Can I revise my income tax return after the assessment year ends?

No. You can only file a revised income tax return as per section 139(5) on or before the 31st of December of the relevant assessment year or before the return assessment is complete (whichever is earlier). However, if you notice any mistakes or omissions in your original return after the assessment year ends, you can file an updated return on or before the end of two years from the relevant assessment year to which the original return pertains.

Is there a limit to the number of times I can revise my return?

No. There is no limit to the number of times you can file a revised return as per section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act.

Should I pay additional tax when filing a revised return?

If the computation in the revised return as per section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act of 1961 increases your liability, an additional tax along with interest (if applicable) must be paid at the time of filing.

Can I revise a return even if I filed the original return belatedly under section 139(4) of the Income Tax Act, 1961?

Yes. You can file a revised return as per section 139(5) even for a belated return if you notice any errors or discrepancies.

Can I revise my income tax return after the Income Tax Department has processed the original return?

Yes. You can file a revised return as per section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act of 1961 even after your original return is processed. However, remember to ensure you file the revised return within the stipulated due date.

Do I need to verify the Revised ITR?

Yes. To complete the filing procedure, you must verify the revised income tax return after submitting it. To authenticate the modifications, you can use an Aadhaar OTP, a digital signature, or an electronic verification code (EVC).

How to correct errors in Income Tax Return?

Section 139(5) allows you to file a revised income tax return to correct mistakes. Update the information in your original ITR and check the submission online.

How many times can a return be revised?

You can file a revised income tax return multiple times under Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act. There is no legal limitation as long as it is within the due date or assessment completion term.

Section 139(5): How to Revise Income Tax Return?

Filing income tax returns (ITRs) can be a complex and often confusing activity for many taxpayers. In fact, it is not uncommon to make mistakes when filing ITRs. Fortunately, the Income Tax Act of 1961 has a specific provision - section 139(5) - to rectify errors in income tax returns.

If there have been any oversight, omissions, or errors in income tax returns, taxpayers revise their tax returns as per section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act. In this article, we will explore what section 139(5) is, the concept of a revised return, and who should file one. Additionally, we will delve into the process taxpayers must follow to file a revised return.

Key Takeaways

Section 139(5) allows you to submit a revised return to correct errors or inaccuracies in the original ITR.

An amended return must be filed by December 31 of the relevant assessment year, or before the assessment is completed.

The method entails entering into the e-filing site, selecting the updated return option, fixing mistakes, and validating the submission.

Filing a revised return avoids penalties and guarantees

Also Read More About What Is Income Tax Return (ITR)?

What Is Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act, 1961?

Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act of 1961 is a special provision that enables taxpayers to file a revised return if they identify discrepancies, such as unreported income, incorrect deductions, or computational errors in their original income tax return.

A revised return is essentially a rectified version of the original income tax return. The option to file a revised return is available to individuals, companies, businesses, and other entities. A revised return as per section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act must be filed on or before December 31 of the relevant assessment year or before the assessment is complete, whichever is earlier.

For instance, assume you notice an error or omission in the income tax return you filed for the financial year 2024 - 2025 (assessment year: 2025 - 2026). In this case, you must file a revised return rectifying the discrepancy on or before December 31, 2025, or before the assessment is complete, whichever is earlier.

The primary objective of section 139(5) was to help taxpayers avoid penalties for unintentional mistakes and to ensure proper compliance with tax regulations.

When Should You File a Revised Return?

Before we explore how to revise your tax return, let us look at some instances in which you should file a revised return.

If you missed reporting any income, such as rental income or interest from fixed deposits, on your original tax return.

If you claimed any exemptions or deductions incorrectly or missed including them due to oversight.

If the bank account details mentioned in the original income tax return are wrong or if you simply wish to update it to ensure timely refund processing.

If you identify any errors in the computation of total income that resulted in an incorrectincorrect tax liability.

Read More About what is fixed deposit(FD)?

How to Revise Your Income Tax Return As Per Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act?

Filing a revised return as per section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act of 1961 is a relatively straightforward process when it is done online. Here is a quick overview of the steps you must follow.

Step 1: Visit the e-filing website of the Income Tax Department and log in using your PAN and password.

Step 2: Once you are logged in, click on the ‘e-File’ tab and select ‘File Income Tax Return’ under the ‘Income Tax Return’ option.

Step 3: Select the relevant assessment year for which you wish to revise the return.

Step 4: Under the ‘Select Filing Type’, choose Section 139(5) - Revised Return.

Step 5: Enter the acknowledgement number and filing date of your original income tax return.

Step 5: Rectify the errors, omissions or discrepancies in the form to ensure that all income, deductions, and tax details are accurately updated.

Step 6: Preview and submit the revised income tax return after verifying the accuracy of all of the details once again.

Step 7: Verify the filed revised return using either of the following methods: Aadhaar OTP, digital signature or electronic verification code (EVC).

Once your revised return is verified, it will be taken up for processing by the Income Tax Department. You can monitor the status of your revised return by logging into your income tax e-filing account.

Important Points to Note While Filing a Revised Return

When filing a revised return under Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act, taxpayers should consider the following:

Replacement of Original Return: An updated and revised return replaces the original ITR. Once submitted, it constitutes the final return for the applicable assessment year.

Revisions After Refund: Even after the initial return has been processed and a refund received, a revised return can still be filed within the specified time frame.

Change in ITR Form: If the correction necessitates a different ITR form, the amended return permits you to switch to the appropriate one.

Unlimited Revisions: A revised return can be filed as many times as needed, as long as it is filed by the due date or before the assessment is completed.

Assessment Limitations: After the assessing officer has completed the assessment under Section 143(3), it is not possible to file a revised return.

No fines: The Income Tax Department does not charge fines for filing an amended return, allowing taxpayers to correct errors without incurring additional costs.

Importance of Corrections: Filing a revised return guarantees that any errors in income, deductions, or tax computations are fixed, preventing tax department notifications and ensuring refunds are processed on time.

Is there a Penalty for Filing Revised Income Tax Return (ITR) After Due Date?

If you file a revised return after the due date specified in Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act, then you may face some penalties for late payment. Interest under these sections: 234A/234B/234C may also be levied. However, filing an amended or revised return is not punished if taxes and interest are paid together.

Your tax return is considered revised only if it was filed by the deadline (16th September 2025) and e-verified within 30 days of filing. Returns filed beyond the due date are deemed untimely and subject to late fines under Section 234F. Belated returns can be filed by December 31, 2025, with a penalty of up to ₹5,000. If taxes are paid, there is no further penalty beyond this cost.

Conclusion

As a taxpayer, you must know how to revise your income tax return. By understanding and being familiar with the provisions of section 139(5), you can avoid unnecessary penalties by correcting genuine mistakes before they become serious consequences. That said, it is important to note that the time for filing revised returns is limited. Therefore, if you notice errors or omissions, make sure to file a revised return immediately.

How to Revise your Income Tax Return Under Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act?