ITR 2026 Update: From Secondary Address to Capital Gains; What Changed

Taxpayers filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) for the assessment year 2026-27 should note some changes in the newly notified ITR forms. These changes will apply to the financial year 2025-26 and are aimed at improving disclosures and making reporting clearer. It is important to note that these new ITR forms are for AY 2026-27 and not for the tax year itself.

The last date for filing ITR for non-audit cases has been fixed as July 31, 2026. Taxpayers must file returns on time following the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and Income Tax Rules, 1961.

Now you will have to give primary and secondary addresses. The most important change in the new ITR forms (ITR-1 to ITR-7) is related to addresses. Earlier, taxpayers had to provide only one address, along with the option to provide a maximum of two mobile numbers and email IDs.

Now in revised format:

• It is mandatory to provide a primary address.
• A secondary address will also have to be given.
• Contact details (mobile number and email) will now also have to be entered separately in primary and secondary categories.

The purpose of this change is to better communicate with taxpayers and make their identification more accurate.

Simple process for representative assessee

Where the return is filed through a representative assessee, detailed information previously was required to be provided, such as the following:

• Address
• PAN
• Aadhaar

Now this process has been simplified. Only the following information has to be given in the revised forms:

• Name
• Email ID
• Contact Number

These changes will make compliance easier and reduce unnecessary documentation.

Capital Gains Reporting is now straightforward.

Another important change has been made related to capital gains reporting. Earlier, taxpayers had to show capital gains separately in two parts before 23 July 2024 and after 23 July 2024. This split was important due to the change in tax rate under the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024.

Now for AY 2026-27, this type of separate reporting requirement has been removed, and for FY 2025-2026, the rate change applied only during the transitional period.

This has made the filing process simpler and clearer. The main objective of the changes made in the new ITR forms is to make the process more systematic and user-friendly. Taxpayers should familiarise themselves with these changes and accurately complete the information to ensure they can file their ITR on time without any issues.