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AY 2026-27 · SECTION 139(5)

Revised Income Tax Return: Fix a Filed ITR the Right Way

Already filed and verified your return, then found a missed deduction or a wrong figure? A revised return under Section 139(5) replaces it cleanly. And for AY 2026-27 there's good news — Budget 2026 pushed the deadline all the way to 31 March 2027.

What changed this year: The revised-return deadline moved from 31 December to 31 March 2027. But revise after 31 December 2026 and a ₹5,000 late fee applies — so sooner is cheaper.

What a revised return actually does

A revised return under Section 139(5) lets you replace a return you've already filed with a corrected version. Once you file and verify the revised return, it fully substitutes the original — the department processes the corrected one, and the first return is set aside.

You can revise an original return (139(1)) and also a belated return (139(4)) — yes, belated returns are revisable. You can revise more than once within the time limit if you spot further errors.

It's the right tool when your return is already verified. If you haven't verified yet, you don't revise — you discard the unverified return and file fresh. And once the revise/belated window closes, the only route left is an updated return (ITR-U).

In one line: Revise = correct a return you've already verified, by filing a replacement that the department treats as the real one.

The deadline — and why timing decides the fee

  • Up to 31 December 2026 FREE
    Revise as many times as you need, no fee. This is the clean window — use it.
  • 1 January 2027 → 31 March 2027 ₹5,000 FEE
    Budget 2026 extended the window to 31 March 2027, but a revised return filed after 31 December attracts a ₹5,000 late fee.
  • After 31 March 2027 CLOSED
    The revise window shuts. Your only option to disclose missed income is an updated return (ITR-U), with extra tax on top.

Either way, the limit is also “before your assessment is completed, whichever is earlier.” Note: receiving a Section 143(1) intimation just means your return was processed — it does not block a revision.

When should you file a revised return?

If any of these apply after you've already filed, revision is the fix:

Missed a deductionForgot 80C, 80D, HRA or a home-loan interest claim — revise to claim it.
Left out some incomeFD or savings interest, a second employer's salary, capital gains, freelance receipts.
Wrong personal / bank detailsIncorrect bank account, IFSC or contact details holding up your refund.
Used the wrong ITR formFiled ITR-1 when your income needed ITR-2/ITR-3, triggering a defective-return notice.
AIS / 26AS mismatchYour figures don't tally with the department's Annual Information Statement.
Arithmetic or reporting errorA typo or miscalculation in income, TDS or tax payable.

₹The ₹5,000 timing trap

The extra three months Budget 2026 gave you are not free. Revise on or before 31 December 2026 and there's no charge. Wait until January–March 2027 and the same revision now costs ₹5,000. The correction is identical — only the date changed. So if you already know something's wrong, fix it before the year-end cut-off.

The CA angle most people miss: if you under-reported income, filing a revised return voluntarily — before the department issues a notice — is usually what keeps you out of penalty territory under Section 270A. Once a notice lands, that protection is largely gone. Revising early isn't just tidy; it's a shield.

How to file a revised return on the portal

  1. Log in at incometax.gov.in with your PAN and password.
  2. Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return.
  3. Select AY 2026-27, then choose filing type “Revised Return” under Section 139(5).
  4. Enter the acknowledgement number and date of your original return — keep them handy before you start.
  5. Make your corrections and let the portal re-compute the tax, interest and any refund.
  6. Submit and e-verify within 30 days. A revised return must be verified just like the original — if it stays unverified, it isn't valid.

Revised return — quick answers

Can I revise a belated return?
Yes. A return filed late under Section 139(4) can still be revised under Section 139(5), within the same time limit.
How many times can I revise?
There's no limit. You can revise again and again until the deadline or until your assessment is completed, whichever comes first.
What's the last date for AY 2026-27?
31 March 2027, following the Budget 2026 change. But revisions filed after 31 December 2026 carry a ₹5,000 late fee — revise before year-end to avoid it.
Does the revised return replace the original?
Yes, completely. Once filed and verified, the revised return is treated as your return and the original is set aside.
My return is still unverified — should I revise it?
No. Use the Discard facility to delete the unverified return and file fresh. Revision is only for returns you've already verified.
I got a 143(1) intimation. Can I still revise?
Yes. A 143(1) intimation means your return was processed, not that assessment is complete. You can revise until assessment is completed or the deadline passes.
Can I revise an updated return (ITR-U)?
No. An ITR-U cannot be revised further.

Revise it once, revise it right.

A wrong revision can trigger fresh notices and mismatches. A QwikFilings Chartered Accountant reconciles your AIS/26AS, fixes the error, and files the revised return so it actually stands up — before the ₹5,000 window kicks in.

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Disclaimer: This page is general information on revised returns under Section 139(5) for AY 2026-27 and does not constitute tax or legal advice. The 31 March 2027 deadline and the post-31 December fee follow Budget 2026 changes; rules and thresholds can change. Confirm your position with a qualified Chartered Accountant before acting.