Deadlines, extensions and regulatory updates

Quarterly TDS and TCS statements for July–September due by 31 October 2026

Deductors and collectors must file their TDS and TCS statements for the July to September 2026 quarter by 31 October 2026. This date has not been extended.

Late filing attracts a fee of Rs 200 per day until the statement is filed, capped at the amount of tax deducted, and penalties can apply beyond one year. Late statements also delay Form 16A and the credit your deductees see in Form 26AS.

Before filing, reconcile challans with deductions, check PANs of all deductees and confirm that lower-deduction certificates are correctly quoted.

LLP Form 8 due 30 October; company AOC-4 and MGT-7 run from the AGM date

Every LLP must file Form 8 (statement of account and solvency) for FY 2025-26 by 30 October 2026, unless the Ministry of Corporate Affairs announces an extension. Additional fees accrue for every day of delay.

For companies, the clock starts at the annual general meeting, which for most companies had to be held by 30 September:

• AOC-4 (financial statements) within 30 days of the AGM.
• MGT-7 / MGT-7A (annual return) within 60 days of the AGM.
• ADT-1 (auditor appointment) within 15 days of the meeting at which the auditor was appointed.

If your AGM date has passed and these are not filed, contact us now; additional fees are lower the sooner the forms go in.

Half-yearly MSME-1 return for April–September due 31 October 2026

Specified companies that have outstanding payments to micro or small enterprises for more than 45 days from acceptance of goods or services must file Form MSME-1 for the half year April to September 2026 by 31 October 2026.

The return lists each such supplier, the amount due and the reason for delay. Late payment to MSE suppliers can also affect the deductibility of the expense under income tax law, so it is worth reviewing your payables ageing now.

CBDT extends tax audit report to 21 October and audit-case ITRs to 21 November 2026

The Central Board of Direct Taxes has issued Circular No. 07/2026 extending two due dates for assessment year 2026-27:

• Tax audit report (Form 3CA or 3CB with Form 3CD): from 30 September to 21 October 2026.
• Income tax return for assessees whose accounts must be audited: from 31 October to 21 November 2026.

The extension applies to companies and other audited assessees who are not required to file a transfer-pricing report. Partners of audited firms also get the later return date.

Not extended: transfer-pricing cases (Form 3CEB stays at 31 October and the return at 30 November), quarterly TDS and TCS statements, GST returns and Companies Act filings. Interest for late payment of tax is not waived by the circular, so pay any balance tax early.

ITR due dates are now staggered: 31 July for salaried, 31 August for non-audit businesses

Income tax return due dates for AY 2026-27 are no longer the same for all non-audit taxpayers:

• 31 July 2026: individuals without business or professional income, such as salaried taxpayers filing ITR-1.
• 31 August 2026: business and professional taxpayers whose accounts do not require audit (ITR-3 and ITR-4).
• Audit cases: the standard date of 31 October was later extended to 21 November 2026 for covered assessees.

Returns for AY 2026-27 are filed under the Income-tax Act, 1961. The Income-tax Act, 2025 took effect on 1 April 2026 and applies from tax year 2026-27 onwards.