By the end of March 31, 2025, a total of 9.19 crore income tax returns were filed in India for the financial year 2024-25. Out of these, 8.64 crore returns have been e-verified.
Refunds amounting to ₹4,35,008 crore have already been issued for the verified returns. As per the details available on the Income Tax Department’s portal, a total of 88.58 lakh returns were filed from Gujarat.
In comparison, 1.39 crore returns were filed in Maharashtra, 44.66 lakh in Delhi, 53.62 lakh in Karnataka, 59.77 lakh in Rajasthan, 91.38 lakh in Uttar Pradesh, 44.26 lakh in Punjab, and 57.27 lakh in Tamil Nadu.
Comparing the number of returns filed over the last three years shows a steady increase. In 2023, 7.78 crore returns were filed; in 2024, it rose to 8.52 crore; and in 2025, it reached 9.19 crore, showing a consistent growth. From 2023 to 2024, there was a 7% increase, while from 2024 to 2025, the increase was 8%.
The highest number of returns were filed by individuals with an annual income below ₹5 lakh — totalling 4.19 crore. Those earning between ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh filed around 3.4 crore returns. Taxpayers with incomes between ₹10 lakh and ₹50 lakh numbered 1.34 crore.
According to tax experts, one reason for the rise in return filings is the increase in people’s incomes. Others believe that advancements in technology have made filing returns easier than before, contributing to the increase.
Another factor is that banks and financial institutions often require income tax returns for the past three years while processing loans — motivating homebuyers to file returns. Additionally, the growing number of retail investors in the stock market is also contributing to the rise in return filings.
There are 3.24 lakh taxpayers with an annual income of over ₹1 crore. Of them, 2.97 lakh declared incomes between ₹1 crore and ₹5 crore. Taxpayers earning between ₹5 crore and ₹10 crore number 16,797. Those with annual incomes above ₹10 crore total 10,184.
