Income Tax Return Deadline Approaching

September 15 marks the final day for filing your income tax return (ITR) for the fiscal year 2024-25. For those who haven’t completed their filings, it might be tempting to wish for an extension.

However, the Income Tax Bureau has firmly stated that no extensions will be granted. The deadline remains September 15, 2025.

Additionally, the department has alerted taxpayers about misleading messages circulating on social media and messaging apps. These false notifications suggest that the ITR deadline has been extended to September 30, 2025.

The Income Tax Agency has dismissed this false information and urged taxpayers to refer only to official announcements from @Incometaxindia.

These fraudulent messages claim that “the CBDT will extend the filing date for ITRs until September 15, 2025.” Taxpayers are advised to disregard such misinformation.

For those still needing to file their returns, here’s a straightforward guide:

• Log in to the official income tax portal using your PAN as your user ID and password.
• Navigate to the ITR filing section.
• Select the appropriate assessment year.
• Choose your filing status.
• Pick the correct ITR form.
• Double-check all information.
• If necessary, pay any tax dues.
• Submit the return.

Your return will be verified within 30 days to confirm your submission.

The Income Tax Bureau also provides round-the-clock assistance for taxpayers through phone support, live chat, WebEx sessions, and Twitter/X.

Keep in mind that late submissions will incur a penalty of Rs 5,000 for incomes over Rs 5,000, and Rs 1,000 for lower incomes as per Section 234F. You can file late or revised returns until December 31, 2025, while updated returns (ITR-U) can be submitted until March 31, 2030. There’s also an interest charge of 1% per month on unpaid taxes from the due date until they are settled, according to Section 234A.

As of September 13, 2025, the Income Tax Bureau reported over 6 trillion ITRs submitted, showcasing an upward trend in tax compliance. For perspective, in the previous assessment year (2024-25), 7.28 crore was reported by July 31, 2024, reflecting a growth rate of 7.5% compared to the previous year’s 6.77 crore.

Taxpayers are encouraged to file their returns promptly to avoid penalties and interest. Ensuring the correct process is followed and verifying the return can help facilitate acceptance and processing, especially if a refund is due.