How to File a Revised Return Under Section 139(5): Eligibility, Due Date, and Filing Process

A revised return under Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is filed when a taxpayer discovers any omission, wrong statement, incorrect disclosure, or computational error in the original return of income. It allows the taxpayer to correct particulars such as unreported income, incorrect deductions, wrong exemption claims, mismatch in tax credits, or errors in capital gains, salary, business income, or other income schedules.

Once filed and verified, the revised return replaces the original return for assessment purposes. The revised ITR must be furnished within the prescribed statutory time limit and should contain complete and accurate particulars of income, deductions, taxes paid, TDS/TCS credits, and refund or tax payable, as applicable.

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Table of Content

Budget 2026 Update on Revised Return Filing Due Date

What is a Revised Return Under Section 139(5)?

Due Date for Filing a Revised Return Under Section 139(5)

Key Points to Remember Before Filing a Revised Return

How to File a Revised Return Under Section 139(5) on the Income Tax Portal

Step-by-Step Process to File a Revised ITR Online Through Income Tax Portal

Penalty for Filing a Revised ITR After the Due Date

FAQs

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Budget 2026 Update on Revised Return Filing Due Date

As per the Budget 2026 update, the time limit for filing a revised return has been extended from 31 December to 31 March of the relevant assessment year. This gives taxpayers additional time to rectify errors or omissions in the return of income, subject to the applicable provisions of the Income Tax Act.

What is a Revised Return Under Section 139(5)?

A revised return is an Income Tax Return filed under Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 to correct any omission, wrong statement, incorrect claim, or error in the original return of income. If a taxpayer notices any mistake after filing the original ITR, the return can be revised within the prescribed time limit.

A revised return may be filed to correct issues such as:

• Under-reporting, over-reporting, or omission of income

• Omission or excess claim of deductions or exemptions

• Incorrect tax computation or refund claim

• Missing disclosures in the return

• Selection of an incorrect ITR form

• Incorrect reporting of salary, capital gains, business income, or other income

Due Date for Filing a Revised Return Under Section 139(5)

• A revised return must be filed within the time limit prescribed under the Income Tax Act

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• The current time limit is 31 March of the relevant assessment year or before completion of assessment, whichever is earlier.

• Once the assessment is completed by the Income Tax Department, the taxpayer cannot revise the return under Section 139(5).

Key Points to Remember Before Filing a Revised Return

• Revised return replaces the original ITR: Once a revised return is filed and verified, it becomes the valid return of income for that assessment year.

• Revision is allowed even after refund processing: If the original return has been processed and refund has been issued, the taxpayer may still file a revised return within the prescribed due date.

• ITR form can be changed: If the wrong ITR form was selected in the original filing, the correct ITR form may be used while filing the revised return.

• Multiple revised returns can be filed: The Income Tax Act does not restrict the number of revised returns, provided each revision is filed within the permitted time limit.

• Revision is not allowed after assessment completion: A revised return cannot be filed once assessment proceedings are completed under the applicable provisions of the Income Tax Act.

• No separate penalty for filing a revised return: Filing a revised return itself does not attract a penalty. However, additional tax, interest, or consequences may apply if income was under-reported or tax was short-paid.

• Errors should be corrected promptly: Any omission, incorrect claim, mismatch, or wrong disclosure should be rectified through a revised return to avoid notices, refund delays, or incorrect tax processing.

How to File a Revised Return Under Section 139(5) on the Income Tax Portal

A revised return can be filed online through the official Income Tax e-filing portal if the taxpayer wants to correct an omission, wrong statement, incorrect income reporting, deduction error, tax credit mismatch, or any other mistake in the original ITR. Before filing, keep the original ITR acknowledgement number, filing date, income details, Form 16, Form 26AS, AIS, TIS, and tax payment details ready.

Step-by-Step Process to File a Revised ITR Online Through Income Tax Portal

Step 1: Log in to the Income Tax Portal

Visit the official Income Tax e-filing portal and log in using PAN, password, and the required verification details.

Step 2: Select the Relevant Assessment Year

Choose the assessment year for which the original return was filed and needs to be revised.

Step 3: Go to the Income Tax Return Filing Section

Go to the e-File section, select Income Tax Return, and choose the return filing option as Revised Return under Section 139(5).

Step 4: Enter Original Return Details

Provide the acknowledgement number and filing date of the original ITR. These details help link the revised return with the original return.

