The Union Budget 2026 and the New Income Tax Act, 2025 have introduced major shifts in deadlines and rebate structures that will directly impact how people file their returns for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27.
1. The Big Deadline Shift: Mark Your Calendar
The most immediate change for 2026 is the extension of deadlines for specific taxpayers. This aims to reduce the “July rush” and provide more breathing room for small business owners.
- ITR-1 & ITR-2 (Salaried/Individual): July 31, 2026 (No change here—don’t wait!)
- ITR-3 & ITR-4 (Non-Audit Business/Profession): August 31, 2026 (A 1-month extension from previous years).
- Revised Returns: Now allowed until March 31, 2027 (previously December).
- Belated Returns: Must still be filed by December 31, 2026.
2. The “Effective” ₹12.75 Lakh Zero-Tax Window
Under the New Tax Regime (which is now the default), the Section 87A rebate has been significantly enhanced. This is a massive “hook” for your blog post.
- The Math: For a salaried individual, the income up to ₹12,00,000 is now tax-free thanks to a rebate of up to ₹60,000.
- The Bonus: When you add the Standard Deduction of ₹75,000, a salaried employee with a gross income of ₹12,75,000 pays ₹0 tax.
- Marginal Relief: If a user earns slightly above ₹12 Lakh (e.g., ₹12,15,000), “Marginal Relief” ensures they don’t pay more in tax than the extra income they earned.
3. Transitioning to the New Income Tax Act, 2025
The Income Tax Act, 1961 is officially being retired. While the rates haven’t changed this year, the compliance has.
- Simplified Language: The new Act replaces “Assessment Year” and “Previous Year” with a single “Tax Year.”
- Renumbered Forms: Familiar forms are getting new names. For instance, Form 16 is transitioning toward Form 130, and Form 26AS is becoming Form 168.
- Pre-filled Data: The 2026 portal will now pull even more data automatically—including overseas remittances and high-value digital asset transactions.
4. Comparison Table: AY 2026-27 Snapshot
| Feature | New Tax Regime (Default) | Old Tax Regime |
| Standard Deduction | ₹75,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Zero-Tax Limit | Up to ₹12 Lakh (via 87A) | Up to ₹5 Lakh (via 87A) |
| 80C / 80D / HRA | Not Allowed | Allowed |
| Highest Tax Rate | 30% (Above ₹24 Lakh) | 30% (Above ₹10 Lakh) |