Tax Calendar 2026: All Important Income Tax Dates for FY 2025-26
Missing a tax deadline can cost you money - late fees, interest, and even inability to carry forward losses. This calendar covers every important income tax date for Financial Year 2025-26 (Assessment Year 2026-27).
Bookmark this page. We'll keep it updated if any deadlines change.
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Quick Reference - The Most Important Dates
Save These Dates
| What | Who | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Advance Tax - 4th Installment | If tax liability > Rs 10,000 | March 15, 2026 |
| Tax-Saving Investments | Everyone (Old Regime) | March 31, 2026 |
| Form 16 from Employer | Salaried employees | June 15, 2026 |
| ITR Filing (Non-Audit) | Individuals, HUFs | July 31, 2026 |
| ITR Filing (ITR-3, ITR-4) | Business income (non-audit) | August 31, 2026 |
| Tax Audit Report | Businesses requiring audit | September 30, 2026 |
| ITR Filing (Audit Cases) | Companies, audited firms | October 31, 2026 |
| Transfer Pricing Report | International transactions | October 31, 2026 |
| ITR (Transfer Pricing) | Section 92E cases | November 30, 2026 |
| Belated/Revised Return | Missed original deadline | December 31, 2026 |
Advance Tax Dates
If your total tax liability for the year is Rs 10,000 or more (after TDS), you must pay advance tax in installments. Failing to do so attracts interest under Sections 234B and 234C.
| Installment | Due Date | Cumulative Tax Payable |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Installment | June 15, 2025 | 15% of total tax |
| 2nd Installment | September 15, 2025 | 45% of total tax |
| 3rd Installment | December 15, 2025 | 75% of total tax |
| 4th Installment | March 15, 2026 | 100% of total tax |
Tip for freelancers: If you're under the presumptive taxation scheme (Section 44AD/44ADA), you can pay the entire advance tax in a single installment by March 15, 2026.
Interest on shortfall: If you pay less than the required percentage, interest @ 1% per month is charged on the shortfall (Section 234C).
TDS Payment & Return Dates
TDS Payment Deadline
TDS deducted must be deposited to the government by the 7th of the following month.
Exception: For March, TDS can be paid by April 30th (but April 7th is recommended to avoid issues).
TDS Return Filing Deadlines
| Quarter | Period | Due Date (24Q, 26Q, 27Q) |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | April - June 2025 | July 31, 2025 |
| Q2 | July - September 2025 | October 31, 2025 |
| Q3 | October - December 2025 | January 31, 2026 |
| Q4 | January - March 2026 | May 31, 2026 |
TDS Certificate Deadlines
| Certificate | For | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Form 16 | Salary TDS | June 15, 2026 |
| Form 16A | Non-salary TDS (each quarter) | 15 days from TDS return due date |
ITR Filing Deadlines
| Category | ITR Form | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried individuals (no business income) | ITR-1, ITR-2 | July 31, 2026 |
| Business/profession income (non-audit) | ITR-3, ITR-4 | August 31, 2026 |
| Businesses requiring tax audit | ITR-3, ITR-5, ITR-6 | October 31, 2026 |
| Transfer pricing cases (Section 92E) | ITR-6 | November 30, 2026 |
| Belated return (missed deadline) | Any applicable form | December 31, 2026 |
| Revised return (correct errors) | Any applicable form | December 31, 2026 |
| Updated return (ITR-U) | ITR-U | March 31, 2030 (48 months) |
New from FY 2025-26: ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers (business income, non-audit) now have until August 31 instead of July 31. This gives an extra month for those with business income.
Tax Audit Deadlines
| Audit Type | Form | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Audit Report (Section 44AB) | Form 3CA/3CB + 3CD | September 30, 2026 |
| Transfer Pricing Report (Section 92E) | Form 3CEB | October 31, 2026 |
Who Needs Tax Audit?
- Business with turnover > Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 crore if 95%+ digital transactions)
- Professionals with gross receipts > Rs 50 lakh
- Presumptive taxation (44AD/44ADA) claiming lower profits than prescribed
Month-by-Month Calendar
TDS Payment TDS
Deposit TDS deducted in March 2025
New Financial Year Begins
FY 2025-26 starts. Plan your tax-saving investments early!
