Tax Audit by 21 October, ITR by 21 November 2026: What Audited Businesses Must Finish Now
The CBDT extended the AY 2026-27 tax audit report due date from 30 September to 21 October 2026, and the ITR due date for audit cases from 31 October to 21 November 2026. Businesses with turnover above ₹1 crore (₹10 crore with minimal cash) need a tax audit. Interest on unpaid tax still runs from the original dates.
On 28 September 2026, two days before the original deadline, the CBDT gave businesses under tax audit three more weeks. That time goes quickly. Here is what the extension covers and what to finish.
The new dates for AY 2026-27 (FY 2025-26)
| Filing | Original date | Extended date |
|---|---|---|
| Tax audit report | 30 September 2026 | 21 October 2026 |
| Income-tax return for audit cases | 31 October 2026 | 21 November 2026 |
The extension covers taxpayers whose accounts must be audited, such as companies, firms, LLPs and proprietors under tax audit, and working partners of such firms. Non-audit due dates did not change.
FY 2025-26 is the last year under the Income-tax Act, 1961, so the old section numbers and forms apply to this audit.
Who needs a tax audit
| Taxpayer | Audit needed if |
|---|---|
| Business | Turnover above ₹1 crore; or above ₹10 crore if cash receipts and cash payments are each within 5% |
| Profession | Gross receipts above ₹50 lakh, unless the professional uses the presumptive scheme (available up to ₹75 lakh with mostly non-cash receipts) |
| Presumptive taxpayer | Declares profit below the presumptive rate and income above the exemption limit |
Penalties
- ✓Not getting the accounts audited or not furnishing the report: penalty of 0.5% of turnover, up to ₹1.5 lakh.
- ✓Filing the return late: late fee, interest on unpaid tax, and loss of the right to carry forward some losses.
A two-week plan
| Days | Task |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Close the books: bank reconciliations, debtors and creditors confirmations, stock |
| 4 to 6 | GST reconciliation: books with GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-2B |
| 7 to 8 | TDS: deducted vs deposited vs returns; disallowances for TDS not deducted |
| 9 | MSME payables overdue at 31 March (Section 43B(h)) |
| 10 | Cash payments above ₹10,000 and cash receipts of ₹2 lakh or more |
| 11 to 12 | Auditor review and Form 3CD data |
| 13 to 14 | Upload the report; approve it from the taxpayer's login |
Frequently asked questions
Does the extension change advance tax or interest?
No. Interest on tax not paid by the original dates still applies.
Can I file the return before the audit report?
No. The audit report must be furnished first, and the return relies on it.
Is the extension for transfer pricing reports too?
Check the CBDT notification for the specific forms covered.
Sources
- ✓CBDT extends AY 2026-27 ITR deadline for tax audit cases, India Briefing
- ✓CBDT extends tax audit due date to 21 October 2026, CAclubindia
- ✓ITR filing for tax audit cases AY 2026-27, CompuTax
This is a summary, not tax advice. Confirm with your chartered accountant.
Written by
Founder, Airwix Technologies (Sleet)
Vatsal Sutariya is the founder of Airwix Technologies in Ahmedabad, the company that builds Sleet: SleetHR for HR and payroll, and Sleet Accounting for GST billing and books. He writes about GST, invoicing, business tax and choosing software for Indian businesses, and checks each rule against the official notification before it is published.
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