Belated Return under Section 139(4) — Late Filing After Due Date
Belated return attracts late-filing fee under Section 234F (₹5,000, or ₹1,000 if total income < ₹5L). Losses cannot be carried forward except house-property loss. Interest under 234A continues to accrue until filing.
- File by 31 December of AY (extended to 15 January AY 2025-26)
- Late fee ₹5,000 (₹1,000 if income < ₹5L)
- Cannot carry forward business/capital loss (only house property)
- 234A interest 1% p.m. till filing
- Refund still admissible via belated return
Definition
Belated Return
What is Belated Return?
Belated return attracts late-filing fee under Section 234F (₹5,000, or ₹1,000 if total income < ₹5L). Losses cannot be carried forward except house-property loss. Interest under 234A continues to accrue until filing.
Key rules to remember
- File by 31 December of AY (extended to 15 January AY 2025-26)
- Late fee ₹5,000 (₹1,000 if income < ₹5L)
- Cannot carry forward business/capital loss (only house property)
- 234A interest 1% p.m. till filing
- Refund still admissible via belated return
Worked example
Missed 31 July 2025 deadline: files belated ITR on 12 December 2025 with ₹5,000 late fee (income ₹8L). Refund of ₹18k credited normally.
Which ITR form applies
- ITR-1 (Sahaj) — Up to ₹50 lakh total income
- ITR-2 — No upper limit
- ITR-3 — No upper limit
- ITR-4 (Sugam) — 44AD ₹3 Cr (digital) / 44ADA ₹75L / 44AE per vehicle
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Frequently asked questions
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Related tools, guides & services
Related reading
- ITR Filing Last Date FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) — Complete Guide
- Which ITR Form Should You File in 2025? Complete Guide (ITR-1 to ITR-4)
- Which ITR Form Should You File in 2026? (ITR-1 to ITR-7 Explained)
- GST Late Fee & Penalty Guide 2025 — Every Return, Every Section
- GST Return Filing in India — The Complete Guide (2025)
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