Deadline to file income-tax returns for business, professional, freelancers are fast approaching on 31 August. (AI-generated image)

For those with business or professional (including freelancers) income, deadline to file their income-tax returns is fast approaching on 31 August. Taxpayers filing non-audit income tax returns will have to use the ITR-3 or ITR-4 forms, as applicable.

According to the I-T portal, more than 6.5 crore ITR filings (ITR-1, 2 and including over 2 crore ITR-3, 4) were completed by the 31 July deadline. This included salaried individuals, students with income, pensioners and those with income from multiple house properties, bank or post bank interest, dividends, capital gains, and / or other sources

Now, for those filing ITR-3 form, as well as those opting for the presumptive taxation scheme using ITR-4 (Sugam) form, the due date is as follows:

• 31 August 2026: Salary from freelance or business income that does not require a tax audit.
• 31 October 2026: Business or professional income requiring a tax audit.

How to file your ITR online?

Taxpayers can file their returns using the official e-filing portal here — https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/login. Taxpayers can log in using their PAN details, select the applicable ITR form, verify their income and deduction details (if filing under old tax regime), pay tax due (when necessary) and complete e-verification after submission of the return.

The e-filing portal also provides access to pre-filled information based on available records, including details from Form 16, Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS).

Alternatively, if you so choose, you can engage with a Chartered Accountant (CA) or registered tax expert to file your returns by a third-party authorised representative. Further, a number of fintech and tax information platforms also provide services that include advice, assistance and filing of returns for a cost.

When should taxpayers choose ITR-3 or ITR-4?

The Income-Tax Department posted on X explaining how taxpayers filing non-audit income tax returns by 31 August can ensure they select the correct ITR form before filing.

When is ITR-3 applicable?

ITR-3 is applicable if you are an individual or HUF with business or professional income but do not opt for presumptive taxation, including cases where you maintain regular books of account, have total income above ₹50 lakh, or engage in F&O trading.

• For individuals or Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) with business or professional income, and do you maintain books of account or not come under the presumptive taxation scheme.
• If your total income more than ₹50 lakh, or you engage in F&O trading.
• Applicable to individuals and HUFs having income under — Salary or pension, house property, profits and gains from business or profession, capital gains, and income from other sources.
• The form is generally applicable where the taxpayer is not eligible to file ITR-1, ITR-2 or ITR-4.

When is ITR-4 applicable?

ITR-4 is applicable if you are an individual, HUF or firm opting for presumptive taxation of business or professional income, with total income of up to ₹50 lakh.

• For individuals, HUF, or firm, with business or professional income being declared under the presumptive taxation scheme.
• If your total income equal to or less than ₹50 lakh during the financial year.
• Income from certain other sources — salary or pension, income from up to two house properties, income from other sources, including interest, family pension and dividend, agricultural income of up to ₹5,000, and capital gains under Section 112A, subject to the applicable limit of ₹1.25 lakh, can also be included.
• It is not applicable for taxpayers who have short-term capital gains or long-term capital gains under Section 112A exceeding ₹1.25 lakh.
• It is also not applicable to those who hold unlisted equity shares or have foreign assets or income.
• Taxpayers with losses to be carried forward, deferred ESOP tax, or income chargeable at special rates cannot use ITR-4 either.
• Directors of companies are also not eligible to file this form.

Checklist for ITR-3 and ITR-4 filers

Filers of ITR-3 and ITR-4 must have Form 26AS, AIS, TIS, Form 16 and 16A, bank passbooks and advance/self-assessment tax challans. See the following checklist:

• Check the TDS break-up with Form 16 and match professional and other receipts with Form 16A, AIS and bank statements.
• Businesspersons must retain the Trial Balance, Profit and Loss Account, Balance Sheet, sales and purchase registers and invoices.
• Keep GST returns, payment-gateway statements and the fixed-asset register, and reconcile them with turnover, expenses and depreciation in the return.
• Keep brokerage statements, contract notes, demat statements and capital gains details.
• Property owners should retain rental agreements, municipal tax receipts, ownership records and housing loan interest certificates.
• Keep tax audit reports, Form 10-IEA acknowledgements, and evidence supporting deductions.

Disclaimer: This is only for informational and educational purposes. Please consult a qualified expert for the latest laws and regulations.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jocelyn Fernandes

Jocelyn Fernandes is a journalist and editor with nearly 13 years of experience covering the business, corporate, economy and markets beats in news. A...Read More

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Jeevan Pramaan: 6 hurdles NRI pensioners may encounter in life certificate submission and how to overcome them

The Jeevan Pramaan platform allows pensioners to submit Digital Life Certificates online, but NRIs reportedly face challenges like lack of Aadhaar-linked Indian mobile numbers and difficulties with digital services, prompting many to submit offline.

