Over 4 crore taxpayers have filed returns for the 2026-27 assessment year. The Income Tax Department is urging remaining filers to submit forms early to avoid portal congestion and last-minute errors.
Detailed Coverage
The Income Tax Department has confirmed that more than 4 crore income tax returns have been submitted for Assessment Year 2026-27. With the July 31, 2026, deadline approaching for individuals filing ITR-1 and ITR-2 forms, authorities are encouraging taxpayers to complete their filings early to avoid the expected rush.
Why Early Filing Matters for Accuracy
While the deadline is set for the end of July, tax experts suggest that filing early provides a crucial buffer for data verification. Matching income reported in the Annual Information Statement (AIS), Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS), and Form 26AS is essential for a seamless filing process. Discrepancies between these official documents and the tax return often lead to follow-up inquiries or processing delays from the tax department. Reconciling bank statements and investment records against Form 16 allows taxpayers to catch potential errors before final submission.
Critical Steps for Taxpayers
Selecting the correct ITR form remains the most common hurdle for many taxpayers. Filing under an incorrect category can lead to the return being treated as defective, necessitating a revised filing. Additionally, the process is not complete upon uploading the data; e-verification is a mandatory final step. Returns that are not e-verified within the stipulated time frame are legally considered as not filed, which can result in penalties or the loss of eligibility for certain tax benefits.
Avoiding Last-Minute Portal Congestion
The e-filing portal traditionally experiences significant traffic spikes in the final 48 hours before the deadline. High user volume can occasionally lead to technical slowdowns or session timeouts, which add unnecessary stress to the filing process. By submitting returns early, taxpayers also gain extra time to address any system-generated alerts regarding unmatched tax credits or missing information. Ensuring that bank account details are pre-validated on the portal is another vital step to ensure that any eligible tax refunds are credited to the correct account without interruption.