The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has officially extended the last date to file Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for non-audit cases—including salaried individuals—for the Assessment Year 2025–26.
The new deadline is September 15, 2025, giving taxpayers an extra 45 days beyond the usual July 31 cutoff.
Why the Deadline Was Extended
The extension was announced due to several ongoing issues:
Delay in the release of updated ITR forms and tools on the Income Tax portal
Late availability of TDS details in Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS)
Technical glitches making it hard to file returns correctly and on time
Self-Assessment Tax: Deadline Not Extended
Although the ITR filing deadline has moved, the payment of self-assessment tax still needs to be done by July 31, 2025.
If not paid on time, you could face interest under Section 234A, which may increase your overall tax liability. This is especially important if you owe taxes beyond what has been deducted through TDS.
Refund Interest: A Small Bonus for Some
There’s also a bit of good news. Under Section 244A, if you’re due for a tax refund, you’ll still earn interest from April 1, even if you file later.
This could lead to about a 33% increase in interest received on refunds. However, remember that this interest is taxable and needs to be reported in your ITR.
Penalties for Late Filing and Other Key Dates
Missing the September 15 deadline will lead to penalties:
Rs 5,000 if your income is above Rs 5 lakh
Rs 1,000 for income below Rs 5 lakh (as per Section 234F)
Even after the deadline, you can still:
File belated or revised returns up to December 31, 2025
Submit an updated return (ITR-U) by March 31, 2030
Why You Should File Early
Experts recommend filing your return early, even with the extension. Waiting until the last minute can lead to:
Slow or crashed servers on the e-filing site
Errors in TDS or AIS data
Missed payments that result in interest or penalties
Filing early ensures faster refunds and fewer hassles.
Final Thoughts
The deadline extension offers some relief, but it’s important to stay alert. Make sure to pay any taxes due by July 31, check your Form 26AS and AIS carefully, and try to file well before September 15 to avoid stress, interest charges, and penalties.
