Which ITR Form Should I File for AY 2026-27? — Interactive Selector
Not sure whether to file ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3 or ITR-4 this year? Answer a few questions and this free CA-built selector applies the exact AY 2026-27 eligibility rules – including this year’s changes: ITR-1 and ITR-4 now allow up to TWO house properties, the LTCG window of Rs 1.25 lakh under Section 112A stays available in ITR-1/4, and business filers without audit get the new 31 August due date. Firms, LLPs, companies and trusts are covered too.
Why the right form matters: a return filed in the wrong form can be treated as defective under Section 139(9) – a 15-day notice, and an invalid return if ignored. Two minutes here saves that entirely. When in doubt between two forms, the higher form (ITR-2 over ITR-1, ITR-3 over ITR-4) is always safe.Agricultural Income Tax Calculator
1Who is filing?
2Business or professional income (tick all that apply)
3Capital gains and crypto
4Special situations (tick all that apply)
You should file
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Why:
This is not a one-evening return.
ITR-2 and ITR-3 carry capital gains, foreign assets, unlisted shares, ESOPs or business books - the schedules where mistakes turn into notices a year later. My Cloud Accountant will prepare and file it, and tell you what it costs before starting.
Resident (ROR) individual – salary/pension, up to 2 house properties, other sources, agri up to Rs 5,000, listed-equity LTCG up to Rs 1.25 lakh
Income up to Rs 50 lakh; long exclusion list (director, unlisted shares, foreign assets, crypto, any STCG…)
31 July 2026
ITR-2
Individuals/HUF without business income – capital gains, multiple properties, NR/RNOR, over Rs 50 lakh
No business/profession income; partners excluded
31 July 2026
ITR-3
Individuals/HUF with business/profession income – regular books, F&O, partners of firms, crypto trading
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31 August 2026 (no audit) / 31 October 2026 (audit)
ITR-4 Sugam
Resident individual/HUF/firm (not LLP) on presumptive 44AD/44ADA/44AE, plus salary and up to 2 house properties
Income up to Rs 50 lakh; same exclusions as ITR-1
31 August 2026
ITR-5
Firms, LLPs, AOP, BOI
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31 Aug / 31 Oct (audit)
ITR-6
Companies (not claiming Section 11 exemption)
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31 October 2026
ITR-7
Trusts, charitable institutions, political parties (Sections 139(4A)-(4D))
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31 October 2026
What changed for AY 2026-27: ITR-1 and ITR-4 now permit up to two house properties (earlier one); the 23-July-2024 capital-gains date split is gone (the whole year follows the new rates); Schedule AL applies only above Rs 1 crore of income; and business filers without audit get 31 August permanently (Finance Act 2026). Forms were notified on 30 March 2026 and corrected on 10 April 2026.
Frequently asked questions
I am salaried with a small LTCG on mutual funds. Can I still file ITR-1?
Yes – if the LTCG is under Section 112A (listed equity/equity funds), does not exceed Rs 1.25 lakh, and you have no capital loss brought forward or to carry forward. Any STCG, or LTCG on property/gold/debt, needs ITR-2.
I have salary and an F&O loss. Which form?
ITR-3 – F&O is non-speculative business income, profit or loss. Filing ITR-3 also lets you carry the loss forward (only if filed by the due date – 31 August 2026 for non-audit).
I am a partner in a firm with only profit share. ITR-2?
No – partners file ITR-3 even where the only receipt is exempt profit share, and certainly where remuneration or interest is received from the firm.
I am an NRI with salary and some capital gains. Which form?
ITR-2 – non-residents and RNORs cannot use ITR-1 or ITR-4 regardless of income level or sources.
What happens if I file the wrong form?
CPC can treat the return as defective under Section 139(9), giving 15 days to correct it – and an ignored notice makes the return invalid. If you have received such a notice, see our 139(9) response tool.
Is it wrong to file a higher form than needed?
No – a person eligible for ITR-1 may validly file ITR-2, and an ITR-4 filer may use ITR-3. The reverse is what causes defective-return notices.
Disclaimer: This selector applies the notified AY 2026-27 eligibility rules for the common situations. Unusual cases – foreign retirement accounts, Section 5A apportionment, business trusts, relief claims requiring specific schedules – should be confirmed with a professional. The recommendation here is indicative, not advice.
