The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has clarified that the due date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the financial year 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26) will not be extended beyond September 15, 2025. This comes after fake messages circulated online claiming that the deadline had been pushed to September 30.
In a statement on its official handle on X (formerly Twitter), the Income Tax Department dismissed the rumors, reiterating:
“A fake news is in circulation stating that the due date of filing ITRs (originally due on 31.07.2025, and extended to 15.09.2025) has been further extended to 30.09.2025. The due date for filing ITRs remains 15.09.2025.”
Record Filing Numbers Ahead of Deadline
As of today—the last date for non-audit taxpayers—6.69 crore ITRs have been filed, with 6.03 crore already verified. Verification is a critical step, as an ITR is treated as valid only after it is confirmed electronically via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or physically through ITR-V submission.
The department has already processed 4 crore verified returns, enabling timely refunds and adjustments. The e-filing portal now has over 13.43 crore registered individual users, reflecting India’s steady growth in digital tax compliance. Last year, 7.28 crore returns were filed—a 7.5% increase over the previous year—with 58 lakh first-time filers joining the system.
Why Timely Filing Matters
Filing an ITR is a statutory requirement under the Income Tax Act, allowing taxpayers to:
- Declare income and taxes paid
- Claim refunds
- Use ITRs as financial records for loans, visas, and contracts
For non-audit cases—including salaried individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and small businesses or professionals under the presumptive taxation scheme—the September 15 deadline is critical.
Consequences of Missing the Deadline
- Late fee: Up to ₹5,000 (capped at ₹1,000 if total income ≤ ₹5 lakh)
- Interest: 1% per month on pending tax dues
- Restrictions: Inability to carry forward certain losses
Support for Last-Minute Filers
To assist taxpayers, the Income Tax helpdesk is operational 24×7 via phone calls, live chat, WebEx sessions, and social media channels.
The ITR filing deadline for AY 2025–26 ends today, September 15, 2025. Taxpayers should ignore fake news about extensions and complete filing and verification promptly to avoid penalties.
Source #CNBC TV-18
