# ITR deadline Aug 31: Freelancers, side hustlers must pick right form

2026-08-22T10:02:34+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet (3 source reports)

The August 31 deadline for filing income tax returns (ITR) for non-audit cases is approaching. Livemint reports that freelancers must treat their income as business or professional income under the Income-tax Act. They must choose between ITR-3, for those maintaining regular books of account, and ITR-4 (Sugam), for those opting for the presumptive taxation scheme under Section 44ADA with total income up to Rs 50 lakh. The Income Tax Department has shared a checklist on X to help taxpayers decide between the two forms. Freelancers earning from foreign clients must report that income after converting it to rupees, and may need to pay advance tax if total liability exceeds Rs 10,000 after TDS. Unlike salaried employees who get a standard deduction, freelancers can claim actual business expenses such as internet bills, rent, and depreciation. Salaried employees with a side business, Livemint adds, must report salary and business income separately, using ITR-3 or ITR-4, and may require GST registration if revenue crosses Rs 20 lakh for services.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All three Livemint articles are service journalism: neutral-report guides on ITR filing. There is no government-critical or pro-government framing because the pieces simply explain tax rules as they stand, quoting the Income Tax Department's checklist and tax experts. The uniform emphasis is on compliance deadlines (Aug 31) and form selection, not on policy debate. The coverage omits any discussion of the burden on freelancers or the complexity of the rules. A careful reader should note that the presumptive scheme's Rs 50 lakh cap and the requirement to file by Aug 31 apply only to non-audit cases, missing the deadline invites penalties.

## Coverage

Coverage: 3 sources, 3 neutral
- livemint.com (neutral report) <https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/itr-filing-for-freelancers-form-foreign-expenses-tax-deductions-deadline-all-faqs-answered-11787384186835.html>
  Straightforward FAQ guide on ITR forms, expenses, and deadlines for freelancers, no editorial slant.
- livemint.com (2) (neutral report) <https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/income-tax-department-explains-how-to-choose-between-itr-3-and-itr-4-quick-checklist-for-taxpayers-11787485642544.html>
  Presents the Income Tax Department's checklist verbatim to help taxpayers choose between ITR-3 and ITR-4.
- livemint.com (3) (neutral report) <https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/salaried-employee-with-a-side-business-heres-how-you-should-report-your-income-in-itr-11787476377599.html>
  Explains tax rules for salaried employees with side businesses, citing a tax expert, without advocacy.

This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources. Last updated 2026-08-23T21:12:02+00:00.

Tags: advance tax, income tax department, ITR-3, ITR-4, Section 44ADA
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