Government Extends ITR Filing Deadline for AY 2025-26

ITR filing deadline is the most important topic. The Income Tax Department has announced an extension of the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the financial year 2024–25 (Assessment Year 2025–26).

Taxpayers who do not require their accounts to be audited can now file their returns by September 15, 2025.

The pace of return filing has been much slower compared to last year. As of September 4, 2025, only 4.56 crore returns had been filed, which is lower than the previous year’s numbers.

Here are the details of current ITR filing status, important deadlines, penalties, and what taxpayers should do next.

Current Filing Status (as of September 4, 2025)

According to data from the Income Tax Department:

• Total ITRs filed: Over 4.56 crore

• E-verified returns: Over 4.33 crore

• Returns processed: Around 3.17 crore

   

This means that while a large number of taxpayers have completed filing, but a substantial share is still pending. In fact, more than 3 crore people are yet to file their returns, with only a little over a week left before the September 15 deadline.

Comparison With Last Year

Looking at last year’s filing numbers shows just how much the pace has slowed.

• By July 31, 2024, around 7.28 crore ITRs were already filed for AY 2024–25.

• On that single day (July 31, 2024), nearly 70 lakh taxpayers filed their returns.

This comparison highlights two things:

1. Last year saw a record surge in last minute filings.

2. This year, even after the extension, the numbers are lagging behind.

This raises the question, will we see another rush in the final days, or will many taxpayers still miss the deadline?

Why to wait? Please file your returns before ITR filing deadline.

Who Needs to File by September 15?

The extended deadline of September 15, 2025 applies only to taxpayers whose accounts do not require auditing. This typically includes:

• Salaried individuals

• Pensioners

• Freelancers with simple income structures

• Taxpayers with income only from one or two sources

For taxpayers whose accounts need to be audited (such as business owners or professionals with complex accounts), the deadline is October 31, 2025. So do not wait for ITR filing deadline.

Penalties for Missing the Deadline

If you miss the September 15 deadline, there are consequences:

1. Late Fee (Section 234F)

   • A late filing penalty of up to ₹5,000 will be charged.

   • If your total income is below ₹5 lakh, the late fee will be reduced to ₹1,000.

2. Interest on Pending Tax (Section 234A)

   • If you have tax dues, an interest of 1% per month will be charged until payment is made.

3. Loss of Certain Benefits

   • You cannot carry forward certain losses (like capital losses) if you miss the deadline.

Belated Returns: A Second Chance

Taxpayers who miss the September 15 deadline still have the option to file a belated return.

• The last date for filing a belated return is December 31, 2025.

• However, this comes with penalties (up to ₹5,000) and loss of some benefits.

• Also, refunds may get delayed if the return is filed late.

So while this option provides a backup, it is not advisable to rely on it.

Why Filing Early Is Better

Many taxpayers wait until the last moment to file returns, but this creates problems. Here’s why filing early is always better:

• Avoids Website Glitches: The Income Tax e-filing portal often slows down due to heavy traffic in the final days.

• Faster Refunds: Early filers usually get refunds processed more quickly.

• Peace of Mind: Filing on time avoids penalties, interest, and last-minute stress.

• Error Checking: Early filing allows time to correct mistakes, if any, in income details or deductions.

Why Are Filings Slower This Year?

Several reasons may explain why fewer returns have been filed so far this year:

1. Extended Deadline Announced Early

   • The government announced the September 15 extension in May itself. This may have made taxpayers more relaxed, thinking they had more time.

2. Waiting for Form 26AS and AIS Updates

   • Many taxpayers wait until their Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS are updated fully before filing.

3. Hopes for Further Extension

   • Some taxpayers are waiting in the hope that the government may extend the deadline once again.

Will the Deadline Be Extended Again?

At this stage, the government has not indicated any further extension beyond September 15. Whether it will extend again depends on:

• The pace of filings in the next 7–10 days

• Whether technical glitches affect the portal

• Pressure from taxpayer associations and industry groups

If filings surge in the final week (as seen last year), another extension is unlikely.

Practical Tips for Taxpayers

If you haven’t filed yet, here are some steps to make the process smoother:

1. Collect Documents Early

   • Salary slips, Form 16, bank statements, interest certificates, investment proofs.

2. Check AIS and Form 26AS

   • Verify income details and TDS deductions to avoid mismatches.

3. Use Pre-Filled Forms

   • The e-filing portal now provides pre-filled data, which reduces errors.

4. Don’t Delay Refunds

   • If you are eligible for a refund, filing late only means waiting longer to receive it.

5. Seek Help if Needed

   • Use a Chartered Accountant or online tax filing platforms if you find the process confusing.

Key Deadlines for AY 2025-26