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If mistakes were not a part of life, then erasers wouldn’t exist
Have you also made mistakes or discovered any errors or omissions in your original ITR filing this year? If yes, then don’t worry- the government (Income Tax Department of India) will give you another chance to correct them by filing revised returns and also the belated returns even if not filed yet. This opportunity is available only up to December 31st, 2025, of the relevant assessment year. After that, you may have to file the return along with higher penalties.
In this blog, we will discover what a revised return is and how a belated return can be filed as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act 1961.
Filing your taxes in India is a legal requirement, which is why eligible taxpayers earning income above the basic exemption limit must file their taxes using suitable ITR forms under the tax regime on the government portal before the original due date, i.e., July 31st every year (unless extended by the government). This date is referred to as the original deadline for filing income tax returns.
In India, a taxpayer files their own income tax return; however, many individuals choose to take assistance from a Chartered Accountant (CA) or a tax consultant for accurate filing and compliance.
A revised return is the corrected version of an originally filed tax return submitted by the taxpayer to rectify any errors or omissions found after the initial ITR filing.
In simple terms, if a person has already filed their income tax return (either the original return or a belated return) and later finds any mistake, such as missing information or any wrong statement, they are allowed to file for a revised return but only within the allowed time frame.
Errors that can be rectified
The following are the common errors that can be rectified using revised returns:
A Belated Return is the delayed version of the income tax return filed by the taxpayer who missed the original due date for submitting their ITR form. The belated return category enables taxpayers to report their income and tax details even after the original deadline (i.e., in July), subject to late filing fees and interest rates as prescribed under the Income Tax Act.
In simple words: Missed the original ITR deadline? You can still file a belated return
The last date to file your Revised/Belated return is before December 31st of the relevant assessment year or before the tax department completes the assessment of that return, whichever is earlier.
For FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26):
Last date to file revised/belated return = December 31st, 2025, unless assessment is completed earlier.
Any person who has filed an incorrect return or not furnished a return within the original due date can file the revised/belated return.
Any person here refers to:
For both types of filing, you need to submit your return on the official government e-Filing portal. However, there are also several private software and online portals authorized by the Income Tax Department as e-Return Intermediaries. These platforms are designed to make the process easier and more user-friendly compared to the government portal.
If you want to ensure accuracy and make the most available benefits, you can also seek assistance from a professional tax consultant or Chartered Accountant (CA).
Below are the general steps, as per the provisions of the government portal, for filing both Revised and Belated Returns:
| For Revised Return |
For Belated Return |
Note: This revised return will completely replace the original return; that’s why, in this re-filing, make sure that this time all the information is accurate. |
Note: Filing a belated return may attract late filing fees under Section 234F and interest under Section 234A.
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If the deadline for filing a belated or revised return (December 31st of the AY) is also missed, you may still be able to file an Updated Return (ITR-U) under Section 139(8A). This can be filed up to 48 months from the end of the relevant assessment year, but it attracts an additional tax liability (25% to 70% of the tax due) and cannot be filed if it results in a refund or a decrease in tax liability.
If the law is giving you a final opportunity, then it becomes your responsibility to make use of it wisely. Filing an incorrect return can lead to lots of penalties, interest, and scrutiny assessments under the Income Tax Act. If you are unaware of errors/ mistakes or missed disclosures and don’t know how to rectify them, then you must contact a professional CA or a well-qualified tax accountant who can guide you accurately in this.
At Mercurius, we have a dedicated team of professionals, including tax accountants, Chartered Accountants (CAs), who assist individuals, corporates, and businesses in handling taxation matters efficiently while helping them optimize eligible deductions and compliance.
If you need clarity on any tax-related query, you can also book a one-time consultation with our experts. We are here to help you file your return confidently and correctly.
