ITR filing AY 2026-27: Over 5.5 crore returns filed by July 31 deadline
Synopsis
With 42 lakh returns filed in a single day on 30 July and the total crossing 5.5 crore by deadline morning, India's ITR filing season is on track to rival last year's 9-crore record. The CBDT's revised forms — covering capital gains and buyback losses — added complexity this cycle, making the last-day rush even more consequential.
Key Takeaways
Over 5.5 crore ITRs were filed for AY 2026-27 by the morning of 31 July 2025 , the filing deadline.
42 lakh returns were submitted on 30 July alone , marking a sharp last-day surge.
Filings grew from 1.7 crore on 11 July to 3 crore by 22 July to 5 crore by 30 July .
The CBDT has revised ITR forms for AY 2026-27, adding disclosures on long-term capital gains , share buyback losses , and trading transactions.
In FY 2024-25 , over 9 crore taxpayers filed returns and refunds of ₹4.35 lakh crore were issued.
Taxpayers who miss the deadline can file a belated return by 31 December 2025 , subject to a late fee of up to ₹5,000 .
More than 5.5 crore income tax returns (ITRs) have been filed for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27 as of 31 July 2025, the Income Tax Department confirmed on Friday, with taxpayers making a last-minute rush to meet the statutory deadline. The surge underscores the growing scale of India's direct-tax compliance base even as the department urges filers to avoid portal congestion.
Filing Momentum Through the Month
The pace of ITR submissions accelerated sharply through July. Filings stood at 1.7 crore by 11 July, climbed to 3 crore by 22 July, crossed 4 crore on 27 July, and breached 5 crore on 30 July — before reaching the 5.5 crore mark on the deadline day itself. Notably, over 42 lakh ITRs were filed on 30 July alone, reflecting the familiar last-day spike that tax authorities have repeatedly cautioned against.
What the Department Said
In a post on social media platform X, the Income Tax Department wrote: 'Less than 24 hours to go! Over 5.5 crore ITRs have already been filed for AY 2026-27 (with over 42 lakh filed on July 30 alone!). File now, File calmly!' The department has consistently advised taxpayers to reconcile details from Form 16, the Annual Information Statement (AIS), Form 26AS, bank statements, and other income records before submitting returns, to minimise errors and subsequent notices.
Who the Deadline Covers
The 31 July deadline applies to individual taxpayers and entities not required to have their accounts audited. Businesses and professionals subject to tax audit face a separate, later deadline. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified revised ITR forms for AY 2026-27, incorporating updated disclosure requirements covering long-term capital gains, losses from share buybacks, and certain trading transactions — changes that required many filers to carefully review their documentation before filing.
Context: Last Year's Compliance Numbers
In FY 2024-25, more than 9 crore taxpayers filed income tax returns, while the department issued refunds worth over ₹4.35 lakh crore. This year's tally of 5.5 crore by the deadline morning suggests final numbers could again approach or exceed last year's total, depending on late-day filings and any extension the government may announce. This is the third consecutive year in which the e-filing portal has handled record-level traffic on the July 31 date.
What Happens Next
Taxpayers who miss the 31 July deadline can still file a belated return by 31 December 2025, subject to a late fee of up to ₹5,000 under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act, along with applicable interest on any tax due. The Income Tax Department is expected to publish final filing figures after the portal closes for the day.
Point of View
But the real story is structural: India's tax base is growing, yet the last-day pile-up persists year after year despite repeated official warnings. The CBDT's revised forms for AY 2026-27 — adding capital gains and buyback-loss disclosures — raised the compliance bar this cycle, yet filings accelerated. What the department has not solved is portal resilience; a crash on deadline day would expose millions of filers to avoidable late fees. The government's reluctance to extend deadlines pre-emptively, even when portal stress is predictable, remains a policy blind spot that falls hardest on salaried filers without professional tax help.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ITRs have been filed for AY 2026-27 so far?
More than 5.5 crore income tax returns have been filed for Assessment Year 2026-27 as of 31 July 2025, the filing deadline day. Over 42 lakh of those were submitted on 30 July alone.
What is the ITR filing deadline for AY 2026-27?
The deadline for individual taxpayers and non-audit entities to file their income tax returns for AY 2026-27 is 31 July 2025. Those subject to a tax audit have a separate, later due date.
What happens if I miss the July 31 ITR deadline?
Taxpayers who miss the 31 July deadline can file a belated return up to 31 December 2025, but will be liable for a late fee of up to ₹5,000 under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act, plus interest on any unpaid tax.
What changes has the CBDT made to ITR forms for AY 2026-27?
The Central Board of Direct Taxes has notified revised ITR forms for AY 2026-27 that include updated disclosure requirements covering long-term capital gains, losses arising from share buybacks, and certain trading transactions. Filers are advised to reconcile Form 16, AIS, and Form 26AS before submitting.
How does this year's filing count compare to last year?
In FY 2024-25, more than 9 crore taxpayers filed income tax returns. With 5.5 crore already filed by deadline morning this year, the final count — including late-day filings — could again approach that mark, depending on portal traffic and any government announcement on extension.
