Income Tax Due Dates Oct-Dec 2026: Audit, ITR and Advance Tax
Every income tax deadline from October to December 2026, including the extended audit and ITR dates under CBDT Circular 07/2026, advance tax and belated returns.
The key income tax due dates for October to December 2026 are: 21 October for tax audit reports, 31 October for TDS statements for the July to September quarter, 21 November for ITRs of audit cases, 30 November for transfer pricing cases, 15 December for the third advance tax instalment, and 31 December for belated and revised returns for AY 2026-27. This guide (updated October 2026) explains each deadline, who it applies to, what it costs to miss it, and a simple plan for small businesses and professionals.
Key Takeaways
- CBDT Circular No. 07/2026 (28 September 2026) extended the tax audit report date to 21 October 2026 and the ITR due date for audit cases to 21 November 2026 for AY 2026-27.
- Transfer pricing cases (Section 92E reports) were not covered by the extension; their ITR date remains 30 November 2026.
- By 15 December 2026, at least 75% of estimated tax for tax year 2026-27 should be paid as advance tax.
- 31 December 2026 is the last date for a belated return for AY 2026-27, with a late fee of up to Rs 5,000.
- Rules and dates can change through CBDT circulars; confirm on the e-filing portal and with your CA before filing.
Income tax due dates October to December 2026: quick table
| Date | What is due | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Oct 2026 (Wed) | Tax audit report for AY 2026-27 (extended from 30 Sep) | Businesses and professionals whose accounts must be audited under Section 44AB |
| 31 Oct 2026 (Sat) | Quarterly TDS statements for July to September 2026 | All deductors (Form 138 for salary, Form 140 for other resident payments) |
| 31 Oct 2026 (Sat) | Transfer pricing report (Form 3CEB) for AY 2026-27 | Taxpayers with international or specified domestic transactions |
| 21 Nov 2026 (Sat) | ITR for AY 2026-27 (extended from 31 Oct) | Companies, firms and others whose accounts require audit; working partners of audited firms |
| 30 Nov 2026 (Mon) | ITR for AY 2026-27 | Taxpayers required to furnish a Section 92E report |
| 15 Dec 2026 (Tue) | Third advance tax instalment, tax year 2026-27 (75% cumulative) | Anyone with estimated tax of Rs 10,000 or more after TDS/TCS |
| 31 Dec 2026 (Thu) | Belated return for AY 2026-27; revised return without extra fee | Anyone who missed the original due date or needs to correct a filed return |
Two different tax laws are at work this season. Returns and audits for AY 2026-27 (income earned from April 2025 to March 2026) still follow the Income-tax Act, 1961. Advance tax and TDS for income earned from 1 April 2026 follow the new Income-tax Act, 2025, which uses the term “tax year” instead of previous year and assessment year. That is why form numbers and section numbers in your CA’s emails may look unfamiliar.
21 October 2026: tax audit report
The CBDT normally expects audit reports by 30 September. This year, CBDT Circular No. 07/2026 dated 28 September 2026 extended the return due date for audit cases from 31 October to 21 November 2026. As a consequence, the “specified date” for the audit report under the Explanation to Section 44AB moved to 21 October 2026.
Who needs a tax audit
Broadly, a tax audit applies to businesses whose turnover crosses the Section 44AB limits (Rs 1 crore, or up to Rs 10 crore where cash receipts and payments are each within 5% of the total), professionals with gross receipts above Rs 50 lakh, and certain presumptive-taxation cases where lower income is declared. These thresholds have specific conditions, so confirm with your CA.
What to send your CA this week
- Final books of accounts, bank statements and reconciliations for FY 2025-26
- GST returns (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B) and the GST reconciliation
- Fixed asset register with additions and sales
- Loan statements, interest certificates and TDS certificates
- Details of payments to MSMEs outstanding beyond 45 days (relevant to Section 43B(h))
Penalty for not getting accounts audited or not furnishing the report is 0.5% of turnover or gross receipts, up to Rs 1.5 lakh, under Section 271B, unless there is reasonable cause.
31 October 2026: TDS statements and transfer pricing reports
Quarterly TDS statements for July to September 2026 are due on 31 October. Because this quarter falls under the new law, the old Forms 24Q and 26Q have new numbers: Form 138 for salary TDS and Form 140 for TDS on other payments to residents. The deadline pattern itself has not changed. Late filing attracts a fee of Rs 200 per day, capped at the amount of TDS, so do not let this slide while everyone is busy with audits.
For businesses with international or specified domestic transactions, the accountant’s report under Section 92E (Form 3CEB) is due one month before the ITR due date for such cases, which works out to 31 October 2026.
21 November 2026: ITR for audit cases
This is the big one for companies, LLPs and partnership firms that require an audit, and for working partners of those firms. The circular moved the date from 31 October to 21 November 2026. The CBDT announced the extension through the e-filing portal’s news section; you can see the notice on the Income Tax Department’s latest news page.
A few practical points:
- Interest still runs. If you have unpaid self-assessment tax, interest at 1% per month generally continues to apply. Commentators have noted that the circular does not specifically address Section 234A interest, so pay any balance tax early rather than waiting for the last day.
- Carry-forward of losses depends on filing by the due date. Business losses and capital losses cannot be carried forward if the return is belated.
- Portal load. The e-filing portal tends to slow down in the last three or four days before any deadline. Aim to file by 15 November.
30 November 2026: transfer pricing cases
Taxpayers required to furnish a report under Section 92E were not part of the 21 November extension. Their ITR due date for AY 2026-27 stays at 30 November 2026, unless the CBDT notifies otherwise.
