ITR Submission Deadline Update: What You Need to Know
The Income Tax Department has not announced any extensions for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) beyond the September 16, 2025 deadline. This means taxpayers who haven’t filed their returns by that date will do so late.
Typically, the deadline for ITR submissions is July 31 each year. However, this year, the Income Tax Bureau has extended it to September 15, 2025, mainly due to updates required for the new e-filing portal. Interestingly, there were several glitches on the tax portal during the final rush on September 15, coinciding with the advance tax deadline. Consequently, the date was pushed back to September 16, 2025.
Despite ongoing complaints from users about access difficulties and errors on the portal, the deadline has not been further extended.
Penalties for Late ITR Submissions
Filing an ITR after the stated deadline will label it a late return, which can still be submitted until December 31, 2025. While this option ensures compliance, there are several penalties and consequences involved.
- Late Fee: A penalty of up to Rs 5,000 is applicable, with a fee of Rs 1,000 for incomes below Rs 5 lakh.
- Interest Fees: Under Sections 234A, 234B, and 234C, interest on unpaid tax will accrue.
- Loss of Carryover Benefits: Late submissions limit the ability to carryover losses or depreciation.
- Extended Refund Processing: Refunds for late submissions usually take longer to process.
- Increased Scrutiny: Late ITRs may face additional examination from tax authorities.
The Central Direct Tax Committee (CBDT) noted that as of September 15, ITR submissions on various platforms exceeded 7.3 crores, topping the previous year’s total of 7.28 crores. The Income Tax Bureau also provides advice on resolving browser-related issues, which can help with local access problems.
