What is an ITR-U or Updated Return?
ITR U or Updated Income Tax Return form is a rescue for those who have not filed their ITR or missed or incorrectly reported income in previous returns. ITR-U is a form that allows taxpayers to correct errors or omissions on their ITRs up to four years (as announced in Budget 2025) from the end of the relevant assessment year to update their return. These four years are calculated from the end of the relevant assessment year.
For instance, if you have missed filing ITR for AY 2022-23 (FY 2021-22), the last date to file an updated return is 31st March 2027. Missing this last chance can lead to legal consequences. File ITR-U.
Regardless of whether the taxpayer has filed an original, belated, or revised ITR or has completely missed filing the ITR in a specific financial year, he/she can file an ITR-U upto 4 years of the relevant assessment year. Please note that ITR-U filing for AY 2024-25 has started from 1st January 2025.
Please note:- It is also proposed that no updated return shall be allowed if a notice to show cause under Section 148A of the Income Tax Act has been issued after 36 months from the end of the relevant assessment year. However, if an order is passed under Section 148A(3), determining that it is not appropriate to issue a notice under Section 148, an updated return may still be filed within 48 months from the end of the relevant assessment year. This provision ensures that taxpayers have clarity and flexibility, particularly when a case is determined not to require further scrutiny under section 148.
Any taxpayer can file an updated return u/s 139 (8A) whether he has furnished/not furnished an original return, revised return, or belated return in case of any omission, error, or wrong statement in his earlier return of income.
An Updated Return can be filed if:
- Return previously not filed
- Income not reported correctly
- Wrong heads of income chosen
- Reduction of carried forward loss
- Reduction of unabsorbed depreciation
- Reduction of tax credit u/s 115JB/115JC
- Wrong rate of tax
Eligible for ITR-U? Get CA-assisted ITR U filing for previous years now!
If you want to file your updated ITR through the income tax portal, you need to upload a JSON file. In other words, JSON is a file format, and taxpayers are required to furnish their return in JSON format and upload it to the income tax portal before filing their return. Tax2win tax experts can help you prepare the JSON, and you can upload this JSON to the income tax portal by following the methods below:-
Step 1: First of all, Visit https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/login
Step 2: After logging in, the following screen will appear. Click on the E-file option and proceed accordingly.
Step 3: Select the Assessment year from the list. Let us assume we are filing ITR U for FY 20-21 i.e., AY 21-22.
Step 4: After Selecting Assessment Year, Select “Updated Return” filing type as shown below
Step 5: Select “ITR FORM,” i.e., ITR-1 for salary income. Please visit https://tax2win.in/guide/itr-forms to know which ITR fom is applicable to you.. After selecting ITR FORM, click on continue-
Step 6: After clicking on continue, you will be required to confirm the disclaimer then you will be processed further
Step 7: The following screen will appear on your screen after confirming. click on “ Attach File ” and then attach JSON File.
Step 8: After attaching JSON FILE. The website will validate the file. After validation, Click on "Proceed To Verification".
Step 9: E- VERIFICATION of ITR U at the same time
ITR U can be filed after e - verification only. After clicking on proceed to verification, you will be required to e-verify the ITR at the same moment with the available methods.
Tax2win is India’s leading tax filing company. The tax experts help you with a complete solution of taxes, i.e., from planning on taxes to filing ITR-U, revised ITR, and belated returns. In case you have received an income tax notice from the ITD, our online CA help you with an accurate response and action on it.
Looking for Tax Help, consult our tax experts.
How To Use a JSON File?
JSON file can be opened in any simple text editor. Most individuals use JSON files to read data from a server, store unstructured data, and alter it accordingly with suitable authorisations before transferring it to a web application or website.
What is JSON & Why Is It Required for Filing ITR-U?
JSON or JavaScript Object Notation is a text-based file format which can be used to transfer structured data in web applications. It provides more clarity as it is an easy-to-read data structure and therefore is more convenient to work with. Even if you are not among the tech-savvy users, you can use it without any hassle.
ITR-U (Updated Return) allows taxpayers to correct or update their previously filed returns. The Income Tax Department requires ITR-U to be filed using a JSON file for the following reasons:
- Standardized Format – Ensures uniform data submission.
- Error-Free Processing – Reduces manual errors and mismatches.
- Quick Data Validation – JSON structure allows automated verification by the IT department.
- E-Filing Compliance – The IT portal only accepts returns in JSON format for updated returns.
How to Download JSON Offline Utility
Step 1: Visit the official website of the e-Filing Income Tax portal and click on the ‘Downloads’ option on the dashboard. Select the Assessment Year.
Step 2: Click on the necessary option to download the utility for ITR 1 to ITR 4. (Run and Install the utility)
Step 3: After installation, you can navigate to the ‘Homepage’.
Step 4: Click on the ‘Continue’ option. Once redirected, you can easily file your income tax return for the assessment year 2024-25.
Tax2win offers two filing options to file updated return. If you have any little knowledge of taxes, you can use the self-filing option where our AI integrated platform guide you through the whole journey.
The other option is eCA assisted tax filing, where our tax experts help you with filing and ensure your file is correctly and within time submitted with the tax department. Connect here.
