1What is the deadline to make tax-saving investments?
March 31 — the last day of the financial year. Investments in 80C, NPS and 80D must be made on or before the 31st to count for that year; anything from 1 April falls in the next year.
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ArticleMarch 31 is the hard deadline for most tax-saving actions for the financial year — miss it and the chance is gone until next year. Here's a practical last-minute checklist to make sure you've claimed everything before the year closes.
Reviewed by CA Harika Chebolu, FCA · Last updated 2026-06-13
Quick answer
The financial year ends on 31 March — your last chance to make 80C/80D investments, harvest losses, pay advance tax and tidy your records. Here's the checklist.
Check how much of your Rs 1,50,000 80C limit is already used by EPF and existing premiums, then top up the gap with PPF, ELSS or life insurance before 31 March. Investments made on or before the 31st count for the year; those on 1 April don't.
If you haven't, put up to Rs 50,000 into NPS for the 80CCD(1B) deduction that sits above 80C, and pay any pending health-insurance premiums for 80D (Rs 25,000 for self and family, plus up to Rs 50,000 for senior parents). Both must be paid by year-end to count.
If you have realised capital gains this year, consider booking genuine losses before 31 March to offset them and reduce the net taxable gain. This is a year-end-only lever — once the year closes, this year's gains are locked in.
The last advance-tax instalment is due 15 March, and the full year's tax should be paid by 31 March to minimise 234B/234C interest. Re-estimate your income for the year and clear any shortfall now rather than discovering it at filing.
Gather rent receipts, premium and donation receipts, loan-interest certificates and investment proofs, and reconcile your income against your AIS. Having everything in order before the year closes makes filing fast and accurate — and ensures nothing eligible is left unclaimed.
March 31 — the last day of the financial year. Investments in 80C, NPS and 80D must be made on or before the 31st to count for that year; anything from 1 April falls in the next year.
Yes — top up 80C, add the Rs 50,000 NPS, pay 80D premiums, and harvest capital losses before 31 March. These are last-chance actions for the year, so use the days you have left.
You lose the chance to claim those deductions for that financial year. Tax-saving investments can't be backdated, so the limits reset and the opportunity carries no further than 31 March.
Cutting it close before year-end? Write to the firm and we'll tell you exactly what's worth doing in the days you have left.