Tax audit deadline extended: What you should do now

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for both tax audit and income tax return (ITR) filing for Assessment Year 2026-27. The return filing deadline for relevant cases has been extended from October 31, 2026, to November 21, 2026, and the tax audit report submission deadline has been pushed back to October 21, 2026.

Taxpayers should be cautious when filing their returns to avoid errors that may result in an income tax notice. To help minimize mismatches and reporting gaps, companies should ensure their return information aligns with records on the income-tax portal, financial statements, and other relevant regulatory filings. They should also check TDS/TCS, advance tax and self-assessment tax credits, and ensure all taxable income is correctly reported, including business income, capital gains, income from house property, income from other sources, and foreign-source income.

Companies must also verify that the correct ITR form is used, as companies not claiming exemption under Section 11 must file Form ITR-6. Special attention is required for companies with foreign assets or foreign source income, as they may be required to furnish Form 67, along with supporting evidence. The applicable corporate tax regime should be carefully checked, and any required tax audit, transfer-pricing report, or accountant’s report should be completed based on transactions or deductions claimed.

Form 3CD is required for companies under tax audit under Section 44AB, with the report due one month before the ITR filing deadline. Additionally, companies may need to file other forms like Form 3CEB, Form 10-IC, Form 67, Form 29B, Form 10DA, or Form 3CEA, depending on their transactions, deductions claimed, and applicable tax regimes.