In this guide
Made a mistake in your Income Tax Return for AY 2026-27? Section 139(5) allows an eligible taxpayer to correct omissions or wrong statements by filing a revised return.
From AY 2026-27, taxpayers also get a much longer correction window. A revised return can generally be filed up to 31 March 2027, or before completion of the assessment, whichever is earlier.
AY 2026-27 relates to FY 2025-26 and continues to be governed by the Income-tax Act, 1961, even though the Income Tax Act, 2025 applies to Tax Year 2026-27 onwards.
Which ITR Can Be Revised?
A timely original return can be revised when the taxpayer subsequently discovers an omission or incorrect statement.
A belated return can also be revised. The Income Tax Department expressly distinguishes revision of a belated return from a rectification request.
A revised return can be useful where you discover errors involving:
- Missing salary, interest or dividend income;
- Incorrect TDS/TCS credit;
- Wrong capital-gain calculation;
- Missing eligible deductions;
- Incorrect bank or address details;
- Wrong business-income figures;
- Incorrect loss reporting; or
- Selection of an inappropriate ITR form that needs correction through a valid fresh computation.
For professional return correction:
Revised Return Deadline for AY 2026-27
The timeline has changed substantially from earlier years.
| Revised ITR filed | AY 2026-27 treatment |
|---|---|
| Up to 31 December 2026 | No Section 234-I revision fee |
| 1 January 2027 to 31 March 2027 | Section 234-I fee applicable |
| After 31 March 2027 | Normal revised return no longer available |
| Assessment completed earlier | Revision window closes earlier |
The Income Tax Department confirms that from AY 2026-27 onwards the revised-return deadline has been extended to the end of the relevant assessment year.
New Fee for Revised ITR After 31 December
This is one of the biggest AY 2026-27 changes.
A revised return filed on or before 31 December 2026 does not attract the new Section 234-I fee merely because it is a revision.
If it is filed between 1 January and 31 March 2027, the fee is:
- ₹1,000 where total income does not exceed ₹5 lakh;
- ₹5,000 in other cases.
Section 234-I was introduced specifically for late-stage revised returns, and the Income Tax portal confirms its application from AY 2026-27.
This fee is different from Section 234F, which applies when the original return itself is filed late.
How Many Times Can an ITR Be Revised?
The law does not prescribe a simple numerical limit such as “only once” or “maximum twice.”
Therefore, if a genuine error remains after the first revision, another revised return can generally be filed while the Section 139(5) time limit remains open.
However, repeatedly changing major figures without proper records is not good tax compliance.
Every revision should be supported by:
- Form 16;
- Form 26AS;
- AIS/TIS;
- Bank statements;
- Broker statements;
- Capital-gain workings;
- Business books; and
- Deduction evidence.
The objective of Section 139(5) is to correct an omission or wrong statement—not to experiment with different income figures until a favourable refund appears.
Does a Revised Return Replace the Original Return?
For computation and processing, the valid revised return becomes the return on which the corrected tax position is considered.
But it would be incorrect to say that the Income Tax Department can no longer see or examine the earlier filing.
The earlier return and its acknowledgement remain part of the electronic filing history. A revised return corrects the tax return; it does not erase the fact that an earlier version was submitted.
This distinction becomes important where there is a major change—for example:
Original ITR: Income ₹8 lakh
Revised ITR: Income ₹50 lakh
Such a correction may be completely genuine, but the taxpayer should retain evidence explaining the difference if the Department later seeks information.
Does Revising an ITR Increase the Chance of a Notice?
There is no rule stating that filing a revised return automatically triggers an Income Tax notice.
At the same time, a revised return does not provide immunity from processing, verification or scrutiny.
The Department can examine the final return under the normal provisions, particularly where information differs from available tax records or where other statutory risk parameters are involved.
Therefore, the statement that “no inquiry can ever arise regarding an original return once it is revised” is too broad.
The safer principle is:
Correct a genuine mistake promptly and maintain evidence supporting the correction.
If you have received a tax notice:
Revised Return vs Rectification vs Updated Return
These three mechanisms should not be confused.
Revised Return
Used when you discover a mistake in your own return while the Section 139(5) window remains available.
Rectification
Primarily used to correct a mistake apparent from the record in an order/intimation, such as CPC processing. The Department specifically says rectification should not replace a revised return for taxpayer-originated mistakes that can still be revised.
Updated Return — ITR-U
Used after the ordinary revised/belated-return window closes, subject to Section 139(8A) conditions. An updated return cannot generally be used simply to reduce tax, increase a refund or increase a loss. For AY 2026-27, the old Act’s updated-return provisions continue to apply.
Practical Checklist Before Revising AY 2026-27 ITR
Before clicking submit:
- Download the previously filed ITR.
- Reconcile AIS, TIS and Form 26AS.
- Verify all income heads.
- Recalculate capital gains.
- Reconcile TDS and advance tax.
- Verify deductions and supporting evidence.
- Confirm carried-forward losses.
- Check the refund bank account.
- Calculate additional tax, interest or Section 234-I fee if applicable.
- E-verify the revised return after filing.
For complex return corrections or tax litigation:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date for revised ITR for AY 2026-27?
Generally 31 March 2027, or completion of assessment, whichever occurs earlier.
Is there any fee for revising before 31 December 2026?
There is no Section 234-I revision fee merely for filing the revised return by 31 December 2026.
What happens if I revise after 31 December?
For AY 2026-27, a revision from 1 January to 31 March 2027 attracts ₹1,000 or ₹5,000 under Section 234-I depending on total income.
Can a belated ITR be revised?
Yes. The Income Tax Department confirms that a belated return can be revised within the applicable revision window.
Can I revise my return more than once?
There is no simple statutory one-revision limit. Further genuine corrections can generally be made within the available Section 139(5) period.
Will filing a revised return automatically cause scrutiny?
No automatic scrutiny rule applies merely because a return was revised. But revision does not prevent the Department from examining the return under normal processing, verification or assessment provisions.
