The Income Tax Department has announced that over 4 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) have been filed for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27. The department has urged eligible taxpayers to file ITR-1 and ITR-2 well before the July 31 deadline to avoid last-minute congestion on the e-filing portal.
Key Highlights
- More than 4 crore ITRs filed for AY 2026-27 so far.
- Taxpayers advised to file ITR-1 and ITR-2 before the July 31 deadline.
- ITR filings have grown steadily, reaching 9.19 crore in FY 2024-25.
- Revised ITR forms include updated disclosure requirements for capital gains and share buybacks.
New Delhi, July 27: The Income Tax Department on Monday announced that more than 4 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) have already been filed for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27, reflecting a strong response from taxpayers ahead of the filing deadline. In a post on X, the department encouraged eligible taxpayers to submit their ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-2 returns at the earliest, urging them not to wait until the last few days before the July 31 due date. Early filing helps taxpayers avoid heavy traffic on the e-filing portal and enables faster processing of returns and refunds.
The latest milestone comes less than a week after the department reported that ITR filings had crossed the 3 crore mark, with more than 15 lakh returns filed in a single day. Earlier this month, over 1.7 crore taxpayers had already completed their return filing, indicating a steady acceleration in compliance as the deadline approaches. The consistent increase in daily filings highlights growing awareness among taxpayers and the widespread adoption of the government’s digital tax filing system.
Data available on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal also reflects sustained growth in return filings over the past few financial years. A total of 9.19 crore ITRs were filed in FY 2024-25, compared with 8.52 crore in FY 2023-24 and 7.78 crore in FY 2022-23. The department has repeatedly advised taxpayers to complete the filing process early to ensure smoother verification, quicker refunds and a hassle-free experience on the online portal.
For AY 2026-27, ITR-1 (Sahaj) is applicable to resident individuals with a total income of up to ₹50 lakh from salary, one house property and other sources, including agricultural income up to ₹5,000. ITR-2 is meant for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) without business or professional income but having income from sources such as capital gains. Earlier this year, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) notified revised ITR forms incorporating updated disclosure requirements, including reporting norms for long-term capital gains, share buyback losses and certain trading transactions, making timely and accurate filing even more important.
With over 4 crore ITRs already filed for AY 2026-27, the Income Tax Department continues to encourage taxpayers to file their returns before the July 31 deadline to avoid last-minute delays and ensure faster processing.
