New Delhi, July 31: Today, July 31, 2026, is the last date to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) for eligible taxpayers. The Income Tax Department has urged taxpayers to complete the filing process on time, using a cricket analogy to stress the importance of meeting the deadline.
In a post on social media, the department compared missing the ITR deadline to a “hit wicket” in cricket, describing it as a completely avoidable mistake. It said that today is the final opportunity to file ITR-1 and ITR-2 without attracting additional financial consequences.
Department Advises Timely Filing
The Income Tax Department said taxpayers who file their returns by the deadline can avoid late filing fees and interest. It encouraged taxpayers to make the most of the opportunity by completing the process within the prescribed time.
Is E-Verification Mandatory Today?
One of the most common questions among taxpayers is whether e-verification must also be completed by July 31.
According to the rules, taxpayers who upload their ITR on or before July 31 are not required to complete e-verification on the same day. They are allowed 30 additional days from the date of filing to complete the verification process.
This means taxpayers filing their returns today can complete e-verification during August, provided it is successfully done within the 30-day period. In such cases, the filing date will continue to be treated as July 31.
Delay in Verification Can Lead to Penalties
If e-verification is not completed within 30 days, the date of verification will be considered the actual filing date. As a result, the return may be treated as a belated return, which could attract late fees and interest.
The rules further state that if the return is not verified by December 31, 2026, it may be treated as invalid. Therefore, while taxpayers get additional time for verification, unnecessary delays should be avoided.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.