New Delhi: The Income Tax Department on Monday extended the deadlines for corporate income tax returns and tax audit reports for assessment year 2026-27 by 21 days, following demands from tax practitioners for more time.

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Corporates will now have until November 21 to file their income tax returns, against the earlier deadline of October 31. The deadline for submitting tax audit reports has been moved from September 30 to October 21, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a statement.

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Tax practitioners had sought relief, citing a compressed audit window after the August 31 deadline for filing returns in non-audit cases.

Amit Agarwal, Senior Partner at Nangia & Co LLP, said the decision recognised the challenges faced by taxpayers and tax professionals during the current compliance cycle.

“The additional 21 days will provide much-needed breathing space to businesses to complete their tax audits, undertake necessary reconciliations and ensure that the information reported in the tax return is accurate and appropriately supported,” he said.

The filing deadline for salaried taxpayers was July 31, while those earning income from business or profession whose accounts did not require an audit had until August 31.

The department had earlier reported that a record 7.8 crore-plus income tax returns for assessment year 2026-27 were filed by August 31.

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