Income Tax Return Filing Deadline Set For September 15, 2025, No Further Extensions Announced

The Income Tax Department has confirmed that the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns for FY 2024-25 is September 15, 2025. Taxpayers should rely on official communications to avoid misinformation regarding extensions.

The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2024-25 is September 15, 2025. The Income Tax Department has confirmed that there will be no further extensions beyond this date. This clarification comes amid circulating false information suggesting an extension to September 30, 2025.

To assist taxpayers with filing, the department's helpdesk operates around the clock. Support is available through calls, live chats, WebEx sessions, and Twitter/X. Taxpayers are encouraged to rely solely on official communications from the Income Tax of India X handle for accurate information.

Current Deadlines and Extensions

Initially, the deadline was July 30, 2025, but it was extended by 45 days to September 15, 2025. This extension was due to significant changes in the notified ITRs and the time required for system updates and utility rollouts for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26.

For taxpayers whose accounts need auditing, such as companies and proprietorships, the ITR filing deadline remains October 31, 2025. However, their audit reports must be submitted by September 30, 2025. As of now, there are no announced extensions for these deadlines.

Penalties and Late Filing

If you miss the September 15 deadline, you can still file a belated return until December 31, 2025. However, late filing may incur penalties or reduce certain tax benefits. A penalty of Rs 1,000 applies if your total income is below Rs 5 lakh. If it's above Rs 5 lakh and filed after the due date but before December end, a Rs 5,000 penalty applies.

Additionally, interest at a rate of one per cent per month or part thereof on unpaid taxes will be charged if you file late. It's crucial to meet deadlines to avoid these extra costs.

Release Timeline for ITR Forms

The release timeline for ITR forms varies: ITR-1 and ITR-4 utilities were available by May end; ITR-2 and ITR-3 were released mid-July; ITR-5 came out in early August; while ITR-6 and ITR-7 were released by mid-August.

For non-audit cases like individual taxpayers without business income requiring audit reports, the current due date remains September 15. For revised or belated returns across all taxpayer categories, December 31 is the final submission date.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) attributed this year's extension to extensive changes in notified ITRs requiring additional preparation time for system readiness and utility rollouts specific to AY2025–26.

Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital who writes about markets and personal finance among other topics. He holds a post-graduate diploma in English Journalism from an Indian institution.