The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for filing income tax returns for Assessment Year 2026-27 by taxpayers whose accounts must be audited. The new last date is November 21, 2026, instead of October 31, 2026. The Finance Ministry announced the decision through the Press Information Bureau on September 28, 2026.
Along with this, the "specified date" for furnishing the audit report for the same assessment year has been moved from September 30, 2026 to October 21, 2026.
Key points
| Item | Old date | New date |
|---|---|---|
| Tax audit report (AY 2026-27) | September 30, 2026 | October 21, 2026 |
| Income tax return for audit cases (AY 2026-27) | October 31, 2026 | November 21, 2026 |
- The extension applies to the category listed at Serial No. 2 in the table below Explanation 2 to Section 139(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 - the group whose returns are normally due on October 31 because their accounts have to be audited.
- According to the release, a formal order or notification is being issued separately.
Who is covered
The October 31 due date in the Income-tax Act covers taxpayers whose accounts are required to be audited, such as companies and businesses or professionals who cross the audit limits. These taxpayers usually need their chartered accountant to finish the audit and upload the audit report before the return itself can be filed. That is why the audit report date and the return date have both been moved, with a gap of one month between them.
Who is not covered
The extension does not apply to salaried individuals and other taxpayers whose accounts do not need an audit. Their due date for AY 2026-27 was earlier and is not changed by this release. The release speaks only of the audit category, so taxpayers in any other category should not assume their dates have moved.
What it means for you
- If you run a business or practice that needs an audit: your chartered accountant now has until October 21 to upload the audit report, and you have until November 21 to file the return.
- Plan for the portal rush: extended deadlines usually bring heavy traffic on the income tax e-filing portal in the last few days. Filing well before November 21 reduces the risk of last-minute problems.
- Check the notification: since the CBDT has said a formal order will follow, taxpayers and their advisers should read the final notification on the Income Tax Department's website once it is issued.
Background
The CBDT, which works under the Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance, frames the rules for direct taxes such as income tax. It has the power to extend statutory due dates, and it has done so for audit cases in several earlier years as well. This year's release did not give a reason for the extension.
For other money deadlines this season, see our report on the deferred bank strike of September 28-30.
