Filed Your ITR With Errors? Here's What You Can Do:

Many taxpayers realise their mistake after filing an Income Tax Return (ITR). These errors may be as basic as typing in the wrong personal details, missing a declaration of income, or not claiming a deduction that you are entitled to claim.

As per the FAQs of the Income Tax Department, taxpayers who find any mistake, omission or wrong information after filing their return can file a revised return within the prescribed time limit. For Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27, a revised return can generally be filed until December 31, 2026, or before the assessment is completed, whichever happens earlier.

The department has clarified that a revised return can be filed online under Section 139(5) through the income tax e-filing portal. However, if the original return was filed manually in paper form, it cannot be revised online.

The FAQs also state that if a revised return is filed beyond nine months but before 12 months from the end of the relevant assessment year, a fee may be applicable under Section 234I, depending on the case.

A tax expert said that taxpayers who discover a mistake after filing their ITR can usually correct it by filing a revised return within the allowed time. They may also be given the option to file an Updated Return (ITR-U) in case any income was missed while filing the original return, subject to some conditions and payment of additional tax. If the Income Tax Department finds defect in the return, taxpayers can rectify it within the time period mentioned in the notice.

Another CA said that to file a revised return, the taxpayer has to log on to the income tax e-filing portal, select the option of filing a revised return under section 139(5), enter the acknowledgement number of the original return, make necessary corrections and submit and e-verify the return. The revised return replaces the original one, and taxpayers can revise their return multiple times within the permitted period if they discover new errors.

Important things to remember

You can generally file a revised return up to 31 December 2026 or before the tax assessment is completed, whichever is earlier.

You can file an amended return even if your original return has been processed or your refund has been issued, as long as you are within the time limit.

If you missed the due date for filing a revised return, you can still file an Updated Return (ITR-U) under Section 139(8A) as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act. But an ITR-U can be filed only to report additional income. It doesn't help you get more deductions or a bigger refund. You also may have to pay additional tax and other applicable charges.

Be sure to review all of the information before you file a corrected return. Getting mistakes corrected early can help you avoid notices from the Income Tax Department and avoid delays in getting any eligible refund, and charges can also be applied.

Taxpayers should review all the details thoroughly before filing a revised return. Prompt correction of errors helps to avoid notices from the Income Tax Department and delay in processing eligible refunds.

How To File Revised ITR

Step 1: Log in to Income Tax Department’s e-filing website.

Step 2: Pick the relevant assessment year.

Step 3: Under Section 139(5), select ‘Revised Return’.

Step 4: Put in the acknowledgement number of your original ITR.

Step 5: Make the necessary changes, file the amended return and complete the e-verification process.