Missed the ITR Filing Last Date for FY 2025-26 – What Are My Options?

I checked the Income Tax portal after missing the deadline, and the option to file a belated return was still available.

Before submitting, I downloaded my Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS to make sure all my TDS entries and bank interest had been reported correctly. That helped me avoid having to revise the return later.

If you haven't already, I'd suggest reconciling your income with those records before filing. It saved me quite a bit of time.

I'm based in Canada and also file as an NRI because I have rental income in India.

Missing the deadline wasn't ideal, but it wasn't the end of the world. I filed after the due date, verified the return online, and eventually everything was processed normally.

One thing I learned was that filing late can affect the ability to carry forward certain losses, so if you have capital losses or business losses, it's worth checking the rules carefully. Requirements can differ depending on your situation, so don't rely only on forum discussions.

I was in a similar situation last year. I missed the original deadline because I was travelling overseas and ended up filing a belated return a few weeks later.

The return was accepted through the Income Tax e-filing portal without any technical problems. I did have to pay the applicable late filing fee and interest before submitting the return because I had some tax payable.

If your return results in a refund instead of additional tax, you can generally still file a belated return within the permitted timeline. I received my refund, although it took a little longer than expected. Just make sure you calculate everything correctly before filing.