CBDT Notifies ITR-U Form Allowing Taxpayers to Update Returns Within 48 Months With Additional Tax Liability [Read Notification]

The Central Board ofDirect Taxes (CBDT), under the Ministry of Finance, has issued Notification No. 52/2026 dated March 30, 2026, introducing a new ITR-U (Updated Return) form under the Income-tax Rules, 1962. The notification allows taxpayers to update their income tax returns even after the original filing deadline, subject to certain conditions.

The new rules have come into effect from the date of publication and will apply to updated returns filed under Section 139(8A) of the Income-tax Act.

The ITR-U form is aimed at improving voluntary tax compliance by giving taxpayers an opportunity to correct errors or omissions in previously filed returns or to file a return if they missed doing so earlier.

Who can file ITR-U

Taxpayers can use the updated return facility in the following situations:

• If they did not file their return earlier
• If they reported incorrect or incomplete income
• If they selected the wrong head of income
• If they want to reduce losses or tax credits wrongly claimed
• If they are responding to a notice issued under section 148

The updated return can be filed within 48 months from the end of the relevant assessment year.

Key conditions

• The taxpayer must confirm eligibility under Section 139(8A)
• The form requires details of earlier returns, if any, and the reason for updating income
• Taxpayers must choose the correct ITR form along with ITR-U

Additional tax liability

The notification provides that filing an updated return comes with an additional tax burden:

• Extra tax is levied on the additional income disclosed
• The rate increases based on delay and can range from 25% to 70% or more
• Higher rates apply in certain cases such as filing after receiving a notice
• Taxpayers must pay the due tax under Section 140B before filing the updated return
• The form includes detailed computation of income, tax payable, and additional liability

Payment requirement

• Taxpayers must pay the due tax under Section 140B before filing the updated return
• The form includes detailed computation of income, tax payable, and additional liability

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