Filing ITR After August 31, 2026? Know the Process, Late Fee and Interest

August 31, 2026 - August 31 is the deadline for filing your ITR for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27). However, if you have missed the deadline you need not worry because you can still go ahead and file your returns. It will generally be treated as a belated return under Section 139(4). According to the Income Tax Department, the belated-return deadline for AY 2026-27 is December 31, 2026, or completion of assessment, whichever is first. I

Any ITR which is filed after August 31 will follow the normal ITR filing process. But, since you are filing after the original due date, you will have to pay a late-filing fine. Therefore, select Section 139(4) – Belated Return and pay any applicable tax, interest and late-filing fee.

Section 428 of the Income Tax Act, 2025, prescribes the fee for delayed ITR filing. The amount is the same as under the old Act (Section 234F of 1961 Act). The late fee is Rs 1,000 if your total income is up to Rs 5 lakh and Rs 5,000 if your total income is above Rs 5 lakh.

Secondly, if you have tax payable after accounting for TDS, advance tax, etc., you may have to pay interest, if any. That amount will depend on your actual tax liability and the dates involved.

Thirdly, you will have to pay your actual income-tax liability. This is not a penalty for late filing but the amount you owe in tax after calculating your income and TDS.