Income Tax Bureau Clarifies ITR Deadline
On Sunday, the Income Tax Bureau addressed misinformation circulating on social media, confirming that the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITRs) has not been extended beyond September 15th. They clearly stated that this date remains unchanged.
In a message posted on X, the bureau countered the false claims, stating: “There is fake news suggesting that ITRs, originally scheduled for July 31, 2025, and pushed to September 15, 2025, have now been extended to September 30, 2025. The ITR date remains at September 15, 2025.”
This clarification came amid a surge of unverified reports. The bureau has encouraged taxpayers to refer only to the official handle @Incometaxindia for updates to avoid confusion.
Furthermore, the help desks are working around the clock to assist taxpayers with ITR submissions, tax payments, and various related services via phone, live chat, WebEx sessions, and on X.
As of Saturday, over 6 trillion ITRs had been filed for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The department expressed gratitude to taxpayers and financial professionals and reminded everyone who hasn’t yet submitted to do so before the September 15th cutoff to steer clear of potential delays, penalties, and loss of benefits.
The initial filing window closed on July 31 but was later extended to September 15 due to revisions made to the ITR Form earlier this year. These adjustments, termed “Structure and Content Revisions,” took place between April and May, necessitating updates to both the filing utility and backend systems.
This flexibility applied to individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and non-audit entities, but officials stressed that additional extensions are not feasible.
For those who miss the deadline, late returns may be filed until December 31, 2025, though this will incur late fees according to Section 234F of the Income Tax Act. Additionally, missing the deadline could result in interest charges under sections 234A, 234B, and 234C. Taxpayers submitting late might also find themselves switched to a new tax regime automatically, which could affect the ability to carry forward specific business or capital losses.
In recent years, ITR submissions have been on the rise. For the assessment year 2024-25, 7.28 crore returns were filed by July 31, 2024, compared to 6.77 crore the previous year, indicating a 7.5% increase. With the end date approaching, the department reiterated its advice: file early, stay on schedule, and avoid penalties.
