ITR 3, ITR 4 Deadline Missed? You Can Still File A Belated Return Till December 31

More than 78 million income tax returns (ITRs) for assessment year 2026-27 had been filed by August 31, 2026, according to the Income Tax Department. The department shared the figure on September 1, a day after the deadline for filing ITR 3 and ITR 4 for eligible non-audit taxpayers.

Missing the August 31 deadline does not mean that taxpayers have lost the opportunity to file their returns. A belated ITR can be filed until December 31, 2026, subject to the applicable rules and conditions.

Late Fees And Interest

Taxpayers who have missed submitting ITR 3 or ITR 4 by August 31 can generally use the belated return facility until December 31, 2026. A late-filing fee under Section 234F can be charged. The maximum fee is Rs 5,000. For taxpayers whose total income does not exceed Rs 5 lakh, the fee is capped at Rs 1,000.

Interest may also be payable, depending on the tax liability and the circumstances of the taxpayer. Interest provisions under Sections 234A, 234B and 234C can apply when their respective conditions are met.

Old Tax Regime May Not Be Available

There is an additional consideration for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) earning income from a business or profession.

Taxpayers with such income who want to move out of the new tax regime (NTR) have to submit Form 10-IEA within the due date prescribed under Section 139(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

As a result, a taxpayer who was required to file ITR 3 or ITR 4 by August 31, but missed the deadline, cannot opt for the old tax regime (OTR) for AY 2026-27 through a belated return.

Who Should File ITR 3

ITR 3 is meant for individuals and HUFs with income from business or profession who do not qualify to use ITR 1, ITR 2 or ITR 4. This can include taxpayers for whom the presumptive taxation provisions are not applicable, or those required to maintain detailed books of accounts. Certain taxpayers with business or professional losses may also need to use ITR 3.

Who Can Use ITR 4

ITR 4, also known as Sugam, is available to eligible resident individuals, HUFs and firms other than limited liability partnerships (LLPs). The form can be used where total income is up to Rs 50 lakh, and business or professional income is calculated under the presumptive taxation provisions of Sections 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Taxpayers who have missed the August 31 deadline should check which return form applies to them and calculate any applicable late fee and interest before filing a belated return.