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Last Date of Filing Income Tax Return (ITR)
Taxpayers in India must be aware of the important dates pertaining to taxation. Therefore, this comprehensive guide lays out everything you need to know about the due dates to file taxes.
So, let us answer some common questions on due dates that Indian taxpayers have in mind:
What is the last date for filing an income tax return?
The last date of filing an income tax return is 31st July, after the end of the financial year for which it has to be filed. Taxpayers whose accounts are to be audited must file their income tax returns by 30th September of the relevant financial year. However, this date is subject to extension by the Income Tax Department of India.
For instance, the last date to file ITR for the financial year 2019-20 was 31st July, 2020. However, the Central Board of Direct Taxes extended this date to 31st December, 2020, for individuals and non-audit cases, and 31st January, 2020, for audit cases. Make sure you stick to the last date of ITR filing in 2020.
What is the due date to pay advance tax installments?
Now that you know what the last date to file ITR is, look at the tables below to know the due date of advance tax installments of a given financial year:
- Advance tax payment for self-employed individuals and business owners
Due Date of Paying Tax Installment | Amount of Tax Payable |
Either on or before 15th September | A minimum of 30% of the advance tax liability |
Either on or before 15th December | A minimum of 60% of the advance tax liability |
Either on or before 15th March | 100% of the tax liability |
- Advance tax payment in case of companies
Due Date of Paying Tax Installment | Amount of Tax Payable |
Either on or before 15th June | A minimum of 15% of the advance tax liability |
Either on or before 15th September | A minimum of 45% of the advance tax liability |
Either on or before 15th December | A minimum of 75% of the advance tax liability |
Either on or before 15th March | 100% of the tax liability |
What is the due date for TDS payment?
Simply knowing what the last date for income tax return in 2020 isn’t enough, as organisations are responsible for paying a month’s accrued TDS in the subsequent month. The due date for TDS payment is the 7th day of the next month.
Allow us to offer clarity on this by way of an example:
Let us take the financial year 2020-21. The due date for TDS payment this year will be as below:
The Month of Accrued TDS | TDS Due Date |
April 2020 | 7th May 2020 |
May 2020 | 7th June 2020 |
June 2020 | 7th July 2020 |
July 2020 | 7th August 2020 |
August 2020 | 7th September 2020 |
September 2020 | 7th October 2020 |
October 2020 | 7th November 2020 |
November 2020 | 7th December 2020 |
December 2020 | 7th January 2021 |
January 2021 | 7th February 2021 |
February 2021 | 7th March 2021 |
March 2021 | 7th April 2020 |
Furthermore, the due date of paying TDS from rent for individuals or HUF under Section 194IB and TDS on sale of immovable property as per Section 194IA is 30 days from the end of the month of accrual. For instance, TDS deducted on 15th June, 2021 is to be paid on or before 30th July, 2021.
One must also know about the TCS payment due date to complete tax filing properly.
When should you file TDS returns?
Once a deductor deposits TDS, they must also file a TDS return. The due date for TDS return is as follows:
A Quarter of a Financial Year | Quarter Period | TDS Return Filing Date |
1st Quarter of the financial year | 1st April to 30th June | 31st July |
2nd Quarter of the financial year | 1st July to 30th September | 31st October |
3rd Quarter of the financial year | 1st October to 30th December | 31st January |
4th Quarter of the financial year | 1st January to 31st March | 31st May |
Missed out on filing ITR before the due date? Here’s what you can do
You can opt for filing a belated return. It is the same as furnishing one before the last date for filing a TDS return. However, the primary difference while filing the applicable ITR form is that you must select ‘Return Filed under Section 139(4)’.
Furthermore, filing after the due date of ITR calls for the payment of a penalty under Section 234F. The maximum late filing fee levied on a taxpayer is ₹10,000. However, the IT Department levies a penalty of ₹1000 for those whose income does not exceed ₹5,00,000, thereby extending financial relief to these taxpayers.
The table below summarises the payment of penalty on filing belated return:
Date of Filing Return | Penalty for Taxpayers with Total Income More Than ₹5,00,000 | Penalty for Taxpayers with Total Income Less Than ₹5,00,000 |
Up to August 31 of a financial year | A late filing fee is not applicable | A late filing fee is not applicable |
Between September 1 to December 31 of a financial year | ₹5,000 | ₹1,000 |
Between January 1 to March 31 of the financial year | ₹10,000 | ₹1,000 |
However, we suggest that you file returns before the last date of filing your income tax return. Promptly filing ITRs not only makes you a responsible citizen of the country, but it also offers several benefits. Some of these advantages are as follows:
- Filing income tax returns on time helps individuals apply for a vehicle loan, house loan, etc.
- When you file ITR on time, you receive refunds at the earliest.
- ITR can be used as proof of address as well as income, which are mandatory when applying for a loan or visa.
- At the time of visa application, most consulates and embassies call for you to submit copies of income tax returns for the past couple of years.
- Filing ITR before the due date helps you avoid penalties and persecution. When the net tax payable amount exceeds ₹3,000, an income tax officer can initiate proceedings for one’s persecution for a term of up to 2 years. Furthermore, if an individual owes over ₹25,00,000 of tax, the term of persecution may extend to 7 years. Additionally, an income tax officer can impose a 50% penalty on the due tax on account of an under-reporting of income.
- Taxpayers cannot file ITR without paying taxes. Section 234A mandates the payment of interest at the rate of 1% per month immediately after the due date of paying taxes and till the date of payment. When you file an income tax return on time, you also avoid paying additional interest. Therefore, the longer you wait to pay taxes and file returns, the more you pay.
And with that, we have reached the end of today’s article. This guide was curated to simplify filing income tax returns for you. We hope that knowing all important tax-related dates will make this process less cumbersome and more convenient.
