In a significant relief for taxpayers and tax professionals across India, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has announced a formal extension of the due dates for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) and tax audit reports for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27.

According to an official press release issued by the Ministry of Finance on 28th September 2026, the extensions apply specifically to individuals, businesses, and entities whose accounts are subject to mandatory audit under the Income-tax Act, 1961.

• Income Tax Return (ITR) Filing: The original deadline of 31st October 2026 has been officially pushed forward to 21st November 2026.
• Tax Audit Reports: The ‘specified date’ for submitting audit reports, originally falling on 30th September 2026, has been extended to 21st October 2026.

This administrative extension offers much-needed breathing room to taxpayers and auditors. The extra weeks will ensure that complex financial filings and compliance reviews can be thoroughly completed, minimizing late fees and structural filing errors during the peak tax season. A formal notification detailing the exact legislative order is being issued separately by the department.