New Delhi — With the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline approaching, there is a rush among taxpayers to file returns. Amid this, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has issued an important directive to Income Tax officials. She has asked the department to make the process easier for honest taxpayers while taking strict action against those deliberately evading tax. FM’s Key Directions to Tax Officials Addressing tax officials, Sitharaman said: “Our approach should be one where honest taxpayers get convenience, genuine mistakes get a chance to be corrected, and willful tax evasion faces strict action.” She also emphasized that powers under the tax law must be used with courtesy. “A taxpayer is not just a subject of assessment, but a citizen of the country and a partner in nation building,” she said. The FM further stressed on reducing tax disputes and increasing tax certainty. ITR Filing Status So Far 3.2 crore+ ITRs filed till July 21 for the current filing season 94% verified and 60% processed 1.3 crore+ refund claims made 96% refunds verified and 40% settled Sitharaman said faster refund processing boosts taxpayer trust and improves cash flow. CBDT Chairman Ravi Agarwal said grievance redressal has also improved with reduced timelines. The department is now working on addressing root causes of recurring complaints to reduce taxpayer issues from the start. What is the Last Date to File ITR? For most individual taxpayers including salaried employees and pensioners who do not require tax audit: July 31, 2026 As per the ITR-4 help page, the due date for ITR-4 filers for AY 2026-27 is August 31, 2026 There are reports that the July 31 deadline may be extended, but no official notification or circular has been issued yet. Post navigation EPF Interest Not Credited Yet? Check Your Passbook and File a Complaint Like This: Step-by-Step Guide