Garvit BhiraniUpdated28 Aug 2026, 02:59 PM ISTAdvertisementJeevan Pramaan for NRIs: What are the key challenges they may face while submitting life certificate? Check solutions (Images: EPFO/JeevanPramaanportal, File photo)AI Quick Read

The Jeevan Pramaan platform enables eligible pensioners to submit their Digital Life Certificate (DLC) online. However, pensioners residing outside India often find the process difficult due to several practical and technical hurdles, forcing many NRIs to opt for offline submission.

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For pensioners based overseas, completing the annual life certificate process digitally can be challenging because of problems such as difficulties with Aadhaar authentication, the absence of an Indian mobile number needed for OTP verification and reliance on family members in India.

A Jeevan Pramaan Patra, or Digital Life Certificate (DLC), is an Aadhaar-based, biometric-enabled digital certificate designed for pensioners. It is generated using the pensioner’s Aadhaar number along with their biometric details.

Under the Jeevan Pramaan system, pensioners do not need to visit the pension disbursing officer in person to submit their life certificate. The digitally generated certificate is transmitted electronically to the concerned pension disbursing agency, eliminating the need for physical submission.

The Bharat Pensioner Samaj (BPS), which says it represents 10 lakh central government pensioners, has highlighted six major challenges faced by NRIs in submitting Jeevan Pramaan online in a letter to the central government, reported The Economic Times.

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Jeevan Pramaan: Here are key issues NRIs may face

1. Problems with biometric and facial verification: Older pensioners can encounter difficulties while completing biometric or face-based authentication. Age-related changes in fingerprints, unclear facial images, insufficient lighting and device-related technical glitches may result in authentication failures.

2. Aadhaar-linked Indian mobile number unavailable: Pensioners living abroad may not have a working Indian mobile number registered with their Aadhaar. This can become a hurdle when the Jeevan Pramaan process requires an OTP to complete verification.

3. Difficulty accessing digital services independently: Older pensioners may find it challenging to navigate mobile applications, websites and digital verification procedures without assistance. They often depend on children, relatives or other trusted individuals to fill in information, complete authentication and submit their life certificates. For NRIs living away from family in India, arranging such support can be particularly difficult.

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4. Difficulty reaching Indian missions: When online submission is not feasible, NRI pensioners may need to visit an Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate for support. In several countries, the nearest Indian diplomatic mission could be located far away, making travel especially challenging for elderly pensioners and those with mobility constraints.

5. High cost and delays in sending documents: NRI pensioners who need to send a physical life certificate to India may have to bear high international courier or registered-post charges. The document can also take several days or even weeks to reach the intended destination, depending on the country of origin and the delivery location in India.

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6. Risk of delivery delays or document loss: Even when an NRI pensioner dispatches the life certificate ahead of the deadline, unforeseen delays can occur during transit. Documents sent from overseas may take longer to reach the pension-disbursing bank branch, while there is also a possibility of the certificate being misplaced or lost during delivery.

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4 ways pensioners can submit life certificate without visiting India

NRI pensioners and family pensioners do not necessarily have to complete the Jeevan Pramaan process online or travel to India to submit their annual life certificate. The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), through an office memorandum issued on October 31, 2025, laid down four alternative arrangements for those facing difficulties with online submission.

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1. One option is available to pensioners living overseas who draw their pension or family pension through a bank covered under the Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, as per The Economic Times. In such cases, the life certificate may be authenticated by an officer designated by the concerned bank. The pensioner is not required to appear in person.

2. Another provision allows an authorised agent to submit the life certificate on behalf of a pensioner or family pensioner residing outside India. The certificate must be authenticated by a magistrate, notary, banker or an Indian diplomatic representative. This route also removes the requirement for the pensioner to make a personal appearance.

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3. Those who are unable to come to India can also approach the Indian diplomatic mission in their country of residence. An authorised official at an Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate can issue the life certificate for the NRI pensioner or family pensioner.

4. For issuing the certificate, the official may verify the pensioner's details using the Pension Payment Order (PPO), passport photograph or another acceptable document.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Garvit Bhirani

Garvit Bhirani is a journalist based in Gurugram. He is a Deputy Chief Content Producer at LiveMint, where he covers national and international news s...Read More

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