ITR Filing 2026: Step-by-Step Guide To File Your Income Tax Return Online Before the July 31 Deadline

With the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns for Assessment Year 2026-27 set for July 31, taxpayers still left to file have only a day or two remaining to complete the process online. Here is a step-by-step guide to filing your ITR through the Income Tax e-filing portal, along with the latest updates on deadlines and possible extensions.

Who Needs To File By July 31

The July 31 deadline applies to individual taxpayers filing ITR-1 and ITR-2, which covers most salaried employees and those without business or professional income. Taxpayers filing ITR-3 and ITR-4, largely those with business or professional income who are not required to undergo a tax audit, have already been given a later deadline of August 31, 2026. ITR for AY 2026-27: How to Calculate Dues Under Old vs New Tax Regimes Ahead of July 31 Deadline.

Those who miss the July 31 deadline can still file a belated return by December 31, though this comes with a late fee. Individuals with annual income exceeding INR 5 lakh face a late fee of INR 5,000 for filing after the due date.

Step-By-Step Guide To File ITR Online

Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal and log in using your PAN or Aadhaar, along with your password and captcha code. First-time users need to register using their PAN, Aadhaar, mobile number and email ID before logging in.

Step 2: Once logged in, navigate to 'e-File' > 'Income Tax Returns' > 'File Income Tax Return' to begin the process.

Step 3: Select Assessment Year 2026-27, since income earned during FY 2025-26 must be declared under this assessment year.

Step 4: Choose 'Online' as the mode of filing and click 'Continue'. If you had previously started a return but did not complete it, the portal may offer a 'Resume Filing' option; otherwise, select 'Start New Filing' to begin fresh.

Step 5: Select your taxpayer 'Status', such as Individual or Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), as this determines which sections of the form you will see.

Step 6: Choose the appropriate ITR form. Most salaried individuals will select ITR-1, while those with other applicable income sources may need ITR-2. Selecting the wrong form can lead to a defective return, along with possible penalties and delays in refunds.

Step 7: Fill in the required sections, including personal information, gross total income, deductions, and tax paid, then proceed to validation.

Step 8: Preview your return and submit it. After submission, verify your ITR either electronically through an Aadhaar OTP or Electronic Verification Code (EVC), or by sending a signed physical copy of the ITR-V to the Centralised Processing Center, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru, within 120 days of filing.

Returns not e-verified within 30 days of filing are treated as invalid, so completing this step promptly is important for faster processing and quicker refunds. ITR Filing Last Date: What Happens if You Miss the July 31 Deadline?

Portal Glitches And Deadline Extension Speculation

With the deadline approaching, some taxpayers have reported technical issues on the e-filing portal, including problems accessing Form 26AS, viewing the Annual Information Statement (AIS), website performance issues, validation errors, and delays on the TRACES portal.

As of July 28, there was no official announcement from the Income Tax Department regarding an extension of the July 31 deadline. Tax experts remain divided on the likelihood of an extension, with some noting that the government has stated the portal is functioning smoothly and that most earlier technical issues have been resolved. Others believe a short extension could still be considered if glitches persist closer to the deadline.

The income tax e-filing support helpline has been operating 24x7 from July 25 through the end of the day on July 31 to assist taxpayers during this final stretch.

Background

Filing deadlines have seen frequent extensions in recent years. For AY 2025-26, the CBDT had extended the ITR deadline from July 31 to September 15, citing significant revisions to ITR forms and delays in TDS credit reflections, and later extended it by one additional day following technical glitches that disrupted filings.

For now, taxpayers are advised to complete their filing well ahead of July 31 rather than waiting until the last moment, given the possibility of portal congestion as the deadline nears.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2026 07:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).