The ITR late fee under Section 234F is Rs 5,000 when you file after the due date. It is reduced to Rs 1,000 if your total income is Rs 5,00,000 or below, and is nil if your income is at or below the basic exemption limit (Rs 3 lakh new regime / Rs 2.5 lakh old regime). This flat fee is separate from Section 234A interest of 1% per month on any unpaid tax. For FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) the belated-return deadline is 31 December 2026.
Section 234F Late Fee Structure — AY 2026-27
The late fee depends only on your total income, not on how many days you are late or how much tax is due. The income thresholds below are fixed by statute.
| Total income | Filing status | Section 234F fee | Section 234A interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any amount | On/before your due date (31 Jul 2026 for ITR-1/2, 31 Aug 2026 for ITR-3/4) | Nil | Nil |
| Above Rs 5 lakh | Belated (after due date, by 31 Dec 2026) | Rs 5,000 | 1% per month on tax due |
| Above exemption up to Rs 5 lakh | Belated (after due date, by 31 Dec 2026) | Rs 1,000 | 1% per month on tax due |
| At/below basic exemption | Any (income below exemption) | Nil | Nil |
Basic exemption is Rs 3 lakh under the new (default) regime and Rs 2.5 lakh under the old regime. The Rs 5 lakh threshold for the Rs 1,000 fee is fixed regardless of regime.
If your income is above the basic exemption limit but your tax was fully covered by TDS, you still owe the flat Section 234F fee for filing late — only the 234A interest is skipped because there is no unpaid tax. The fee cannot be waived.
Section 234F (Fee) vs Section 234A (Interest)
Many taxpayers pay one and assume they have covered both. They are distinct: 234F is a one-time flat fee for late filing; 234A is monthly interest on tax you still owe.
Section 234F — Late fee
- Flat, one-time: Rs 5,000 or Rs 1,000
- Triggered by filing the return late
- Applies even if nil tax is payable (above exemption)
- Not a percentage of tax — cannot be waived
Section 234A — Interest
- 1% per month (or part month) on unpaid tax
- Runs from the due date to date of payment
- Applies only when tax is actually payable
- Charged on top of the 234F fee
| Parameter | Section 234F (fee) | Section 234A (interest) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Flat fee (one-time) | Interest (monthly, cumulative) |
| Trigger | Filing ITR after the due date | Tax payable outstanding after due date |
| Amount | Rs 5,000 or Rs 1,000 (fixed) | 1% per month on outstanding tax |
| Applies if nil tax due? | Yes (if above exemption) | No |
| Can be waived? | No | No |
Both apply together if you file late AND have tax payable. Sections 234B and 234C add further interest for shortfall/deferment of advance tax.
Not sure how much 234F and 234A you owe?
Get an exact computation →Belated Return, Revised Return & ITR-U
Miss the 31 July 2026 due date? You can still file a belated return u/s 139(4) up to 31 December 2026, paying the 234F fee. After that only the Updated Return (ITR-U) is available.
- 1Belated u/s 139(4)File by 31 Dec 2026 with 234F fee
- 2Revised u/s 139(5)Correct any return by 31 Dec 2026
- 3Missed 31 DecNo belated/revised return possible
- 4ITR-U u/s 139(8A)Within 48 months of AY end + extra tax
ITR-U (Updated Return) u/s 139(8A) lets you file or correct after 31 December. Budget 2025 extended the window from 24 to 48 months from the end of the assessment year. It carries additional tax over and above the 234F fee and normal interest:
| ITR-U filed within | Additional tax | 234F fee |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months of AY end | 25% of tax + interest | Also payable |
| 24 months of AY end | 50% of tax + interest | Also payable |
| 36 months of AY end | 60% of tax + interest | Also payable |
| 48 months of AY end | 70% of tax + interest | Also payable |
ITR-U cannot be used to claim a refund, reduce tax or report a loss, and is barred where search/assessment proceedings are pending.
A belated return by 31 Dec 2026 costs only the 234F fee (plus 234A on any unpaid tax). Once you cross into ITR-U territory, the additional tax starts at 25% and climbs to 70% — filing sooner is always cheaper.
Consequences of Filing Late or Not at All
- Section 234F fee of Rs 5,000 (Rs 1,000 if income up to Rs 5 lakh) when you eventually file.
- Section 234A interest at 1% per month on any tax payable from the due date.
- Loss carry-forward denied — capital and business losses cannot be carried forward if the return is filed after the due date.
- Refund delayed or lost — excess TDS/advance tax can only be claimed by filing within the window.
- Notices u/s 142(1) / 148 — the department can act against non-filers flagged in Form 26AS / AIS.
- Prosecution u/s 276CC — wilful non-filing where tax exceeds Rs 25,000 can attract rigorous imprisonment.
✓File a belated return if
- You missed 31 July but it is still on/before 31 Dec 2026
- You have refundable TDS to recover
- You want to avoid escalating ITR-U additional tax
!Act fast / seek help if
- You have unpaid tax accruing 234A/234B interest
- You need to carry forward a capital or business loss
- You have crossed 31 Dec and must use ITR-U
- PAN and Aadhaar (linked)
- Form 16 / 16A from employer or deductor
- Form 26AS + AIS/TIS reconciled
- Bank interest and capital-gains statements
- Chapter VI-A deduction proofs (old regime)
- 234F fee + 234A/B/C interest computed
- Challan for self-assessment tax paid
- Return e-verified within 30 days
Missed the ITR deadline? We file belated or ITR-U accurately.
File My ITR Now →- Section 234F / 234A: incometax.gov.in
- Belated & revised return: Section 139(4) / 139(5), Income-tax Act
- Updated return: Section 139(8A) (48-month window per Budget 2025)
- Due dates AY 2026-27: CBDT / incometax.gov.in
Disclaimer: This guide is general information based on the law and notifications in force when it was last updated. It is not professional advice for your case — rates, thresholds and due dates change, so check the current position or speak to our CA team before you act on it.