Advance Tax - 1st Installment Advance Tax
Pay 15% of your estimated annual tax liability
TDS Return - Q1 TDS
File Form 24Q, 26Q, 27Q for April-June 2025
Advance Tax - 2nd Installment Advance Tax
Pay cumulative 45% of your estimated annual tax liability
TDS Return - Q2 TDS
File Form 24Q, 26Q, 27Q for July-September 2025
Advance Tax - 3rd Installment Advance Tax
Pay cumulative 75% of your estimated annual tax liability
TDS Return - Q3 TDS
File Form 24Q, 26Q, 27Q for October-December 2025
Advance Tax - 4th Installment Advance Tax
Pay remaining 100% of your estimated annual tax liability
Tax-Saving Investment Deadline
Last day to invest in 80C, 80D, NPS for FY 2025-26. See our guide
Financial Year Ends
FY 2025-26 ends. All income and expenses for this year must be recorded.
TDS Return - Q4 TDS
File Form 24Q, 26Q, 27Q for January-March 2026
Form 16 from Employer ITR
Employer must issue Form 16 for FY 2025-26 by this date
ITR Filing - Salaried (ITR-1, ITR-2) ITR
Last date for individuals and HUFs not requiring tax audit
ITR Filing - Business Income (ITR-3, ITR-4) ITR
Last date for business/profession income (non-audit cases)
Tax Audit Report Audit
Submit Form 3CA/3CB with 3CD for audit cases
ITR Filing - Audit Cases ITR
Companies, LLPs, and businesses requiring tax audit
Transfer Pricing Report Audit
Form 3CEB for international/specified domestic transactions
ITR Filing - Transfer Pricing Cases ITR
For taxpayers requiring report under Section 92E
Belated & Revised Return ITR
Last chance to file if you missed original deadline, or to correct errors
Penalties for Missing Deadlines
| Deadline Missed | Penalty / Interest |
|---|---|
| ITR after July 31 / Aug 31 | Rs 5,000 late fee (Rs 1,000 if income < Rs 5L) |
| ITR after December 31 | Cannot file regular return (only ITR-U with extra tax) |
| Unpaid tax after due date | Interest @ 1% per month (Section 234A) |
| Advance tax shortfall | Interest @ 1% per month on shortfall (Section 234B, 234C) |
| Late TDS return | Rs 200 per day until filing (max = TDS amount) |
| Late TDS payment | Interest @ 1.5% per month |
| Late tax audit | Rs 1.5 lakh or 0.5% of turnover (whichever is lower) |
Important: If you file ITR late, you cannot carry forward business losses and capital losses (except house property loss). This can significantly increase your tax in future years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ITR filing last date for salaried employees?
July 31, 2026 for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27). This applies to individuals filing ITR-1 or ITR-2 who don't require tax audit.
What are the advance tax due dates?
Four installments: June 15 (15%), September 15 (45%), December 15 (75%), and March 15 (100%). These dates are the same every year.
When will I get Form 16?
Employers must issue Form 16 by June 15, 2026. If you don't receive it, ask your employer or use Form 26AS from the income tax portal.
Can I file ITR after December 31, 2026?
Yes, through Updated Return (ITR-U) under Section 139(8A). You can file within 48 months but will pay additional tax of 25% (within 12 months) to 70% (within 48 months).
What is the penalty for late ITR filing?
Rs 5,000 under Section 234F if filed after July 31 but before December 31. Reduced to Rs 1,000 if total income is below Rs 5 lakh. Plus interest on unpaid tax.
When is the tax audit report due?
September 30, 2026 for tax audit (Form 3CD). The ITR for audit cases is due by October 31, 2026.
Summary
The key dates to remember for FY 2025-26:
- March 15, 2026 - Final advance tax installment
- March 31, 2026 - Tax-saving investment deadline
- June 15, 2026 - Form 16 from employer
- July 31, 2026 - ITR for salaried (ITR-1, ITR-2)
- August 31, 2026 - ITR for business (ITR-3, ITR-4, non-audit)
- October 31, 2026 - ITR for audit cases
- December 31, 2026 - Last date for belated/revised return
Set calendar reminders. Missing these dates costs money.