Taxpayers have until September 15, 2025, to file their ITR for FY 2024–25, following the extension announced earlier this year by the CBDT. With the final date approaching, this is the last chance to avoid penalties and stay compliant.
This year, taxpayers got a little breathing room, as the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) extended the deadline for Individuals to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) for FY 2024-25. If you have not filed your Income Tax Return yet, you still have time until September 15, 2025, to file, as the deadline for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) was extended earlier this year.
This deadline only applies to you if you are an individual taxpayer, salaried employee, NRI, pensioner, and HUF with accounts which are not subject to audit.
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Deadlines for Different Taxpayers
Why Filing Before September 15 Is Crucial
It is important to file your Income Tax Return before the September 15 deadline for multiple reasons. Firstly, to avoid penalties under the section 234F, with a penalty of ₹5,000. Additionally you will incur interest penalties under the section 234A, 234B and 234C, and if you file late, you would be liable for penalties for any unpaid tax. Secondly, when you file on time, you will receive your refund sooner (purely for your cash flow, this may be an advantage if you are sure you qualify for a refund). Beyond compliance, a timely ITR is an important financial document when applying for loans, visas, and any government services. Finally, if you file early, you will avoid the last-minute technical glitches, as the e-filing portal often experiences heavy traffic close to the deadline.
To avoid last-minute stress, taxpayers should:
• Gather documents such as Form 16, TDS certificates, bank interest statements, capital gains reports, and investment proofs.
• Cross-check income and tax records with Form 26AS and AIS.
• Pay any pending self-assessment tax.
• File using the updated utilities on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal.
What If You Miss September 15?
If you miss the September 15 deadline, you can still file a belated return by December 31, 2025. However, this comes with penalties, delayed refunds, and restrictions on carrying forward certain losses.
Why the Deadline Was Extended
Earlier in 2025, the CBDT announced the extension in order to lessen the compliance burden on taxpayers. Various updated ITR forms and filing utilities were introduced and getting these systems integrated and tested would take time. The extension was also meant to provide relief to individuals and professionals who had delays in preparing their financial information.
