Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) accurately is crucial — but mistakes happen. Many taxpayers unintentionally miss out on reporting certain income, claim wrong deductions, or forget to include bank interest or other details. The good news is, the Income Tax Department allows you to correct such errors by filing a Revised Return.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to fix your ITR and avoid penalties.

🧾 Common Mistakes While Filing ITR

Some of the most frequent errors include:

· Forgetting to include interest income from savings or fixed deposits.

· Failing to report freelance, side, or rental income.

· Claiming incorrect deductions under Sections 80C, 80D, etc.

· Entering wrong bank account details or PAN.

· Not verifying the return after submission.

These mistakes can lead to tax notices, delayed refunds, or even penalties, if not corrected in time.

✅ What Is a Revised Return?

A Revised Return is an updated version of your original ITR that lets you correct or add any missing information.
According to Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act, any taxpayer who has filed an original return on or before the due date can file a revised return if they later discover an error or omission.

📅 Deadline to File a Revised Return

For the Financial Year 2024–25 (Assessment Year 2025–26), the last date to file a revised return is december 31, 2025 — that is, three months before the end of the assessment year, or before completion of the assessment, whichever is earlier.

🪜 Step-by-Step Process to File a Revised ITR

1. Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal:
Go to https://www.incometax.gov.in and log in using your PAN and password.

2. Select “File Income Tax Return”:
Choose the assessment year (for example, AY 2025–26).

3. Choose “Section 139(5) – Revised Return”:
In the section type, select “Revised Return.” You’ll also need to provide the Acknowledgement Number and Filing Date of your original ITR.

4. Correct the Errors:
Update or add any missing income details, correct deductions, or fix bank account information.

5. Recalculate and Submit:
Once the corrections are made, review the return carefully and recalculate your tax liability before submission.

6. E-Verify the Return:
Don’t forget to e-verify it using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or bank account verification. Unverified returns are treated as invalid.

⚠️ Important Things to Remember

· You can revise your ITR multiple times before the deadline if you discover more mistakes later.

· If you filed a belated return (after the due date), you can still revise it.

· Keep copies of both your original and revised returns for record purposes.

· A revised return replaces the original one — the latest version is considered your final valid return.

💡 Why Filing a Revised Return Matters

Correcting mistakes helps you:

· Avoid notices or scrutiny from the Income Tax Department.

· Claim any missed deductions or refunds.

· Ensure your tax records are accurate for future financial needs such as loans or visas.

🧮 The Bottom Line

Making mistakes in your ITR is common, but what matters is correcting them on time. Thanks to the revised return facility, taxpayers have the flexibility to fix errors easily through the online portal.

So, if you’ve realized an oversight — don’t panic. Just log in, revise, and verify your return before the deadline to stay tax-compliant and stress-free.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.