Revised Return vs Belated Return: What’s the Real Difference?

Every taxpayer in India is expected to file their Income Tax Return (ITR) within a stipulated timeline. But life doesn’t always go as planned. You may file your return on time only to later realize that you forgot to mention a particular income or missed out on claiming a deduction. Or worse, you may miss the ITR deadline altogether. In either of these situations, the Income Tax Department offers you two crucial options: the revised return and the belated return. Though both seem like a second chance, they are not the same. Here's a detailed explanation of how they differ and when you should use each.

What is a Revised Return?

A revised return is essentially a corrected version of the return that you’ve already filed. Let’s say you submitted your ITR well within the deadline, but later realize that you used the wrong ITR form or forgot to include certain income details. In such cases, the Income Tax Act allows you to re-file the return with the correct details. This is what we call a revised return.

Under Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act, any taxpayer who has filed their return before the due date is eligible to file a revised return. This provision ensures that genuine mistakes don’t become a cause of penalties or tax scrutiny. The revised return replaces your original return, and it can be filed multiple times before the end of the assessment year or completion of the assessment—whichever comes earlier. For example, for the financial year 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26), the last date to file a revised return is 31st December 2025.

Filing a revised return does not attract any penalty, but if you discover that you owe more tax after correction, interest may apply.

What is a Belated Return?

A belated return, on the other hand, is filed when you’ve missed the original due date altogether. The deadline to file your ITR is generally 31st July of the assessment year, unless extended by the government. If you fail to file your return by that date, the law still allows you to file it later, up to 31st December of the same assessment year. But this comes with consequences.

Under Section 139(4), the belated return provision offers a second chance to file, but it carries a cost. First, there's a late filing fee under Section 234F — which can be up to ₹5,000 depending on your total income. Second, you may lose certain benefits, such as the ability to carry forward business or capital losses. Lastly, interest under Sections 234A, 234B, and 234C may apply if you had unpaid taxes when the deadline passed.

So, while a belated return helps you remain compliant and avoid harsher consequences, it’s not ideal if you’re eligible for deductions or refunds. Filing on time is always the smarter choice.

How Are They Different?

The revised return and belated return both serve as remedial options, but they apply to entirely different scenarios. A revised return is filed to fix errors in an already timely filed ITR. A belated return is what you file if you missed the deadline and are trying to catch up.

One of the major distinctions is that only those who have filed their return on time can file a revised return. If you never filed the original return, you are not eligible to revise — you must first file a belated return. Interestingly, even belated returns are now allowed to be revised, thanks to recent amendments. This means if you file late but make another mistake, you can still correct it before 31st December of the assessment year.

From a legal perspective, both filings are tracked differently. The revised return is covered under Section 139(5), whereas the belated return falls under Section 139(4). They also differ in how they affect your tax calculations, refund eligibility, and the possibility of notices from the department.

When Should You Use Which?

If you’ve already submitted your return on time and then notice something wrong—say, a misreported income, missed deduction, or even a spelling error in your name—the revised return is your go-to option. It allows you to correct and resubmit your return without paying any penalty, as long as you meet the deadline.

On the other hand, if you completely missed filing your return before the due date, you no longer have the option to file a regular or revised return. In this case, your only choice is to submit a belated return, knowing well that you might lose out on some benefits and face additional charges.

Final Thoughts

The Income Tax Department offers flexibility to correct errors or file late returns, but these options should be used wisely. While both the revised return and belated return help you stay compliant, they come with different rules, deadlines, and consequences. Filing your ITR on time and accurately is always the best approach. But if you do make a mistake or delay, knowing the difference between these two can save you from future hassles—and possibly, penalties.

 1. What is the difference between a revised return and a belated return?

A revised return is filed to correct mistakes in an ITR that was originally submitted on time. A belated return is filed when the taxpayer misses the original deadline and files the return after the due date.

2. Can I revise a belated return?

Yes, as per recent amendments, even belated returns filed under Section 139(4) can be revised under Section 139(5), provided it's done before 31st December of the assessment year or before assessment is completed.

3. How many times can I revise my return?

There is no limit on the number of times you can file a revised return, as long as it is within the deadline (31st December of the assessment year or before assessment completion).

4. What happens if I file a belated return after 31st December?

After 31st December of the assessment year, you can no longer file a belated or revised return. In such cases, you may receive a notice from the Income Tax Department, and will need to respond or wait for the department to initiate proceedings.

5.Will a revised return delay my refund?

A revised return may slightly delay your refund, especially if major changes are made. However, it’s better to correct errors to avoid future notices.