ITR filing AY 2026-27 begins: Excel utilities for ITR-1, ITR-4 live
Synopsis
The Income Tax Department has opened ITR filing for AY 2026-27 with the release of Excel utilities for ITR-1 and ITR-4 — earlier than many taxpayers expected. With new disclosure norms on capital gains and buyback losses, and a 31 July deadline in sight, the window to file accurately — and avoid last-minute errors — is now open.
Key Takeaways
The Income Tax Department launched ITR filing for AY 2026-27 on 15 May 2025 .
Excel utilities for ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-4 (Sugam) are now live on the e-filing portal.
Both offline (Excel + JSON upload) and online filing modes are available.
Non-audit taxpayers face a 31 July filing deadline.
Revised forms include new disclosures on long-term capital gains , share buyback losses , and certain trading transactions.
India's net direct tax collections for FY 2025-26 rose 5.12% year-on-year to ₹23,40,406 crore , per CBDT data.
The Income Tax Department on Friday, 15 May 2025 officially launched the ITR filing process for Assessment Year 2026-27 (financial year 2025-26), releasing Excel utilities for ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-4 (Sugam) forms on the e-filing portal. Taxpayers can now use both offline Excel utilities and online filing options to submit their returns.
What Has Been Enabled
The department announced the development on social media platform X, confirming that both the Excel utility and the online filing modes are now active for the two forms. Taxpayers opting for the offline route can fill out the forms, generate a JSON file, and upload it to the Income Tax Department's e-filing website after completing verification.
The deadline for most non-audit taxpayers remains 31 July, as is standard. At present, seven ITR forms are available, each applicable to a different category of taxpayer and income type.
Who Can File ITR-1 and ITR-4
ITR-1 (Sahaj) is designed for resident individuals — excluding those classified as not ordinarily resident — with an annual income of up to ₹50 lakh. ITR-4 (Sugam) applies to resident individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and firms other than LLPs with annual income up to ₹50 lakh.
Key Changes in This Year's Forms
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had earlier notified the ITR forms for AY 2026-27 with revised disclosure norms. The changes introduce additional reporting requirements covering long-term capital gains, losses from share buybacks, and certain trading transactions — reflecting tighter scrutiny of investment income.
This comes amid a broader upswing in direct tax collections. According to data released by the CBDT, India's net direct tax collections for FY 2025-26 rose 5.12 per cent year-on-year to ₹23,40,406 crore, signalling steady growth in the tax base.
What Taxpayers Should Do Next
Filers are advised to download the latest Excel utilities from the official e-filing portal and cross-check pre-filled data before submission. With the 31 July deadline in place for non-audit cases, the department's early release of utilities gives taxpayers a wider window to file without last-minute congestion. Utilities for the remaining ITR forms are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Point of View
But the real story is what the revised forms demand: granular disclosure on capital gains, buyback losses, and trading transactions. This is not routine form-tweaking — it reflects the CBDT's intent to tighten investment income reporting at a time when retail participation in equities has surged. Taxpayers who assume this year's filing is identical to last year's risk errors that could trigger scrutiny. The 5.12% growth in direct tax collections also deserves a closer read — steady, but below the double-digit pace of prior years, suggesting the buoyancy from formalisation may be plateauing.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did ITR filing for AY 2026-27 begin?
ITR filing for Assessment Year 2026-27 officially began on 15 May 2025, when the Income Tax Department released Excel utilities for ITR-1 and ITR-4 on its e-filing portal. Both offline and online filing modes are now active.
Who can file ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-4 (Sugam)?
ITR-1 (Sahaj) is for resident individuals — excluding not ordinarily resident taxpayers — with annual income up to ₹50 lakh. ITR-4 (Sugam) covers resident individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and firms other than LLPs with annual income up to ₹50 lakh.
What is the deadline for filing ITR for AY 2026-27?
Non-audit taxpayers are generally required to file their Income Tax Returns by 31 July. This deadline applies to the majority of individual filers.
What are the key changes in ITR forms for AY 2026-27?
The CBDT has introduced revised disclosure norms requiring additional reporting on long-term capital gains, losses from share buybacks, and certain trading transactions. These changes reflect tighter scrutiny of investment-related income.
How can taxpayers file ITR offline using the Excel utility?
Taxpayers can download the Excel utility from the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal, fill out the form offline, generate a JSON file, and upload it to the portal after completing the required verification steps.
