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ITR-U enables eligible individuals to rectify omissions or mistakes in their earlier income tax filings by submitting an updated return under Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act.
The ITR-U form was introduced in Budget 2022 to allow taxpayers a chance to voluntarily correct their return even after the expiry of the original due date, revised return, or belated return.
Income Tax Return: The income tax department has launched the Updated Return (ITR-U) filing facility for the assessment years (AY) 2021-22 and 2022-23 for taxpayers using ITR-1 and ITR-2 forms. This enables eligible individuals to rectify omissions or mistakes in their earlier income tax filings by submitting an updated return under Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act.
“Kind Attention Taxpayers! The facility for filing Updated Returns for AY 2021-22 and AY 2022-23 for ITR-1 & ITR-2 is now available,” the department on Wednesday said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
What is an Updated Return (ITR-U)?
The ITR-U form was introduced in Budget 2022 to allow taxpayers a chance to voluntarily correct their return even after the expiry of the original due date, revised return, or belated return. Taxpayers can file an updated return within 24 months from the end of the relevant assessment year.
This means:
For AY 2021-22 (FY 2020-21), the updated return window closes on March 31, 2024
For AY 2022-23 (FY 2021-22), the window remains open until March 31, 2025.
However, in the 2025 Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the deadline for filing an Updated Return (ITR‑U) under Section 139(8A) will be extended from 2 years to 4 years — i.e., 48 months from the end of the relevant assessment year.
The amendment took effect from April 1, 2025, applying to returns filed in Assessment Year 2025‑26 and onward.
Who Can File ITR-U for ITR-1 and ITR-2?
- You can file ITR-U using ITR-1 or ITR-2 if:
- You are an individual or HUF (Hindu Undivided Family)
- You originally filed ITR-1 or ITR-2 for the relevant year, or missed filing it
- You underreported income, or discovered an omission or error in your previous filing
- You are not facing tax evasion or search/survey proceedings for that year
ITR-1 (Sahaj) is applicable for individuals having income up to Rs 50 lakh from salary, one house property, and other sources (like interest).
ITR-2 is used by individuals and HUFs not having income from business or profession.
When Can You Not File ITR-U?
Updated returns cannot be filed if:
- You’re trying to claim a refund or reduce tax liability
- You’re filing it after tax authorities have initiated search or survey operations
- There’s ongoing assessment for the concerned year
- The updated return leads to a loss or increases an existing loss
Additional Tax Payable
Filing an updated return comes with a penalty in the form of additional tax:
- 50% of the additional tax liability if filed within 12 months
- 100% if filed between 12 and 24 months
This is over and above the regular tax and interest dues.
Why It Matters
The ITR-U facility is a significant reform aimed at increasing tax compliance and transparency by giving taxpayers an opportunity to voluntarily fix errors without fear of prosecution. With the facility now enabled for ITR-1 and ITR-2 for AYs 2021-22 and 2022-23, salaried individuals and HUFs have a clear path to correct mistakes from the past.
Tax experts advise taxpayers to consult a qualified tax professional before filing ITR-U, especially since it involves additional tax and may require proper calculation and documentation to avoid notices.
For filing, taxpayers can log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal and select the updated return option under their respective assessment year. The forms for ITR-1 and ITR-2 have now been updated to accommodate ITR-U filing.
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A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al… Read More
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