Revised ITR: How to File a Revised Return and Fix Errors After Submission
Did you make an error in your submitted income tax return? Do not panic. Section 139(5) allows you to file a revised return to correct mistakes without any penalty.
✓ Section 139(5) Rules
ITR Corrections
Introduction to Revised Returns
Filing your taxes can be stressful, and simple slip-ups happen to everyone — whether it is forgetting to declare savings account interest, omitting capital gains from mutual funds, or putting deductions in the wrong schedule. If you discover a mistake after submitting your ITR, the Income Tax Act provides a legal mechanism under **Section 139(5)** to file a **Revised Return** that completely replaces your original filing.
✓ No Fee for Revisions
As long as you file your revised return on or before the deadline (**December 31, 2026** for AY 2026-27), there is **no penalty or late fee** for revising your return. The department treats the revised return as your final, active filing.
Who is Eligible to File a Revised Return?
Any taxpayer who has filed their original return can file a revised return. This includes:
Returns filed on time under Section 139(1).
Belated returns filed after the due date under Section 139(4).
Under current rules, you can revise your return even if your original return has already been processed by the Central Processing Centre (CPC) and you have received your tax refund.
Critical Deadline for Revisions
For the financial year FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), the absolute deadline to file a revised return is **December 31, 2026**. After this date, the portal will close, and you will not be able to make any changes to your return, except through the more expensive Updated Return (ITR-U) route under Section 139(8A) which requires paying up to 25% or 50% additional tax penalty.
Step-by-Step: How to File a Revised Return Online
Filing a revised return is similar to filing your original return, with a few crucial changes in the initial configuration:
Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal (https://www.incometax.gov.in).
Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return.
Select Assessment Year as 2026-27 and Mode of Filing as Online.
Under the **Filing Type**, select **Section 139(5) - Revised Return**. (The portal will automatically check this if you have already filed an original return).
You must enter the **Receipt Number** (or Acknowledgement Number) and the **Date of Filing** of your original return. This is found on your ITR-V acknowledgment receipt.
The portal will load your previously filed data. Modify the schedules to correct the mistakes (e.g., add the missing interest income, correct the HRA exemption, or update the TDS section).
Review the tax calculations. If the correction increases your income, pay any additional self-assessment tax along with interest due.
Preview the return, submit, and **e-verify** the return using Aadhaar OTP within 30 days.
⚠ E-Verification is Mandatory for Revision
A revised return is not legally valid unless it is e-verified. If you do not e-verify the revised return, the department will ignore it and process your original, incorrect return instead.
Common Reasons to File a Revised ITR
Most taxpayers file revised returns to resolve one of these common filing discrepancies:
Interest Income Discrepancies: Omitting savings bank interest or fixed deposit interest that is visible in the AIS statement.
Forgot to Claim Deductions: Missing deductions like Section 80D (health insurance) or Section 80CCD(2) (employer NPS contribution).
Mismatch in Form 26AS/AIS: Mismatch between TDS claimed in ITR and actual TDS credits reflected in your Form 26AS (Form 168).
Wrong Regime Selection: Choosing the Old Tax Regime when the New Tax Regime is more beneficial (note that this is only allowed if the original return was filed on time).
How Many Times Can You Revise Your Return?
There is no limit to the number of times you can file a revised return. If you file a revised return and later find another mistake, you can file a second revised return. Each subsequent revised return replaces the previous one. However, repeatedly revising your return may increase the risk of your case being selected for scrutiny by the department.
Double-Check Your Tax Math Before Submitting Your Revision
Ensure that all numbers are completely aligned with the Income Tax Act rules for FY 2025-26. Use our CA-verified tax engine to calculate the correct values.
The last date to file a revised return for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is December 31, 2026.
No, there is no late fee or penalty for filing a revised return under Section 139(5) if it is filed within the deadline. However, if your revision results in additional tax liability, you must pay the interest due on the additional tax.
There is no statutory limit on the number of times you can file a revised return, provided each revision is done within the deadline (by December 31, 2026 for AY 2026-27).
Yes, you can file a revised return even after receiving your tax refund or after your return is processed under Section 143(1), as long as the deadline has not passed.