The due date for filing income tax returns (ITR) for audit cases for the assessment year 2025-26 is approaching fast.
Taxpayers whose accounts require audit—such as companies, proprietorships, and working partners in firms—must file their ITR for financial year 2024-25 by December 10, 2025.
Earlier, the deadline was October 31, 2025, but the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) extended it to help taxpayers avoid inconvenience.
The revised deadline for submitting audit reports is November 10, 2025.
Who Needs to File and By When
This extension applies to all assessees whose accounts are subject to audit under the Income Tax Act.
The key dates are:
Audit Report Submission: November 10, 2025
Income Tax Return Filing: December 10, 2025
CBDT stated that the extension is meant for taxpayers referred to under Section 139(1) of the Act who require an audit for the assessment year 2025-26.
Penalties for Missing the Deadline
Missing the extended deadline can attract penalties:
Section 271B: Penalty is 0.5% of total turnover, sales, or gross receipts, or Rs 1,50,000, whichever is lower.
Section 273B: Penalty may be waived if there is a reasonable cause, such as technical issues or unavoidable circumstances.
Experts warn that apart from monetary penalties, failing to file audit reports can trigger scrutiny from the Income Tax Department and impact a taxpayer’s credibility in financial and regulatory matters.
Key Takeaways
The extended deadlines give taxpayers extra time but should not be delayed further.
Ensure all audit reports are completed by November 10 to avoid penalties.
File ITR for FY 2024-25 by December 10, 2025 to stay compliant.
This simplified format makes it easy for readers to quickly understand the deadlines, penalties, and necessary actions.
