Short notes, kept current.

Audit cases: tax audit report now due 21 October, and the return 21 November

The CBDT has given more time to taxpayers whose accounts must be audited, for assessment year 2026-27. The tax audit report can now be filed by 21 October 2026 instead of 30 September. The income tax return for these cases is now due on 21 November 2026 instead of 31 October.

This covers companies, other taxpayers whose accounts require an audit, and working partners of audited firms. Returns for other taxpayers keep their usual dates.

Source: Income Tax Department e-filing portal

One payment module for the old and new Income-tax Acts, and TDS corrections reopen

The e-filing portal now has a single payment module for tax payable under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and the Income-tax Act, 2025. Correction statements for TDS and TCS returns can also be filed for tax year 2026-27.

If you have a TDS return with errors, correcting it early avoids mismatches in your Form 26AS and your deductees’ returns.

Source: Income Tax Department e-filing portal

GST Council meeting moved to 7 October 2026

The 57th GST Council meeting, planned for 12 September, has been rescheduled to 7 October 2026 in New Delhi, with the officers’ meeting on 5 and 6 October. Reports say the agenda includes simpler GST registration and more automated cancellation of registrations.

Nothing the Council recommends takes effect until it is notified, so please wait for the notification before changing anything. We will note any change that affects you.

Source: GST Council

The company filing amnesty (CCFS-2026) closed on 15 September

The Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme 2026 let companies regularise delayed annual filings, such as MGT-7 and AOC-4, with reduced additional fees. The Ministry extended its last date to 15 September 2026 by General Circular 04/2026.

The window has now closed. If your company has annual filings pending, please file them without further delay, because the usual additional fees apply to late filings. We can check what is outstanding.

Source: Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Disclosure scheme for small taxpayers with foreign assets, open until 31 December

The Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers Disclosure Scheme, 2026 is a one-time chance to declare foreign assets or income that were not reported earlier. It opened on 16 August 2026, the declaration is made in Form 1 on the e-filing portal, and the last date is 31 December 2026.

It has two routes, depending on the value of the assets and how they were acquired, each with its own payment. Whether it suits you depends on your facts, so please speak to us before you file.

Source: Income Tax Department e-filing portal

Advance tax: the next instalment is due on 15 December

If your tax for the year is expected to be more than ₹10,000 after TDS, you generally need to pay it in instalments during the year rather than all at the end. By 15 December, the total paid should come to 75% of your estimated tax for the year.

Paying short attracts interest, so it is worth making an estimate now, while there is still time to adjust. We can help you work it out.

The monthly dates to keep in your diary

For regular monthly GST filers, GSTR-1 is due on the 11th and GSTR-3B on the 20th of the following month. TDS deducted in a month is generally deposited by the 7th of the next month.

Dates differ for quarterly filers and for some categories, and they can be extended by notification, so please check the current position before you rely on them.

Match your purchases before you file GSTR-3B

Input tax credit can be claimed only on invoices that appear in your GSTR-2B. Before filing, compare it with your purchase records and follow up with suppliers whose invoices are missing.

A few minutes of checking each month avoids mismatches, notices and credit that has to be reversed later.

Received a tax notice? Read it, note the date, and ask for help early

Every notice has a reply date, and the portal shows it. Do not ignore a notice, even one that looks routine, because unanswered notices can lead to orders being passed against you.

Send us a copy as soon as it arrives. We will explain what it asks for and the time you have to respond.