Step 5: Choose the Applicable ITR Form

Select the correct ITR form based on your income sources. If the earlier form was incorrect, the revised return should be filed using the correct applicable form.

Step 6: Make the Required Corrections

Update the return with correct income, deductions, exemptions, bank details, tax credits, capital gains, or any other revised information.

Step 7: Review Tax Computation

Check the revised tax payable or refund amount after making corrections. Also verify TDS, TCS, advance tax, self-assessment tax, Form 26AS, AIS, and TIS details.

Step 8: Preview and Submit the Revised Return

Review all schedules carefully before submission. Once the details are correct, submit the revised return.

Step 9: E-Verify the Revised ITR

E-verification is mandatory. The revised return can be verified through Aadhaar OTP, net banking, EVC, or Digital Signature Certificate, wherever applicable.

Step 10: Track Revised Return Status

After submission and verification, track the revised ITR status from the dashboard. The return will be processed by the Income Tax Department as per applicable procedures.

Penalty for Filing a Revised ITR After the Due Date

A return can be treated as a revised return under Section 139(5) only if the original ITR was filed within the prescribed due date and was duly verified within the required time limit.

If the original return was not filed within the due date, it will be treated as a belated return under Section 139(4), not a revised return. In such cases, late filing fee under Section 234F may apply, which can be up to ₹5,000, depending on the taxpayer’s total income.

No separate penalty is levied merely for filing a revised return. However, if the revision results in additional tax payable, applicable interest and tax liability must be paid before filing the revised ITR.

FAQs

Q1. What is a revised return under Section 139(5)?

A revised return is an Income Tax Return filed to correct any omission, wrong statement, incorrect disclosure, or error made in the original return.

Q2. Who can file a revised return?

Any taxpayer who has filed an original return or belated return can file a revised return within the prescribed time limit.

Q3. How can I correct mistakes in my ITR?

Mistakes in an ITR can be corrected by filing a revised return under Section 139(5) on the Income Tax e-filing portal.

Q4. What is the due date to file a revised return for AY 2025-26?

For AY 2025-26, a revised return can be filed on or before 31 December 2025, or before completion of assessment, whichever is earlier.

Q5. Does a revised return replace the original return?

Yes. Once filed and verified, the revised return substitutes the original return for processing and assessment purposes.

Q6. Is e-verification required for a revised ITR?

Yes. A revised return must be e-verified within the prescribed time. Without verification, the return will not be treated as valid.

Q7. Can I revise my return more than once?

Yes. A return can be revised multiple times within the permitted due date, if further corrections are required.

Q8. Can a revised return be filed after receiving a refund?

Yes. A revised return can be filed even after the refund is issued, provided the time limit for revision has not expired.

Q9. Can a belated return be revised?

Yes. A belated return can also be revised within the prescribed due date under the Income Tax Act.

Q10. Can the tax regime be changed in a revised return?

Salaried taxpayers and individuals without business or professional income may change the tax regime in a revised return. Taxpayers having business or professional income are subject to restrictions.

Q11. Can a revised return be filed after receiving intimation under Section 143(1)?

Yes. A revised return can be filed after receiving an intimation under Section 143(1), if the revision time limit is still available.

Q12. Can a revised return be cancelled?

No. A revised return cannot be cancelled. However, if there is any error in the revised return, another revised return can be filed within the due date.

Q13. Can I file a revised return after 31 December?

No. A revised return cannot be filed after the statutory due date or after completion of assessment, whichever is earlier.

Q14. What if there is an error in the revised return?

If the revised return also contains an error, the taxpayer may file another revised return within the prescribed time limit.

Q15. How can a defective return be corrected?

A defective return can be corrected by responding to the notice issued by the Income Tax Department. In some cases, a revised return may also be filed if the time limit is available.

Q16. What is the processing time for a revised return?

There is no fixed processing timeline for revised returns. The Income Tax Department processes them as per its internal procedure.

Q17. Can I claim a refund through a revised return?

Yes. If a refund was missed or wrongly calculated in the original return, it can be claimed through a revised return, subject to eligibility.

Q18. Is there any upper limit on income tax refund?

No. There is no fixed upper limit on the refund amount. The refund depends on excess tax paid, valid tax credits, and processing by the Income Tax Department.

Q19. Will a high refund amount delay processing?

A higher refund amount may require additional verification, but there is no fixed rule that refunds above ₹50,000 or ₹1 lakh will be delayed. Refunds are credited only to a validated bank account after processing.