Filing Revised Returns Under Section 139 for Missed Deductions and How to Correct Errors
- Dipali Waghmode
- Jun 11
- 9 min read
Errors in income tax returns are more common than most taxpayers realize. Whether it's forgetting to claim a deduction, misreporting income, or entering incorrect bank details, these mistakes can impact refunds and attract scrutiny. Thankfully, Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act allows a second chance—enabling individuals to file a revised return within the same assessment year. This provision empowers taxpayers to correct unintentional errors without penalty. For FY 2024–25, the deadline to file such revisions is December 31, 2025. Digital platforms like TaxBuddy streamline the process, helping taxpayers make accurate corrections while ensuring compliance with ease.
Table of Contents
What Is a Revised Return Under Section 139(5)?
A Revised Return under Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act is a legal facility that allows taxpayers to correct mistakes in their previously filed income tax return (ITR). This provision ensures that genuine errors—whether accidental omissions or wrong declarations—can be amended within a permissible timeline, without facing penalties.
You can file a revised return if you:
Missed reporting income from salary, interest, rent, or capital gains
Forgot to claim deductions under Sections 80C, 80D, or 80G
Declared incorrect TDS or bank account details
Selected the wrong ITR form for your income sources
The revised return completely replaces the original ITR. It must reference the acknowledgment number and filing date of the original return to establish continuity. The most recent revised return filed within the timeline is treated as your final and valid return.
How to File a Revised Return: Step-by-Step
Filing a revised return is simple and can be done either online through the income tax portal or using the offline utility. Here's a step-by-step process:
1. Log in to the e-Filing Portal: Visit www.incometax.gov.in and log in using your PAN or Aadhaar credentials.
2. Select the Assessment Year: Choose the correct assessment year (e.g., AY 2025–26 for FY 2024–25).
3. Choose the Revised Return Option: Click on "File Income Tax Return" and select the relevant ITR form. Choose “Revised u/s 139(5)” from the filing options.
4. Enter Original Filing Details: Input the acknowledgment number and date of your original return. This links the revised return to the original one.
5. Correct the Mistakes: Make the necessary changes—be it income, deductions, or personal details.
6. Submit and e-Verify: Use Aadhaar OTP, digital signature, or net banking to complete verification.
7. Download the Acknowledgment: Save the revised ITR-V for your records as proof of submission.
Key Points to Remember When Revising ITR
Deadline: A revised return can be filed only until December 31 of the relevant assessment year. For FY 2024–25, this means up to December 31, 2025.
Multiple Revisions Allowed: You can file a revised return multiple times, as long as it’s within the deadline.
Final Return Stands Valid: The latest version of your revised return overrides all earlier ones and becomes the final return used for processing.
No Penalty for Revision: There’s no fee or penalty for filing a revised return under Section 139(5). However, penalties for late filing of the original return (under Section 234F) may still apply.
Common Errors You Can Fix with a Revised Return
A revised return is highly flexible and can be used to rectify a wide range of errors, such as:
Missed deductions: Forgot to claim investments under 80C (LIC, ELSS), health premiums under 80D, or donations under80G.
Incorrect income details: Missed interest income, capital gains, or rental income.
Wrong TDS entries: TDS credits not reflected or entered incorrectly.
Bank account mistakes: Wrong IFSC, inactive account, or incorrect account number entered for refund.
Incorrect ITR form: Filed ITR-1 when you should have filed ITR-2 or ITR-3 due to income from capital gains or business.
Correcting these errors early through a revised return ensures accurate tax computation, timely refunds, and lowers your chance of receiving scrutiny notices from the tax department.
Is Filing a Revised Return Better Than Filing a Rectification Request?
It depends on the stage and nature of the error:
If the return is not yet processed and the issue is within your original data, file a revised return.
If the return has been processed and the issue is due to processing (e.g., tax credit mismatch), file a rectification request under Section 154.
