New Delhi: The government has extended the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline for individuals and businesses not requiring audit to September 15, 2025. The original deadline was July 31, but it was pushed forward to provide taxpayers more time in the wake of technical issues and overlapping compliance work.
Who Needs to File by September 15?
This extension applies to salaried employees, small business owners, professionals, and others whose accounts are not subject to audit. For those requiring audits, separate deadlines remain in place later in the year.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Missing the September 15 cutoff can result in multiple penalties:
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A late fee of up to ₹5,000 under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act.
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Interest charges on unpaid tax dues under Sections 234A, 234B, and 234C.
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Loss of certain benefits, such as carrying forward capital losses or claiming specific deductions.
Why Timely Filing Matters
Officials stressed that timely filing ensures smoother processing of refunds and prevents legal complications. Tax experts are urging taxpayers not to wait until the last minute, as the portal often sees heavy traffic closer to the deadline.
With just days left, the Income Tax Department has advised individuals to double-check Form 26AS, Annual Information Statements, and bank interest entries before submission to avoid mismatches.
