Deadline for ITR filing pushed to September 16: What prompted the Income Tax department to allow an additional day for tax returns?

Extended ITR Filing Deadline Set for September 16, 2025

The government has granted a one-day extension for the income tax return (ITR) filing deadline for the 2025-26 tax year, moving it to September 16, 2025. This decision comes in light of an unprecedented surge in ITR submissions, which surpassed 7.3 crore by September 15. Despite this record number, many taxpayers faced difficulties accessing the filing portal as the deadline approached.

Reason for the Extension

Initially, the ITR filing deadline was July 31, 2025, but it was extended to September 15 due to necessary updates to the ITR format earlier this year. As the September 15 cutoff loomed, various users reported issues with the e-filing portal, leading to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) deciding on a one-day extension to allow more time for submissions. To facilitate this, the portal was scheduled for maintenance from 12 AM to 2:30 AM on September 16.

The IRS reported that the uptick in filings followed multiple reminders sent to taxpayers. On September 15, they noted that over 7 trillion ITRs had been filed, emphasizing the need to file without further delay.

Portal Issues Reported by Taxpayers

During the final days leading up to the deadline, numerous individuals took to social media to discuss problems they encountered, particularly related to uploading returns and paying advance taxes. The department recognized the issues but clarified that they were not system-wide outages; instead, they were often linked to individual browser or device settings. Users were advised to follow instructions such as clearing their browser cache, using updated browsers, or switching to Incognito mode to resolve their problems.

What If You Miss the Deadline?

If you find yourself unable to submit your ITR by the September 16 deadline, you can still file your return by December 31, 2025. However, be aware that this will incur late fees according to Section 234F, which could range from Rs 1,000 for incomes up to Rs 5 lakh to Rs 5,000 for higher earnings. Additionally, delays might lead to increased interest liabilities on any unpaid tax amounts, which could also limit future financial maneuvering.