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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For AY 2026-27, the Income Tax Department has extended two deadlines for a specific statutory class: the tax audit report’s specified date is now 21 October 2026, and the ITR filing due date is now 21 November 2026. These dates do not apply automatically to every taxpayer; check whether you fall within the class named in the official notice before relying on the extension.
1. The extension applies to AY 2026-27
The change concerns Assessment Year 2026-27, relating to the previous year 2025-26. Use the assessment-year label when checking your filing obligation so you do not confuse this deadline update with a different tax year.
2. The audit report and ITR have separate revised dates
The dates apply to the same specified statutory class, but they cover two separate filing milestones:
| Filing milestone | Original date | Revised date |
|---|---|---|
| Specified date for furnishing the audit report | 30 September 2026 | 21 October 2026 |
| Income-tax return (ITR) | 31 October 2026 | 21 November 2026 |
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) announced the changes through the Press Information Bureau on 28 September 2026. The Income Tax Department’s 29 September update identifies the change as Circular No. 07/2026, dated 28 September 2026. Read the PIB announcement and check the Income Tax Department portal for current notices and filing instructions.
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3. The dates are not a blanket extension for all taxpayers
The announcement limits the revised dates to persons mentioned at Serial No. 2 in the table under Explanation 2 to section 139(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. It does not reproduce that table, so the announcement alone does not establish whether a particular individual, business or other entity is included. Do not assume that a deadline change for this class changes your own due date.
4. Confirm your eligibility before using the new dates
- Check the current statutory text for the category referenced in the announcement.
- Compare that category with your own circumstances and filing obligations.
- Review the latest Income Tax Department notice or circular for any subsequent update.
- If you are unsure whether an audit applies to you or whether you fall within the covered class, consult a tax professional.
5. Track the audit report and return as separate tasks
If the extension covers you, keep the audit-report milestone on 21 October and the ITR milestone on 21 November as distinct checklist items. The notice changes the specified dates; it does not say that either filing obligation is waived. Use the department’s e-filing portal and current instructions or utilities for the applicable submission.
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