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November 4, 2025
Tax Audit Applicability and Tax Audit Return Filing
Introduction
A Tax Audit is not just about meeting a compliance requirement; it is about proving that your books are transparent and reliable. Under Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, a Tax Audit Return is mandatory for businesses and professionals that cross prescribed turnover or receipt limits. With the CBDT recently extending the deadline for AY 2025-26, it becomes important for taxpayers to understand who needs a tax audit, when it applies, and how to file it.
What is a Tax Audit and What is a Tax Audit Return?
A Tax Audit is an examination of the financial records of a taxpayer to confirm that the income, expenses, and claims made in the income tax return are accurate. This audit must be conducted by a Chartered Accountant (CA).
The Tax Audit Return is not a separate return, but the report submitted by the CA in prescribed forms:
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Form 3CA/3CB (audit certification)
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Form 3CD (detailed statement of particulars like depreciation, deductions, TDS compliance, etc.)
Together, these form the backbone of your compliance with Section 44AB.
When is Tax Audit Applicable?
The Income Tax Act sets out specific limits to decide when tax audit is mandatory:
Applicability under Section 44AB
|
Category |
Turnover / Receipts Limit |
Applicability of Audit |
|
Business |
More than ₹1 crore |
Tax Audit mandatory |
|
Business (if 95%+ digital transactions) |
Up to ₹10 crore |
No audit needed |
|
Profession |
More than ₹50 lakhs |
Tax Audit mandatory |
|
Presumptive Taxation under 44AD |
Turnover up to ₹2 crore |
Audit not needed if declaring 6%/8% profits |
|
Presumptive Taxation under 44ADA |
Receipts up to ₹50 lakhs |
Audit not needed if declaring 50% profits |
Example 1
A shopkeeper with turnover of ₹1.2 crore must undergo tax audit, even if most transactions are digital.
Example 2
A consultancy firm with professional receipts of ₹65 lakhs must get books audited under Section 44AB.
Example 3
A trader with turnover of ₹8 crores, but 96% of sales in digital mode, is exempt from audit.
Tax Audit for Share Market Traders
Section 44AB also applies to taxpayers who earn income from trading in the stock market. Income from equity Futures and Options (F&O), equity intraday, currency F&O, or commodity F&O is considered business income and not capital gains.
Because all these transactions are digital, the turnover threshold for determining whether a Tax Audit is required is ₹10 crore. If the trading turnover from such activities crosses this limit, a Tax Audit under Section 44AB becomes mandatory.
For a detailed understanding of turnover rules and practical scenarios, you can also read our blog on All About Tax Audit under Section 44AB of Income Tax Act.
Latest Amendment: Due Date Extended
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for filing Tax Audit Reports for AY 2025-26 from 30th September 2025 to 31st October 2025.
This extension gives assessees one extra month to finalize accounts and get audit reports certified. However, note:
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The ITR filing deadline for audit cases also falls on 31st October 2025.
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For businesses covered by transfer pricing provisions, the due date remains 30th November 2025.
This means that while you have more time, missing the new deadline can still attract penalties under Section 271B.
How to File a Tax Audit Return?
The step-by-step process to file a Tax Audit Return is:
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Maintain Books of Accounts: Cash book, sales ledger, purchase register, expense vouchers, and GST records.
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Reconciliation: Match bank statements, TDS deducted, and GST returns with your books.
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Appointment of Chartered Accountant: Only a practicing CA can conduct tax audit.
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Preparation of Forms:
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Form 3CA: For entities already audited under other laws.
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Form 3CB: For entities not audited under any law.
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Form 3CD: Details of depreciation, deductions, loans, TDS, etc.
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Upload on Income Tax Portal: The CA uploads the report digitally using his login, and the assessee accepts it through their e-filing account.
Conclusion
Tax Audit is not just a legal obligation but also a safeguard to prove transparency of your business or professional income. Filing the Tax Audit Return correctly and within the extended due date of 31st October 2025 ensures smooth compliance and avoids penalties. Businesses and professionals should engage qualified Chartered Accountants early to make the process easier.
