Missed August 31? How to File Belated ITR and Pay Late Fees

The August 31, 2026 deadline applies exclusively to taxpayers with business or professional earnings whose books are not audited. Those who file after this date can still submit a return, but it will be labeled belated and will attract a fee under Section 234F. The belated filing window remains open until December 31, 2026.

The fee structure is tiered: taxpayers with an aggregate income above Rs 5 lakh must pay a Rs 5,000 penalty, while those earning Rs 5 lakh or less are liable for a Rs 1,000 charge. The late fee is payable at the time of filing, and it is calculated irrespective of any refund that may be due later.

Even though the return is late, the taxpayer does not automatically lose the right to a tax refund. However, filing after the deadline can affect interest calculations on any refund and may lead to additional scrutiny by the department. Promptly filing the belated return and settling the applicable fee is advisable to minimize further complications.