Income Tax Return Deadline Extended by One Day: All You Need to Know

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by

Himanshu
in , ,

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is one of the most important financial responsibilities for every taxpayer in India. In a recent update, the government has extended the ITR filing deadline for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26 by one more day, offering some extra time to those who were struggling with last-minute filings. Let’s break down what this extension means, who it applies to, and what taxpayers need to be aware of.

Why the Deadline Was Extended

The original extended due date for filing ITR for non-audit cases was 15 September 2025. However, due to heavy traffic on the income tax e-filing portal and complaints about technical glitches, the government decided to extend the deadline by one day, making the new due date 16 September 2025 (Tuesday).

This move is a relief for lakhs of taxpayers who were under pressure to file their returns on the last day. By 15 September, more than 7.3 crore ITRs had already been filed, exceeding the figures from last year.

New Due Dates for AY 2025-26

To avoid confusion, here is a clear breakdown of the revised deadlines for different categories of taxpayers:

CategoryApplicable ToDue Date
Individuals / HUFs / Others (Non-Audit Cases)Salaried employees, small taxpayers without audit requirement16 September 2025
Businesses / Professionals (Audit Cases)Entities requiring audit under Section 44AB31 October 2025
Transfer Pricing CasesTaxpayers with international or specified domestic transactions30 November 2025
Belated or Revised ReturnsTaxpayers filing after due date or correcting mistakes31 December 2025

Who Should Be Extra Careful

  1. Salaried Individuals:
    Most salaried taxpayers file ITR-1 or ITR-2. If you have only salary income, one house property, and income up to ₹50 lakh, you can file ITR-1. But if you have multiple house properties or capital gains, you need ITR-2.
  2. Taxpayers with Foreign Assets or Income:
    Anyone holding foreign bank accounts, shares, or property must disclose these under Schedule FA in ITR-2 or ITR-3. Non-disclosure can lead to strict penalties.
  3. Business Owners & Professionals:
    If your accounts require auditing, your deadline remains 31 October 2025. Don’t confuse this with the non-audit due date extension.

Penalties for Missing the Deadline

Even though the government has offered a one-day relaxation, missing the new deadline can lead to penalties and loss of benefits.

  • Late Fee (under Section 234F):
    • ₹1,000 if income ≤ ₹5,00,000
    • ₹5,000 if income > ₹5,00,000
  • Interest (under Sections 234A, 234B, 234C):
    Interest will be charged on unpaid taxes from the original due date until filing.
  • Loss of Benefits:
    • Cannot carry forward certain losses (like capital losses).
    • Limited options for revising tax regimes later.

Portal Maintenance Notice

The Income Tax Department has also announced scheduled maintenance on the e-filing portal from 12:00 AM to 2:30 AM on 16 September 2025. Taxpayers are advised not to wait until the last minute to avoid system downtime.

Key Takeaways

  • Final due date for most individuals (non-audit): 16 September 2025
  • Audit cases deadline: 31 October 2025
  • Transfer pricing deadline: 30 November 2025
  • Belated / Revised return deadline: 31 December 2025

If you haven’t filed your ITR yet, this extension is a golden opportunity. Don’t wait until the last minute—log in to the portal, verify your Form 26AS and AIS data, and file accurately.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Taxpayers should consult a qualified tax advisor or financial consultant for guidance specific to their individual situation. The government may issue further clarifications, and readers are encouraged to check the official income tax portal for the latest updates.