New Delhi, July 31 -- As the 31 July 2026 income tax return (ITR) filing deadline approaches its final hours, activity on the income tax e-filing portal has intensified. With over 5.4 crore ITRs filed so far and counting, taxpayers are rushing to complete the filing process and verify their returns before midnight.

The government has not announced any extension to the ITR filing deadline yet, which means eligible taxpayers must file their returns by tonight. However, if you do end up missing the deadline, it does not mean you have completely lost the opportunity to file your income tax return.

The income tax law provides two different options for taxpayers who need to file after the due date, but choosing the wrong return can create con...