ITR Filing Deadline Extended to September 15

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th July: In a major relief to taxpayers, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26 from July 31 to September 15, ensuring smoother compliance amid rising online traffic. The extension offers additional time to file returns without attracting interest under Section 234A, provided self-assessment taxes are paid before the new due date.

The Income Tax Department has activated Excel utilities for ITR-1 to ITR-4 and enabled online filing for ITR-1 and ITR-4, easing the process for both salaried individuals and business owners.

Online ITR Filing: Quick Guide

1. Log in at incometax.gov.in using PAN credentials.
2. Go to ‘e-File’ → ‘Income Tax Returns’ → ‘File Income Tax Return’.
3. Select AY 2025-26, choose online mode and continue.
4. Choose status: Individual, HUF, or Others.
5. Pick the right ITR form:
   • ITR-1: Salary income below ₹50 lakh
   • ITR-2: Capital gains and complex income
   • ITR-4: Presumptive business/professional income
6. State your reason for filing – e.g., income above exemption limit.
7. Review pre-filled details from Form 16, 26AS, and validate entries.
8. Pay any tax dues, review and submit the return.
9. E-verify via Aadhaar OTP, Net banking, EVC, or ITR-V.

Offline ITR Filing Using JSON Utility

1. Download the utility from the portal’s “Downloads” section.
2. Launch utility, click ‘File Return’.
3. Download pre-filled data, log in, and proceed.
4. Enter details, verify income, deductions, and tax liability.
5. Validate, download JSON file, and upload it to the portal.
6. Complete e-verification within 30 days.

Why Timely Filing Matters

Filing ITR on time not only avoids penalties but also facilitates faster loan approvals, credit card issuance, visa applications, and ensures refunds are not delayed. With over 6 crore expected filers this year, early compliance is strongly advised.

The department also urges taxpayers to cross-check all data with AIS/TIS reports and Form 26AS to avoid mismatches and scrutiny.

Stay compliant and leverage the extended deadline—September 15 is your new ITR date for AY 2025–26.