ITR filings cross 78 million for AY27, setting new record

New Delhi: More than 78 million income-tax returns (ITRs) had been filed for assessment year (AY) 2026-27 as of 31 August, the income tax department said on Tuesday.

“A record 7.8 crore+ (78 million) ITRs have been filed for AY2026–27 as on August 31, 2026,” the department said in a post on social media platform X, thanking taxpayers and tax professionals for timely compliance.

The 31 August milestone is significant because it was the statutory due date for taxpayers with business or professional income whose accounts are not required to be audited for AY27. The revised filing schedule provided a 31 July deadline for other taxpayers not covered under specified categories.

The latest figure comes against a backdrop of sustained growth in ITR filings. Official data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) showed that 57.8 million returns were filed for AY21, 57.7 million in AY22, 58.3 million in AY23, 67.7 million in AY24 and 72.8 million in AY25.

The sharpest increase in the official historical series occurred between AY23 and AY24, when filings rose from 58.3 million to 67.7 million, a 16% increase. Filings then increased another 7.5% to 72.8 million in AY25, according to the CBDT.

The rise in filings has also been accompanied by an increase in first-time ITR filers entering the return-filing system. For AY25, 5.857 million first-time filers had filed their returns by 31 July 2024, according to the CBDT.

The CBDT said that the increase in filings reflected, among other things, greater compliance and outreach efforts. The department's data showed that 52.7 million of the 72.8 million returns filed for AY25 were under the new tax regime, accounting for about 72% of filings, while 20.1 million were under the old regime.

The expansion in filings has also coincided with increased use of the income-tax e-filing system. For AY25, more than 43.82% of returns were filed using the online ITR utility available on the e-filing portal, with the remainder filed using offline utilities.

Late filings

The 31 August deadline does not mean that taxpayers who missed it can no longer file a return. Under the income tax department's current guidance, a belated return for AY27 can be furnished on or before 31 December 2026, or before completion of assessment, whichever is earlier.

A late-filing fee under section 234F of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is applicable. The fee is ₹1,000 when total income does not exceed ₹5 lakh, and ₹5,000 in other cases, according to the department.

AY27 covers income earned during FY26. Despite the new Income Tax Act coming into force from 1 April 2026, returns for income earned during FY26 continue to be governed by the Income Tax Act, 1961, the department has clarified.

The department has made all seven ITR forms—ITR-1 to ITR-7—available for AY27 on the e-filing portal, although the mode of filing varies by form: ITR-1 to ITR-5 and ITR-7 are available through online and offline utilities, while ITR-6 is available through the Excel utility.

The latest milestone also comes as the tax department has expanded digital taxpayer services. In July, it enabled taxpayers to view foreign-asset information received through CRS/FATCA in the Annual Information Statement (AIS) on the e-filing portal.