ITR filings crossed 78 million in FY27, setting a new record | Today’s news
New Delhi: As on August 31, more than 78 lakh Income Tax Returns (ITR) have been filed for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27, the Income Tax Department said on Tuesday.
“A record 7.8 million + (78 million) ITRs have been filed for the year 2026-27 as on August 31, 2026,” the ministry said in a post on social media platform X, thanking taxpayers and tax practitioners for timely compliance.
The August 31 milestone is significant because it was the statutory due date for taxpayers with business or professional income whose accounts do not need to be audited for 2027. The revised filing schedule set a deadline of July 31 for other taxpayers who do not fall into the specified categories.
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The latest figure comes on the back 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 in AY 21, 57.7 million in AY 22, 58.3 million in AY 23, 67.7 million in AY 24 and 72.8 million in AY 25.
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 rose by another 7.5% to 72.8 million in AY25, according to CBDT.
The increase in filings was also accompanied by an increase in the number of ITR registrants entering the reverse filing system for the first time. According to the CBDT, for the year 25, 5.857 million first-time filers filed their returns till July 31, 2024.
The CBDT said the increase in filings reflects, among other things, greater compliance efforts and outreach. The ministry’s data showed that 52.7 million of the 72.8 million returns filed for 2025 were in the new tax regime, representing about 72% of filings, while 20.1 million were in the old regime.
The expansion of filing also coincided with increased use of the electronic income tax filing system. For the year 25, more than 43.82% returns were filed using the online ITR tool available on the e-filing portal, the rest were filed using the offline tools.
Late submission
The August 31st deadline does not mean that taxpayers who missed it can no longer file returns. As per the current guidelines of the Income Tax Department, a belated return for 27 AY can be filed up to 31st December 2026 or before completion of assessment, whichever is earlier.
A late filing fee is payable under section 234F of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The fee is ₹1,000 if the total income does not exceed ₹5 million and ₹5,000 in other cases as per the Ministry.
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AY27 covers income earned during fiscal year 26. Despite the new Income Tax Act coming into effect from April 1, 2026, returns for income earned during fiscal year 26 continue to be governed by the Income Tax Act, 1961, the ministry clarified.
The department has made available all the seven ITR forms – ITR-1 to ITR-7 – for AY27 on the e-filing portal, though the mode of filing varies by form: ITR-1 to ITR-5 and ITR-7 are available through online and offline tools, while ITR-6 is available through Excel.
The latest milestone also comes as the tax department expanded its digital taxpayer services. In July, it allowed taxpayers to view information on foreign assets received through CRS/FATCA in the Annual Information Statement (AIS) on the e-repository portal.
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