30, 2026: For those taxpayers dealing with transfer-pricing provisions, your tax audit report needs to be in by October 31, making this the next key date for related filings.
• December 15, 2026: The third installment of advance tax is due here. By this date, you should have cumulatively paid 75% of your estimated annual advance tax liability, especially if you have significant non-salary income.
• December 31, 2026: If you missed your original ITR deadline for AY 2026-27, this is generally your last chance to file a belated ITR, provided your assessment hasn’t been completed yet.

Understanding Revised Returns

While December 31, 2026, is for belated returns, don’t confuse it with the deadline for revised returns. You can file a revised return for AY 2026-27 under the Income Tax Act, 1961, before March 31, 2027, or before your assessment is completed, whichever comes first.

Staying informed about these dates helps you avoid penalties and manage your money smartly. Mark these deadlines now to ensure a smooth tax season for your first (or next) big earnings!