Suggested Read :
Understanding Presumptive Taxation under Section 44AD, 44ADA & 44AE
Income Tax Return(ITR) Compliance Calendar With Due dates for FY 2025-26
What is Form 3CD?”, “What is Form 3CB?
OPC vs Pvt Ltd Compliance: Who Files Less and Pays Fewer Penalties?
FAQs on Tax Audit and Tax Audit Return
1. What is a Tax Audit and why is it required?
A Tax Audit is a mandatory review of your financial statements by a Chartered Accountant. It is required to confirm that the income you report, the expenses you claim, and the deductions you take are accurate as per the Income Tax Act. The audit ensures transparency, prevents tax evasion, and allows the government to verify whether you have paid the right amount of tax.
2. What is a Tax Audit Return?
A Tax Audit Return is not a separate income tax return. It refers to the audit report that your Chartered Accountant prepares in prescribed forms, namely Form 3CA or 3CB along with Form 3CD. These forms contain all the details of your accounts, deductions, TDS, and compliance information, and they must be uploaded on the Income Tax Portal before you file your ITR.
3. Who is required to get a Tax Audit done?
A tax audit becomes mandatory for businesses whose annual turnover exceeds ₹1 crore, or up to ₹10 crores if cash transactions are minimal and more than 95 percent of the transactions are digital. Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, or consultants need an audit if their gross receipts exceed ₹50 lakhs in a year. Taxpayers under presumptive taxation also need an audit if they declare profits lower than the prescribed percentage.
4. What is the due date for filing Tax Audit Reports for AY 2025-26?
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for filing audit reports for the assessment year 2025-26. Instead of the earlier deadline of 30th September 2025, taxpayers now have until 31st October 2025 to submit their Tax Audit Reports.
5. What happens if I miss the Tax Audit deadline?
Missing the deadline for filing a Tax Audit Report can lead to serious consequences. The Income Tax Department may impose a penalty under Section 271B, which is 0.5 percent of turnover, subject to a maximum of ₹1,50,000. Apart from penalties, taxpayers may lose certain tax deductions or the ability to carry forward business losses, and there is also a higher chance of facing scrutiny notices.
6. Is Tax Audit applicable to all businesses and professionals?
No, tax audit is not applicable to everyone. It only applies to businesses and professionals that cross the specified turnover or receipt limits, or to those who do not follow presumptive taxation conditions. For instance, a small trader with turnover under ₹1 crore or a professional with receipts under ₹50 lakhs does not need a tax audit unless they voluntarily choose to have one.
7. Can presumptive taxpayers escape Tax Audit completely?
Presumptive taxpayers can avoid tax audit if they follow the prescribed rules. A business under Section 44AD does not require an audit if it declares income at the minimum rate of 8 percent of turnover, or 6 percent in case of digital transactions. Similarly, professionals under Section 44ADA do not need an audit if they declare at least 50 percent of their gross receipts as income. However, if they report lower profits than these prescribed rates, then a tax audit becomes mandatory.
8. What forms are used for filing a Tax Audit Return?
The forms used depend on the nature of the business. Form 3CA is used for entities that are already audited under another law, such as companies audited under the Companies Act. Form 3CB is used for all other entities that do not fall under statutory audits. Along with either of these forms, Form 3CD must be filed, which is a detailed statement of particulars covering aspects like depreciation, deductions, loans, and TDS compliance.
9. What is the difference between a Tax Audit Report and an Income Tax Return?
A Tax Audit Report is a certification prepared by a Chartered Accountant to verify that your books of accounts comply with the law. An Income Tax Return, on the other hand, is a declaration filed by the taxpayer themselves, disclosing total income, deductions, and tax liability. While both are filed on the income tax portal, they serve different purposes: the audit report supports the claims made in the ITR, but it is not the same as filing the ITR.
10. Who can conduct a Tax Audit?
A Tax Audit can only be carried out by a practicing Chartered Accountant. The CA is responsible for reviewing your accounts, preparing the audit report, and uploading it on the Income Tax Portal using their credentials. After that, the taxpayer must accept the report from their own login to complete the filing process.
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