15 December 2026: third advance tax instalment
Advance tax for income earned in tax year 2026-27 (April 2026 to March 2027) is the first to fall under the Income-tax Act, 2025. According to India Briefing’s summary of the new provisions, the threshold and schedule are unchanged: advance tax applies if your estimated tax for the year is Rs 10,000 or more after TDS and TCS.
| Due date | Cumulative advance tax to be paid |
|---|---|
| 15 June 2026 | At least 15% |
| 15 September 2026 | At least 45% |
| 15 December 2026 | At least 75% |
| 15 March 2027 | 100% |
Taxpayers who opt for presumptive taxation for business or profession have traditionally been allowed to pay the whole amount in one instalment by 15 March; check with your CA how this applies under the new Act.
Worked example: a freelancer in Pune
Take an illustrative case. A freelance designer in Pune estimates total tax of Rs 1,20,000 for tax year 2026-27, and clients have deducted TDS of Rs 30,000. Net advance tax liability is Rs 90,000.
- By 15 December, 75% of Rs 90,000, i.e. Rs 67,500, should have been paid in total.
- If she paid Rs 13,500 in June and Rs 27,000 in September (total Rs 40,500), she needs to pay Rs 27,000 by 15 December.
- Shortfalls attract interest, generally at 1% per month on the shortfall for the relevant period.
If your income jumped after a big Diwali season, re-estimate before 15 December. Paying a little extra now is cheaper than the interest later.
31 December 2026: belated and revised returns
If you missed the original due date for AY 2026-27, you can still file a belated return until 31 December 2026. The cost:
- Late fee of Rs 5,000, reduced to Rs 1,000 if total income does not exceed Rs 5 lakh.
- Interest on unpaid tax, generally at 1% per month.
- Loss of the right to carry forward most losses (house property loss is an exception).
A revised return corrects mistakes in a return already filed. The 31 December 2026 date is the usual outer limit. The Finance Act 2026 extended the revision window from 9 to 12 months from the end of the relevant year, so for AY 2026-27 a revision may be possible until 31 March 2027 with an additional fee. Commentators have flagged some drafting questions, so treat the extended window as a fallback and revise by 31 December where you can.
Also due on 31 December, though not income tax: the GST annual return (GSTR-9) for FY 2025-26, for businesses above the threshold. If your CA handles both, expect a crowded December.
A simple compliance plan for October to December
- This week: confirm with your CA whether you are an audit case, a transfer pricing case, or neither. That decides which of the dates above apply to you.
- By 15 October: hand over books and documents for audit.
- By 21 October: audit report uploaded and accepted on the portal by you (the taxpayer must approve the CA’s upload).
- By 31 October: TDS statements filed; Form 3CEB if applicable.
- By 15 November: ITR filed for audit cases; e-verify within the allowed time.
- Early December: re-estimate income for tax year 2026-27 and pay the advance tax instalment.
- Before Christmas: check that your filed return is processed; file any belated or revised return.
Do not forget to e-verify
A return that is not verified is treated as not filed. Verify through Aadhaar OTP, net banking, a demat or bank account EVC, or a digital signature. For companies and audit cases, a digital signature is generally mandatory. The current time limit for verification is 30 days from filing; check the portal for the latest rule.
If you are likely to miss a date
Deadlines slip for real reasons: an auditor falls ill, a bank delays a certificate, a partner is travelling. What you do in the days before the deadline decides how much it costs.
- Audit report running late: tell your CA as early as possible and get the report uploaded even a few days late rather than not at all. Penalty under Section 271B can be waived for reasonable cause, so keep written records of what caused the delay.
- ITR for an audit case running late: pay the self-assessment tax first, even if the return itself is a few days late, to limit interest. Remember that carry-forward of business losses is lost on a belated return.
- Advance tax shortfall: pay whatever you can by 15 December. Interest is calculated on the shortfall, so a partial payment still reduces it.
- TDS statement late: the Rs 200 per day fee keeps adding up, so file as soon as the data is ready.
Do not wait for a last-minute extension. The CBDT has extended dates in some years and not in others, and extensions are usually announced only days before the deadline, as happened with Circular 07/2026 two days before the original audit date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to file ITR for AY 2026-27 for audit cases?
The due date is 21 November 2026, after CBDT Circular No. 07/2026 extended it from 31 October 2026. Transfer pricing cases remain on 30 November 2026.
Has the tax audit report due date been extended for 2026?
Yes. The specified date for furnishing the tax audit report for AY 2026-27 is now 21 October 2026, extended from 30 September 2026.
What is the last date for a belated return for AY 2026-27?
31 December 2026, with a late fee of Rs 5,000 (Rs 1,000 if total income is up to Rs 5 lakh) plus any interest on unpaid tax.
Is advance tax due on 15 December 2026?
Yes. By 15 December 2026, at least 75% of your estimated tax for tax year 2026-27, after TDS and TCS, should have been paid if your liability is Rs 10,000 or more.
Does the new Income-tax Act, 2025 change my AY 2026-27 return?
Generally no. Returns for income earned in FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) are filed under the 1961 Act. The new Act applies to income earned from 1 April 2026, which is why advance tax and TDS for the current year use new section and form numbers.
Can I revise my return after 31 December 2026?
The Finance Act 2026 extended the revision window to 12 months from the end of the relevant year, which for AY 2026-27 points to 31 March 2027 with an extra fee. Confirm the exact position on the e-filing portal or with your CA before relying on it.
Put the dates in your calendar today
Set reminders for 21 October, 31 October, 21 November, 15 December and 31 December, each a week ahead of the actual date. Most penalties and interest come from last-minute rushes, not from complex tax questions. Tax rules and deadlines change often, sometimes by circular days before a due date, so verify each date on the official e-filing portal and take advice from a chartered accountant for your specific situation.