A revised return offers broader correction scope, while rectification is limited to factual errors apparent from records.
Both revised returns and rectification requests are tools for correcting errors—but they differ significantly in their scope and applicability.
Basis | Revised Return (Section 139(5)) | Rectification (Section 154) |
When to Use | If you made a mistake in your original return | If CPC made a mistake while processing |
Scope | Full changes—income, deductions, TDS, bank details, ITR form | Limited to apparent errors from records |
Deadline | Up to December 31 of the Assessment Year | 4 years from end of financial year of order |
Multiple Filings Allowed? | Yes | Usually one rectification allowed |
Best Used For | Declaring or correcting data before return is processed | Fixing issues in a processed return (e.g., mismatch in TDS or refund rejection) |
Filing a Rectification Request Under Section 154: When and How
Section 154 of the Income Tax Act allows taxpayers to request correction of clerical or calculation-based errors made by the CPC (Central Processing Centre) in processing your return.
Typical Scenarios for Rectification:
CPC shows less TDS than claimed (despite Form 26AS/AIS showing the correct amount).
Refund denied due to incorrect tax computation or mismatched bank account details.
Errors in interest calculations or carry-forward losses not accepted.
Steps:
Log in to the portal
Go to ‘Services’ → ‘Rectification’
Select the relevant AY and reason
Upload corrected XML/JSON file or input revised data
Submit and verify
You can file a rectification within 4 years from the end of the financial year in which the original order was passed.
Missed Deductions in Original ITR? Here's What to Do
If you forgot to claim deductions under sections like 80C (e.g., LIC, PPF), 80D (medical insurance), or 80G (donations), you can include them in a revised return. Ensure proper documentation for each claim:
Investment proofs
Payment receipts
Bank statements, if required
Adding these deductions can reduce taxable income significantly and maximize your refund—if filed before the due date.
Changing Bank Details for Refund? Your Options
An incorrect or outdated bank account can cause significant delays in receiving your income tax refund. The Income Tax Department processes refunds electronically, and any error, like an inactive account, wrong IFSC code, or incorrect account number, can lead to failed refund credit. Fortunately, there are two clear options to update your bank details depending on the status of your return:
1. If the Return Has Not Been Processed Yet
You can file a revised return under Section 139(5) and update the correct bank details. This option is available as long as the original return has not yet been processed by the department and the deadline to revise is still open.
Steps to follow:
Log in to the e-filing portal.
Select “File Revised Return” and choose the assessment year.
Fill out the correct ITR form and update the bank account details.
Enter the original acknowledgment number and date.
Submit and e-verify the revised return.
Once processed, the refund will be credited to the updated bank account provided in the revised ITR.
2. If the Return Has Already Been Processed
If your original return has already been processed and your refund has failed due to wrong or inactive bank details, you cannot file a revised return anymore. Instead, you can use the rectification feature under Section 154 to update your bank information.
Steps to update via rectification:
Log in to the income tax portal.
Navigate to ‘Services’ → ‘Rectification’.
Select the relevant assessment year and choose “Refund Reissue Request.”
Enter the new, valid bank account details.
Ensure the bank account is pre-validated through the portal.
This allows the department to reissue the refund to the corrected account without needing to change the rest of the ITR details.
Validation Is Crucial
Regardless of the method used, always ensure that:
The bank account is active and in your name.
The account is linked to your PAN.
It is pre-validated and EVC-enabled through the portal’s pre-login feature under “My Profile” → “My Bank Account.”
Proper validation ensures faster processing and prevents refund rejections due to technical mismatches.
By taking timely action and choosing the correct method, you can resolve bank-related refund issues efficiently and ensure a smooth refund experience.
Deadline to File a Revised Return for FY 2024-25
The last date to file a revised return for FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26) is December 31, 2025. After this deadline, revisions are not allowed, even if mistakes are discovered later. Timely filing ensures eligibility for refunds and avoids interest or penalties.
Multiple Revisions: Is There a Limit?
