The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has announced a major relief for taxpayers by extending the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year 2025–26. The new last date to file your ITR is now September 15, 2025, replacing the earlier deadline of July 31, 2025123456.
Significant Revisions in ITR Forms: The ITR forms for AY 2025–26 have undergone major structural and content changes to simplify compliance and enhance transparency15.
System Development and Testing: Additional time is needed for the development, integration, and testing of the updated e-filing utilities, ensuring a smooth filing experience15.
TDS Credit Reflections: TDS credits from statements due by May 31, 2025, will only start reflecting in early June, reducing the effective filing window without an extension125.
Salaried Employees: Most salaried taxpayers and those not requiring audit now have 46 extra days to file their returns1.
Tax Professionals: The extension provides much-needed relief to tax consultants and professionals, as the Income Tax Portal was not yet ready for filing as of late May 20251.
General Taxpayers: Anyone whose accounts do not require audit can benefit from the extended timeline13.
New Due Date: September 15, 2025, for FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26)123456.
Penalty for Late Filing: A penalty of up to ?5,000 will be levied if the ITR is not filed by the new deadline1.
Filing Start Date: ITR filing for this year is expected to begin in June 2025, once the updated forms and utilities are live on the Income Tax Portal17.
Prepare Your Documents: Use the extended time to gather all necessary documents and ensure your TDS credits are reflected correctly.
Wait for Portal Updates: Monitor the Income Tax Portal for the release of updated ITR forms and utilities before starting your filing process.
Consult Experts: Reach out to tax professionals for guidance, especially if you have complex income sources or deductions.