Company income tax return (ITR-6): due dates, penalties and the move to the 2025 Act

Which law and form apply in 2026?

The Income-tax Act 2025 took effect on 1 April 2026, but income earned in FY 2025-26 is still assessed under the Income-tax Act 1961. CBDT notified ITR-1 to ITR-7 for AY 2026-27 under the old law and rules, so companies file their October-November 2026 return in the familiar Form ITR-6.

Income earned from 1 April 2026 falls in tax year 2026-27 under the new Act, where the return obligation sits in section 263. Those returns will be filed in 2027. CBDT has renumbered most forms under the Income-tax Rules 2026, and a company should confirm the notified return form for tax year 2026-27 when it is released rather than assume the ITR-6 label continues.

Who must file ITR-6?

Every company registered in India, and every foreign company with income taxable in India, must file a return, whatever its income or loss. A company that did no business still files. Only companies claiming exemption as charitable or religious institutions file ITR-7 instead.

ITR-6 must be verified with the digital signature certificate of a director or other authorised person; EVC is not allowed for companies. Because every company is audited under the Companies Act, the tax audit report, where applicable, must be filed by the auditor and accepted on the portal before the return.

Due dates for FY 2025-26

Under the 1961 Act, companies fall in the audit category with a due date of 31 October. By a press release and circular of 28 September 2026, CBDT extended the return due date for this category to 21 November 2026 and the tax audit report date to 21 October 2026. Transfer pricing cases are not covered by that extension and have their own date.

What data do you need?

ITR-6 asks for far more than the tax computation. It reproduces the balance sheet and profit and loss account, and asks for detailed schedules that officers use for risk analysis. Gather these before you begin.

• Audited financial statements and the tax audit report, if applicable
• Tax computation, including the choice of the concessional 22% regime where opted
• Form 26AS and AIS to match TDS, TCS and reported transactions
• Advance tax and self-assessment tax challans
• Shareholding details, including for unlisted companies the shareholder and capital schedule
• Brought forward losses, depreciation schedules and MAT credit, where relevant

Late filing, common errors and consequences

A return filed after the due date attracts a fee of ₹5,000 under section 234F of the 1961 Act, and interest at 1% a month under section 234A on tax unpaid at the due date. A belated return cannot carry forward business losses, which is often more costly than the fee. Missing the 31 December belated deadline leaves only the updated return route, at extra tax.

Common errors include TDS claimed that does not match Form 26AS, wrong regime selection, mismatch between financial statement figures and the audit report, and unexplained differences with GST turnover. These lead to adjustments in processing or scrutiny notices. Refogo's partner professionals can prepare and file company returns for a fixed fee.

Step by step

1. 1Finalise audited accounts

   Complete the Companies Act audit and adopt the financial statements.

2. 2Get the tax audit report filed

   Ensure the auditor uploads the tax audit report and the company accepts it on the portal.

3. 3Reconcile tax credits

   Match TDS, TCS and advance tax with Form 26AS and AIS.

4. 4Compute tax and pay balance

   Pay self-assessment tax with interest before filing.

5. 5Prepare ITR-6

   Fill the schedules using the utility or online form and validate.

6. 6File with DSC

   Upload and verify with the director's DSC; save the acknowledgement.