There is no legal cap on how many times you can revise your return within the assessment year.
However:
Only the latest revised return is considered final
Frequent revisions may raise red flags during scrutiny or assessments
It’s best to review your return thoroughly and submit a clean final version
TaxBuddy Can Help Simplify the Revision Process
Revising a return can feel overwhelming, especially if multiple corrections are needed. TaxBuddy offers both expert-assisted plans and intuitive mobile features that guide users through each step. Whether you missed deductions, used the wrong ITR form, or need to correct income details, TaxBuddy ensures your revised return is accurate, timely, and compliant.
Conclusion
Revised returns under Section 139(5) offer a second chance to make your tax return accurate and complete. By correcting errors and claiming missed deductions before the deadline, you not only safeguard your compliance but also optimize your tax position. For anyone looking for assistance in tax filing, it is highly recommended to download the TaxBuddy mobile app for a simplified, secure, and hassle-free experience.
FAQs
Q1. Does TaxBuddy offer both self-filing and expert-assisted plans for ITR filing, or only expert-assisted options?
TaxBuddy provides both self-filing and expert-assisted plans. Taxpayers who are comfortable filing on their own can use the platform’s intuitive interface, while those looking for professional support can opt for expert-guided plans for accuracy and compliance.
Q2. Which is the best site to file ITR?
While the official Income Tax Department portal is widely used, platforms like TaxBuddy offer additional features such as automated deduction suggestions, expert review, and assistance with revised returns—making them a preferred choice for simplified and error-free filing.
Q3. Where to file an income tax return?
Income tax returns can be filed online at www.incometax.gov.in, or through authorized e-filing platforms like TaxBuddy that guide users through every step and provide expert validation to minimize errors.
Q4. Can I file a revised return after claiming a refund in the original return?
Yes, if you discover errors in the original return after claiming a refund, you can still file a revised return under Section 139(5) before the end of the assessment year. If the revised computation leads to a higher refund, the balance amount will be processed accordingly.
Q5. What’s the difference between a revised return and a rectification request?
A revised return (Section 139(5)) is used when the taxpayer notices an error in the filed return. A rectification request (Section 154) is used when the return has been processed and the mistake is in the processing (like TDS mismatch). Each serves different stages of the ITR process.
Q6. How many times can I revise my ITR?
There is no limit to the number of times you can revise your income tax return, as long as all revisions are made within the same assessment year. However, it is recommended to make revisions carefully to avoid scrutiny or delays.
Q7. Can missed deductions like 80C or 80D be added through a revised return?
Absolutely. If deductions under sections like 80C (e.g., PPF, ELSS), 80D (health insurance), or 80G (donations) were missed, they can be included in the revised return, provided valid documentation is available.
Q8. Is there any penalty for filing a revised return?
There is no separate penalty for filing a revised return. However, if the original return was filed late (beyond the due date), late filing fees under Section 234F may still apply. Revising the return does not reset this penalty.
Q9. What if my bank account details were wrong in the original ITR?
If your refund was not processed due to incorrect bank details, you can update them in two ways: by filing a revised return before the deadline or by submitting a rectification request if the return is already processed.
Q10. Can I revise ITR filed using an incorrect ITR form?
Yes, using the wrong ITR form in your original submission is a common error. You can correct this by choosing the correct ITR form while filing a revised return under Section 139(5) within the allowed timeframe.
Q11. What happens if I miss the deadline to file a revised return?
If the deadline (March 31 of the assessment year) is missed, you lose the opportunity to revise your ITR. However, if the error is clearly visible in the processed return, a rectification request under Section 154 may be submitted—subject to eligibility.
Q12. How can TaxBuddy help with revised return filing?
TaxBuddy simplifies the entire process by identifying errors, suggesting eligible deductions, and providing expert assistance to revise the return accurately. The mobile app also ensures timely updates, real-time tracking, and user-friendly support, making compliance effortless.
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