New Delhi, July 23 -- The 31 July 2026 deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) is just a week away. Many taxpayers are scrambling to finish their filings early to beat the last-minute rush and avoid hefty late fees and penalties.

As of 23 July, more than 3 crore ITRs have been filed, reflecting growing awareness and a strong shift towards early compliance.

However, even after these positive tax compliance-related developments, experts caution that those who have yet to file should not delay further, as missing the deadline can have financial and procedural consequences later.

CA Chandni Anandan, tax expert at ClearTax, explains, "With the July 31 deadline approaching, taxpayers should not wait till the last minute, especially now ...