ITR filing FY 2025-26: Has deadline for Income Tax Returns filing been extended beyond September 15? Income Tax Department clarifies
The Income Tax division on Sunday dismissed social media claims suggesting that the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) had been extended beyond September 15, clarifying that the due date stays unchanged.In a put up on X, the division mentioned: “A fake news is in circulation stating that the due of filing ITRs (originally due on 31.07.2025, and extended to 15.09.2025) has been further extended to 30.09.2025. The due date for filing ITRs remains 15.09.2025.” The clarification got here amid a wave of unverified messages circulating on-line.The I-T division has urged taxpayers to rely solely on updates from its verified deal with @IncomeTaxIndia and keep away from being misled by false claims. It additional famous that its helpdesk is working “on a 24×7 basis” to assist taxpayers with ITR filing, tax fee and different associated providers by way of calls, stay chats, WebEx classes and X.Over six crore ITRs had already been filed for the Assessment Year 2025-26 as of Saturday. The division thanked taxpayers and professionals for their efforts, whereas reminding these but to file to take action earlier than the September 15 deadline to keep away from last-minute delays, penalties and curiosity.The filing window had initially closed on July 31 however was extended to September 15 on account of revisions launched in ITR types earlier this yr. These “structural and content revisions” have been rolled out in April–May, requiring adjustments to filing utilities and back-end programs, which prompted the extension.While this leisure coated people, HUFs and non-audit entities, officers have underlined {that a} additional extension is “unlikely.”Taxpayers lacking the deadline can nonetheless file a belated return till December 31, 2025, although this attracts late charges beneath Section 234F of the Income Tax Act — Rs 1,000 for revenue as much as Rs 5 lakh and Rs 5,000 for revenue above that threshold.Delays additionally set off curiosity liabilities beneath Sections 234A, 234B and 234C. Moreover, belated filers are shifted to the brand new tax regime by default and lose the flexibility to hold ahead sure enterprise or capital losses.ITR submissions have been steadily rising lately. For AY 2024-25, a report 7.28 crore returns have been filed by July 31, 2024, up from 6.77 crore the earlier yr, marking a 7.5% annual enhance.With Monday marking the ultimate day, the division has reiterated its enchantment: file early, comply on time, and keep away from penalties.
