The income tax return (ITR) due date for audit cases for AY 2026-27 is now 21 November 2026. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) moved it from 31 October 2026 through Circular No. 07/2026 dated 28 September 2026, and the tax audit report date was moved to 21 October 2026 at the same time. If your business or company falls in this group, you have less than a month left to file.
What exactly did CBDT Circular 07/2026 change?
The circular was issued under Section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, read with Section 536 of the Income-tax Act, 2025. It does two things for Assessment Year 2026-27 (financial year 2025-26):
| Item | Original due date | Extended due date |
|---|---|---|
| Return of income for persons in serial no. 2 of Explanation 2 to Section 139(1) | 31 October 2026 | 21 November 2026 |
| Tax audit report under Section 44AB (Form 3CA/3CB with 3CD) for these persons | 30 September 2026 | 21 October 2026 |
| Belated return under Section 139(4) | 31 December 2026 | No change |
The audit report date is linked to the return date. The income tax department's guidance says audit forms are to be furnished one month before the due date for the return, which is why both dates moved together.
Who gets the 21 November 2026 due date?
The extension applies only to persons whose original due date was 31 October 2026 under Explanation 2 to Section 139(1). In practice this group includes:
- Companies (they usually file ITR-6).
- Firms, LLPs and other persons whose accounts must be audited under the Income-tax Act or any other law (firms and LLPs file ITR-5).
- Proprietors and professionals whose accounts must be audited under Section 44AB (they usually file ITR-3).
- Working partners of a firm whose accounts must be audited.
It does not cover salaried people or businesses that do not need a tax audit. Their due dates for AY 2026-27 fell earlier, in July or August 2026. If they missed them, the only route now is a belated return.
Transfer pricing cases (persons who must furnish Form 3CEB under Section 92E) have their own due date. The circular does not mention them, so check that date separately with your adviser.
Why does this year still follow the Income-tax Act, 1961?
The Income-tax Act, 2025 applies from tax year 2026-27, which began on 1 April 2026. The return due now is for financial year 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), so the Income-tax Act, 1961 governs it. That is why the circular quotes Section 139(1) and Section 44AB of the old Act, and refers to Section 536 of the new Act, which keeps the old law working for earlier years.
What should audit cases do before 21 November 2026?
Treat the extension as working time, not a holiday. A practical order of work:
- Confirm the tax audit report is uploaded and accepted. The extended date for the report was 21 October 2026. If it is still pending with the taxpayer for acceptance on the e-filing portal, complete that step now.
- Reconcile Form 26AS and AIS. Match TDS, TCS, advance tax and high-value transactions with your books before you prepare the return.
- Pay any balance tax. The circular says nothing about interest. Paying self-assessment tax early keeps any interest exposure as low as possible.
- Check carried-forward losses. The department's FAQs note that a loss return must be filed by the due date to carry the loss forward. Missing 21 November can cost you that benefit.
- File and verify. A return is complete only after it is verified, for example through Aadhaar OTP, EVC or digital signature.
| Business type | Usual ITR form | What to keep ready |
|---|---|---|
| Company | ITR-6 | Audited financial statements, tax audit report, board-approved accounts |
| Firm or LLP | ITR-5 | Audited accounts, partner details, tax audit report |
| Proprietor or professional under audit | ITR-3 | Audited accounts, tax audit report, capital account, personal income details |
What happens if the return is filed after 21 November 2026?
A return filed after the due date is a belated return under Section 139(4). For AY 2026-27 it can be filed up to 31 December 2026, or earlier if the assessment is completed before that.
A late filing fee under Section 234F applies:
| Total income | Late fee under Section 234F |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹5,00,000 (income limit) | Late fee of ₹1,000 |
| Above ₹5,00,000 (income limit) | Late fee of ₹5,000 |
Beyond the fee, a late return can mean losing the right to carry forward business losses, and interest on any unpaid tax keeps running until you pay. If the tax audit report itself was not furnished on time, a penalty under Section 271B can also be considered by the department. Filing on time avoids all of these questions.
Can the date be extended again?
Only CBDT can extend it, through a fresh circular or notification. Do not plan around a further extension. Keep an eye on the "News" section of the income tax e-filing portal, and work towards 21 November 2026.
How Indian Salahkar can help
Indian Salahkar works closely with Chartered Accountants and other professionals to help companies, LLPs, firms and proprietors in Agra and across India with income tax returns and compliances and tax audit support. Share your books and audit status with us, and we will help you plan the remaining steps before 21 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ITR due date for audit cases for AY 2026-27?
21 November 2026. CBDT Circular No. 07/2026 dated 28 September 2026 extended it from 31 October 2026 for the persons covered by the 31 October due date, such as companies and businesses whose accounts must be audited.
What is the extended due date for the tax audit report?
The tax audit report under Section 44AB for these cases was extended to 21 October 2026. If it was not uploaded by then, file it as soon as possible and speak to your adviser about the consequences.
Does the extension apply to salaried people or non-audit businesses?
No. The circular covers only the persons whose original due date was 31 October 2026. Non-audit cases had earlier due dates, and their returns can now only be filed as belated returns by 31 December 2026.
What is the late fee if an audit case files after 21 November 2026?
A return filed after the due date attracts a fee under Section 234F: ₹1,000 if total income does not exceed ₹5,00,000, and ₹5,000 in other cases. A belated return for AY 2026-27 can be filed up to 31 December 2026.
Does the circular waive interest on unpaid tax?
The circular only extends due dates and says nothing about interest. Pay any balance self-assessment tax as early as possible and check the interest position with your adviser before filing.
Sources: incometax.gov.in · incometax.gov.in · incometax.gov.in · incometax.gov.in
General information, not professional advice. Rules change — check the current position before acting.
