ITR-6 Form Explained AY 2026-27: Company Tax Filing FAQs

ITR-6 is the income tax return form for every company registered under the Companies Act that does not claim exemption under Section 11. Over 28 lakh companies are registered in India, of which 65% are active. For AY 2026-27, CBDT notified a revised ITR-6 form via the Income-tax (Sixth Amendment) Rules, 2026, effective 30 March 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • ITR-6 for AY 2026-27 was notified via Income-tax (Sixth Amendment) Rules, 2026, effective 30 March 2026.
  • Over 28 lakh companies are registered in India; every active company except those exempt under Section 11 must file ITR-6.
  • Section 115BAA (22%) and Section 115BAB (15%) elections are permanently irrevocable. Existing MAT credits are permanently lost on election.
  • Companies with any international transaction must file Form 3CEB and meet a separate deadline: 30 November 2026.
  • Schedule BBS has been removed from ITR-6 for AY 2026-27; buyback tax now falls on shareholders, not companies.

What is ITR-6 and which companies must file it?

The following company types must file ITR-6 for AY 2026-27:

  • Private limited companies
  • Public limited companies (listed and unlisted)
  • One Person Companies (OPCs)
  • Foreign companies earning income in India (at 40% tax rate)
  • Section 8 companies that do not claim Section 11 exemption
  • Nidhi companies, producer companies, and other special structures

ITR-6 does not apply to firms, LLPs, AOPs, or individuals. A company that has claimed and received Section 11 approval switches to ITR-7 instead.

Is ITR-6 mandatory even if the company has zero income?

Yes. Every company must file ITR-6 for each assessment year, regardless of whether it earned any income. Filing late strips the carry-forward right for that year’s losses. Newly incorporated companies that sit idle for their first year frequently miss this obligation — creating problems when seeking funding or approaching banks.

What are the biggest changes to ITR-6 for AY 2026-27?

  • Schedule BBS removed: The buyback tax schedule no longer exists. From 1 October 2024, distributed buyback income is taxable at the shareholder level, not the company level.
  • Section 43B(h) MSME column added: Companies must now separately disclose payments due to MSME suppliers and whether they were paid within the statutory period.
  • LEI mandatory for large refunds: Companies claiming refunds above a prescribed threshold must now provide their Legal Entity Identifier (LEI).

Corporate tax rates for AY 2026-27

  • Domestic companies (general rate): 30% + 12% surcharge (if income > ₹10 crore) + 4% cess
  • Section 115BAA (concessional rate): 22% flat + 10% surcharge + 4% cess = effective ~25.17%
  • Section 115BAB (new manufacturing companies): 15% flat + 10% surcharge + 4% cess = effective ~17.01%
  • Foreign companies: 40% + applicable surcharge + 4% cess
  • Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT): 15% on book profit, applicable to companies not opting for Section 115BAA/BAB

Warning: Elections under Section 115BAA and 115BAB are permanently irrevocable. Once elected, the company cannot switch back to the general rate. All existing MAT credits are permanently forfeited upon election.

What are the ITR-6 filing deadlines for AY 2026-27?

  • Non-transfer pricing cases: 31 October 2026
  • Transfer pricing cases (international transactions): 30 November 2026
  • Form 3CEB (transfer pricing audit): Must be filed before the ITR itself

Companies with any international transaction — even a single inter-company loan or a management fee — must file Form 3CEB. There is no minimum value threshold. Missing this requirement creates significant assessment risk.

Common ITR-6 mistakes to avoid

  • Forgetting to file for dormant/zero-income companies
  • Incorrectly continuing to compute MAT after electing Section 115BAA
  • Missing Form 3CEB for any international transaction
  • Not disclosing MSME payment delays under the new Section 43B(h) column
  • Omitting LEI for large refund claims

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice. Consult a qualified Chartered Accountant for advice specific to your situation. All figures and dates are based on information available as of May 2026.