ITR 2026: Even if you or your parents are aged 60 or older and do not have health insurance, you can still avail a tax deduction of up to ₹50,000. Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, senior citizens are entitled to this tax deduction on medical expenses. However, this benefit is available only to taxpayers who opt for the Old Tax Regime; this deduction is not available under the New Tax Regime.

Which expenses qualify for the tax deduction?
Section 80D offers tax deductions on three types of expenses: health insurance premiums, medical expenses for senior citizens without health insurance, and preventive health check-ups.

If a senior citizen does not have health insurance, a deduction of up to ₹50,000 can be claimed on the actual medical expenses incurred. Additionally, a separate deduction of up to ₹5,000 is available for preventive health check-ups.

Benefits for children as well
If parents are aged 60 or older and do not have health insurance, their children who pay for their medical bills can also claim the tax deduction under Section 80D. This deduction applies only to medical expenses paid during the relevant financial year.

Understanding the rule
Consider a 65-year-old senior citizen who spends ₹45,000 on medical treatment in a financial year and has no health insurance; in this case, a tax deduction can be claimed on the entire ₹45,000. However, if the medical expenses amount to ₹90,000, the deduction remains capped at a maximum of ₹50,000.

No benefit for cash payments
Tax deductions under Section 80D are not available for medical treatment payments made in cash. However, payments of up to ₹5,000 for preventive health check-ups can be made in cash.

ITR Filing Deadlines
The Income Tax Department has set different deadlines for filing ITRs for various categories of taxpayers. The deadline for filing ITR-1 and ITR-2 for salaried individuals and other general taxpayers is July 31, 2026. The deadline is August 31, 2026, for business taxpayers not subject to audit; October 31, 2026, for cases requiring an audit; and November 30, 2026, for cases involving transfer pricing. Failure to file the ITR on time may result in penalties and interest charges.

ITR Form    Deadline
ITR-1 and ITR-2    July 31, 2026
ITR-3 and ITR-4 (Non-audit cases)    August 31, 2026
ITR-3 and ITR-4 (Audit cases)    October 31, 2026
Businesses with transfer pricing    November 30, 2026
Belated (late) return    December 31, 2026
Revised return    March 31, 2027
Updated return (ITR-U)    March 31, 2031