Income Tax Late Filing Penalty Guide

Late Fee Under Section 234F for AY 2026-27

Learn about late filing fees under section 234F, penalty amounts, due dates and consequences of late Income Tax Return filing.

What is Section 234F?

Section 234F provides for late filing fees if Income Tax Return is not filed within the due date.

The fee depends on total income and timing of filing.

Even if no tax is payable, late filing fee may still apply in many cases.

Late Filing Fee Under Section 234F

Total Income Maximum Late Fee
Up to ₹5 lakh ₹1,000
Above ₹5 lakh ₹5,000
Actual late fee depends on filing date and applicable provisions.

Important Due Date

For salaried individuals, the ITR filing due date for AY 2026-27 is generally 31 July 2026 unless extended by the Income Tax Department.

Consequences of Late ITR Filing

Late Filing Fee

Fee under section 234F may become payable.

Interest on Tax

Interest may apply on unpaid taxes.

Refund Delay

Tax refunds may get delayed significantly.

Notice Risk

Non-filing may increase chances of notices.

How to Avoid Late Filing Fee?

Collect Form 16, AIS and Form 26AS early.
Review salary and bank details properly.
File ITR before due date.
Complete e-verification immediately.

Who Should File ITR on Time?

  • Salaried employees with taxable income
  • Taxpayers claiming refunds
  • People with TDS deductions
  • People applying for loans or visas
  • Individuals with high-value transactions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is late fee mandatory?

If applicable under section 234F, late fee generally becomes mandatory.

Can refund still be claimed after due date?

In many cases refund can still be claimed, but delays may occur.

Is penalty different from interest?

Yes, late fee and interest are separate provisions.

Can notices come for non-filing?

Yes, AIS and transaction data may trigger notices.

File Your ITR Before Due Date

Avoid late fees, refund delays and notices with expert-assisted filing.

File Salary ITR @ ₹118