ITR Filings: Over 17 Million Income Tax Returns Filed For FY26

For the financial year 2025-26 so far, over 17 million Income Tax returns have been filed for 2025-26 financial year so far, said the Income Tax Department. “Over 17 million taxpayers have already taken the smart step and filed their ITRs for A.Y. 2026-27,” the department said on X.
The last date to file ITRs 1 and 2 for income earned in 2025-26 fiscal year is July 31.
ITR Form 1, also called, Sahaj, is a simpler form that caters to a large number of small and medium taxpayers. It can be filed by a resident individual having annual income up to Rs 50 lakh and who has salary income, one house property, and agricultural income up to Rs 5,000 a year.
Recently, the Income Tax Department has released the Excel utility for ITR-7 for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27, allowing eligible trusts, institutions, political parties and certain other entities to begin preparing their income tax returns offline ahead of the filing deadlines.
According to a post on X by the Income Tax Department, taxpayers using ITR-7 can now download the Excel utility, enter and validate return details offline, generate a JSON file and upload it on the Income Tax e-Filing portal to complete the filing process.
Notably, ITR-7 is not meant for salaried individuals. It is applicable to persons, including companies, that are required to furnish returns under Sections 139(4A), 139(4B), 139(4C) and 139(4D) of the Income-tax Act.
Taxpayers across the country have started getting alerts for filing the income tax returns as July 31 is approaching closer.
It is department’s effort to encourage taxpayers to file their returns early and avoid the last-minute rush that often leads to errors, delays and technical glitches.
it is advisable to follow the required guidelines carefully and avoid coming into the lens of IT Department.