The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has directed Income Tax offices across India to remain open on March 31, 2026 to “facilitate completion of pending departmental work”.
Notably, March 31 is a public holiday for Mahavir Jayanti, but the last date of March is also the close of the financial year 2025-26 (FY26). The order falls under Section 119 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It empowers the CBDT to issue administrative guidelines for effective tax administration.
Why is March 31 a working day for tax authorities?
The date is significant as it is the last date of the financial year and the deadline for many tax-related activities. Tax advances, tax savings investments and other similar activities are completed by March 31 each year. The work pressure of the related government offices is so high and sometimes employees are asked to work even if the date is a weekend (fourth Saturday or Sunday).
Specifically, this year India will transition from the new Income Tax Act with effect from April 1, putting more pressure on deadlines as some processes change from the new financial year (FY27).
Does this change anything for taxpayers?
No. The date is still a holiday for ordinary citizens of India. Overall, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a total of 18 public holidays this month for all banks, including private and public sector lenders such as State Bank of India (SBI).
However, you may need to ensure that all tax filings and investments are completed before this date. This includes Public Pension Fund (PPF), National Pension Scheme (NPS) and Life Insurance payments for the year.
List of holidays: Long weekend at the end of March 2026
Banks had a long holiday from March 26 to 31 this month in various states/regions as follows:
All the annual holiday calendars of the Reserve Bank of India are declared as per the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act which deals with the issue of checks and bills of exchange. Thus, transactions with these instruments are not available during the mentioned holidays.
Note: Holidays in different states may vary according to regional and local requirements. It is recommended that you check with your local bank branch to see if they have an approved vacation plan or a list to prepare in case of an emergency or long vacation.
Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. We encourage investors to check with certified professionals before making any investment decision.
