Everyone who has ever filed an ITR knows how easy it is to make a slip. Maybe the bank interest got missed, a new job added an extra Form 16, or you clicked the wrong deduction column. The law doesn’t treat such human errors harshly. Section 139(5) was built exactly for that — to let you correct yourself before the department points it out.
Filing a revised return doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. It simply shows that you value accuracy.
The Legal Backbone — Section 139(5) Explained
Here’s the essence of what the law says:
If you discover any mistake or omission in a return you’ve already filed — whether it was on time or a little late — you can submit a corrected version. The only condition is that you must do it before three months from the end of the assessment year or before your assessment is completed, whichever happens first.
So, for example, if you filed for FY 2023–24, you get time until 31 December 2025 to make corrections (since AY 2024–25 ends on 31 March 2026).
Who Can Use This Provision
Anyone who has filed a return — individuals, salaried employees, business owners, freelancers, even companies — can use this route.
It especially helps:
- Individuals who have made mistakes, omitted income, or misreported deductions
- People who get a revised Form 16 from their employer"
- Taxpayers who forgot small income like interest or rent
- Professionals or firms who later noticed mismatch in TDS or turnover
The only condition: your original return must have been filed under Section 139(1) or 139(4).
What You Can Correct in a Revised Return
Almost everything that affects your income details or deductions can be changed:
- Missed income like FD interest, freelance payments, or capital gains
- Incorrect or double deductions under Section 80C or 80D
- Change in bank account, PAN, or address
- Updated TDS or advance-tax entries
Once you file a revised return, it replaces your original one — meaning the old one becomes irrelevant.
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How to File a Revised Income Tax Return
- Go to the Income-tax e-Filing portal.
- Click File ITR & pick the correct Assessment Year.
- Choose the same ITR form (ITR-1, ITR-2, etc.) you used earlier.
- Under the filing section, select “139(5) – Revised Return.”
- Enter your original ITR’s acknowledgment number and date.
- Make the corrections, review carefully, & submit.
- Verify it using Aadhaar OTP, EVC, or DSC.
That’s it — the new ITR overwrites the earlier one in the system.
Time Window — Don’t Miss It
Your return has to be revised three months before the end of the relevant AY.
Miss that date, and the error stays on record. Once the assessment closes, you lose the option.
So always track the due date in your acknowledgment or set a calendar reminder for December of the following year.
Real-World Example
Ravi, a marketing consultant, filed his ITR for FY 2023-24 in July 2024.
In November, while reconciling his bank statement, he found ₹18,000 interest from a fixed deposit that wasn’t reported.
He logged in, chose Section 139(5), added that income, paid the extra tax, and resubmitted.
Because he revised it well before 31 December 2025, his record stayed clean & he avoided penalty or scrutiny.
That’s how Section 139(5) quietly protects honest taxpayers.
Can You Revise a Late Return?
Yes — that’s a big relief many people don’t know. Earlier, belated returns couldn’t be revised, but now they can. Even if you filed your ITR under Section 139(4) after the due date, you still get the right to correct it before the revision window closes.
Difference Between Revised, Rectified, and Updated Returns
|
Type of Return |
Purpose |
Who Files |
Deadline |
Key Point |
|
Revised Return (139(5)) |
To correct your own mistakes |
Taxpayer |
3 months before end of AY |
Replaces original ITR |
|
To fix errors made by dept. system |
Taxpayer/Dept. |
4 years from FY end |
Used for minor corrections |
|
|
To declare extra income voluntarily |
Taxpayer |
Up to 2 years later |
Extra 25–50 % tax applies |
Common Triggers for Revising Your ITR
- Missed declaring interest or dividends
- Wrong or duplicate deduction claimed
- Revised Form 16 received from employer"
- Error in bank details or IFSC
- Capital gain wrongly computed
- Income shown under the wrong head
If any of these sound familiar, don’t wait for an income-tax notice — file a corrected version yourself.
Also Read: TDS on Contractor and Subcontractor Payments
What Happens If You Don’t Revise
If an omission stays uncorrected, it can turn into a case of under-reporting or misreporting. That may lead to:
- Penalties under Section 270A
- Interest under Sections 234B & 234C
- Delay in refund processing
- Greater chance of getting a scrutiny notice
The revised return section is your safety net — use it before the department spots the issue.
A Few Ground Rules
- You can revise multiple times, as long as it’s within the time limit.
- Once an assessment is completed, revision is not possible.
- Always quote the correct acknowledgment number of your original ITR.
- Keep PDF copies of both returns for your records.
Revised Return vs Updated Return – Which One Do You Need?
If you’re just fixing a mistake or adding missed income, choose revised return under Section 139(5).
But if you’re coming forward after the revision window closes & want to disclose additional income voluntarily, then go for the updated return under Section 139(8A)— but remember, it comes with extra tax (25 % or 50 % of the difference).
Why Section 139(5) Matters
This single section has built a culture of honesty in India’s tax system. It encourages people to fix errors on their own rather than fear consequences. For individuals who have made mistakes, omitted income, or misreported deductions, this law acts as protection.
It’s better to amend voluntarily today than explain it later during scrutiny.
Quick Checklist Before You File
✅ Cross-check Form 26AS & AIS with your bank and broker statements.
✅ Reconfirm all deductions — 80C, 80D, 80TTB, and others.
✅ Match TDS credits with Form 16/16A.
✅ Recalculate capital gains.
✅ Verify your bank account for refunds.
Doing this once can save hours of trouble later.
Also Read: Tax Deduction on Savings Account Interest
How Professionals Handle It
Tax professionals often advise clients to treat Section 139(5) as a routine check-up.
Just like you visit a doctor yearly, you should review your filed return a few months later — especially after AIS & 26AS updates.
If anything doesn’t match, file a revision instead of hoping it goes unnoticed.
Final Thoughts
The income tax revised return section under Section 139(5) is proof that the system is evolving toward cooperation, not punishment. It gives you room to correct your numbers & move forward without penalty.
If you notice missing income or wrong deductions, don’t ignore it — revise it. The process is fast, online, and designed to encourage voluntary correction.
If you think your ITR might have errors or you’ve received mismatch alerts from the portal, let our experts handle it for you.
Visit CallMyCA.com — we’ll review your filed return, identify issues, & file a flawless revised income tax return before the deadline. A quick fix today can save you a long explanation tomorrow.
