ITR Filing Due Date: The deadline for filing income tax returns (ITR) for FY 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26) has been set for September 15. This new due date applies to individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) and other taxpayers whose accounts don’t require auditing.
The extension was announced in May after repeated appeals from chartered accountants and professional bodies, who cited difficulties faced by taxpayers in meeting the original July 31 deadline. However, taxpayers whose accounts require an audit must continue to file by September 30, 2025, as that deadline remains unchanged. The Chandigarh Chartered Taxation Association (CCATAX) had requested the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to extend ITR and tax audit deadlines further for FY 2024-25 (Assessment year 2025-26).
What were the reasons cited by the different bodies for requesting an extension?
Tax professionals flagged several issues this year
- Portal/technical glitches: Many users reported errors, slow logins, and failures while uploading returns on the income tax e-filing portal.
- Data mismatches: There were differences between the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS, which created confusion about tax credits. As a result, taxpayers had to spend more time matching and checking the data.
- Delayed forms: The release of updated ITR forms and utilities was delayed, which reduced the actual time available for filing.
- New ICAI reporting format: Revised disclosure requirements introduced by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India added to the compliance burden.
What Will Happen If We Miss September 15?
If we miss the September 15 deadline, it could result in late fees under Section 234F and interest under Sections 234A, 234B, and 234C. Taxpayers can also lose the option to carry forward certain losses. With the extension in place, you have enough time to file accurate returns, but keep in mind that last-minute filing might be dangerous, in case you come across technical glitches and other data mismatches. According to Tax professionals, there will be no further extension after September 15.
