Have you missed the Tax Return Filing Deadline? An ITR filed for the first time after the due date is considered a Belated Return per section 139(1). A late return for an assessment year may be submitted between August 1 and December 31 of the assessment year in question. For example, belated return for FY 2023-24 (AY 2024-25) can be submitted between August 1 and December 31, 2024.

This Document Covers

What is a Belated Return ?
How start filing a Belated IT Return by yourself ?
FAQs on Belated Income Tax Filing

1. What is a Belated Return ?

Any person who has not furnished a return within the time allowed to him u/s 139(1) may furnish the return for any previous year at any time before the end of relevant assessment year. Starting from FY 2021-22, the last date for such filing is restricted to the end of the calendar year following the FY.

In a simple language .. belated IT return can be filed before the Dec 31st of the assessment year for the previous financial year. (for example belated return for FY 2021-22 should be filed on or before 31st Dec 2022*).

2. How start filing a Belated IT Return by yourself ?

To Start Register OR Login
After Login, Select the Self Service from Dashboard
Select Return Type as Belated Return
Select Tax Profile ... or the income and deductions you have
Enter the Income & Deduction details
Check Tax Saving Options from Tax Optimiser
Check any recommendations from Creative Audit
Click 'eFile' to eFile your Belated Return

Start Now

3. FAQs on Belated Income Tax Filing

1.When is the Income Tax Filing (ITR) Deadline?

Typically, it’s Jul 31st of every year but may vary based on Govt Decisions, Eg. for FY 2023-24 it is Jul 31st, 2024

2.What if you miss the deadline for filing income tax returns?

No Worry, you can file your FY 2023-24 income tax using belated return type for up to Dec 31st, 2024. Post which you may submit using "Updated" ITR.

3.What are different Return Types to choose while filing Income Tax Return (ITR)?

Original: Income Tax Return to be filed for the first time on or before due date for the selected Assessment Year.
Belated: Income Tax Return to be filed for the first time after due date.
Revised: Income Tax Return to be filed in response to a notice or a defective original return. Revised return can be filed in case of a belated return, which is filed for the same Assessment Year.

4.Do you have to pay Penalty?

Yes. Unfortunately the penalty for filing Income Tax Return after the due date is applicable from AY 2018-19. The Government of India (GOI) on Feb 2017 introduced a maximum late fee of Rs. 10,000 for delayed ITR filing by individuals. Later it was changed to Rs. 5,000 from FY 2020-21 onwards.

5.What if there is an error in my ITR?

You can file a Revised Return for the Original before the end of the current assessment year i.e., before Dec 31st, 2024 (for FY 2023-24 taxes).

6.Can I revise my belated ITR?

Yes. You can revise a belated Income Tax Return for the last financial year with in the end of the current relevant assessment year (generally, Dec 31st).

7.What about Aadhaar PAN Linking?

Deadline for linking PAN, Aadhaar cards, a must for filing ITR, is Jun 30th 2023. Without it your ITR won't be accepted. There are few exceptions to this such as those who are senior Citizens (Age > 80 years) OR who are residing in the States of Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and Meghalaya OR a non-resident as per the Income-tax Act, 1961; OR not a citizen of India.

Now, you can still link your aadhaar and PAN with a govt. fee of Rs. 1000. until further notice or before Dec 31st 2023.

Refer Tax Compliance Calendar for latest dates