Income Tax Return Deadline Extension 2025 : As the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26 approaches, millions of taxpayers across India are anxiously waiting for clarity. The Income Tax Return Deadline Extension 2025 has become one of the most discussed topics in financial circles, with taxpayers, chartered accountants, and experts debating whether the government will provide another extension beyond September 15, 2025.
Earlier this year, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) extended the due date from July 31, 2025 to September 15, 2025, citing delays in updated ITR forms, utilities, and system preparedness. However, with the extended deadline now only a few days away, uncertainty looms large.
Why Taxpayers Are Demanding an Extension in 2025
Several reasons have led to strong demands for the government to announce another Income Tax Return Deadline Extension 2025:
- Portal Glitches – Despite multiple improvements, the income tax e-filing portal continues to face heavy traffic and technical glitches, especially during the last few days of the filing season. Taxpayers report issues like failed logins, OTP delays, and server timeouts.
- Refund Status Delays – Many taxpayers are concerned that last-minute filings could lead to mistakes and further delay refunds. Chartered accountants warn that hurried submissions may create compliance issues.
- Workload for Professionals – Chartered accountants and tax consultants are overwhelmed by the sudden rush of clients, many of whom procrastinate until the final week. The professional community has been vocal about seeking relief in the form of extended deadlines.
- Previous Precedents – In past years, the government has often extended deadlines to ease compliance pressure. This creates hope among taxpayers that the same will happen in 2025.
Current Situation: Over 5.3 Crore Returns Filed So Far
According to the latest government data, as of September 10, 2025, over 5.30 crore income tax returns have already been filed. While this number reflects strong compliance, experts highlight that the target is around 8 crore returns for AY 2025-26.
This means nearly 2.7 crore more returns must be filed within the next 5 days, averaging 54 lakh returns per day. However, the current daily filing rate stands at only 16–19 lakh returns, which raises concerns about whether the system can handle the surge.
Penalties for Missing the ITR Deadline
One of the biggest worries for taxpayers is the penalty associated with missing the last date. If the Income Tax Return Deadline Extension 2025 does not happen, the following rules will apply:
- A fine under Section 234F may be imposed, which can range from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 depending on taxable income.
- Interest under Section 234A may also be levied for late filing.
- Refund claims may be delayed or even lost if the return is filed after the deadline.
- In some cases, taxpayers may lose the ability to carry forward losses to future years.
For these reasons, experts strongly advise taxpayers not to wait for an official extension announcement and instead complete their filing at the earliest.
Government’s Position: Will There Be Another Extension?
As of now, the government has not made any official statement regarding another ITR deadline extension in 2025. Many tax experts believe that since the CBDT already provided 46 extra days by extending the deadline from July 31 to September 15, a further extension seems unlikely.
They also point out that more than 5 crore returns have been successfully filed, which indicates that compliance levels are on track compared to previous years. This may reduce the government’s willingness to extend the deadline again.
However, taxpayer organizations and industry groups continue to push for more time, arguing that the last-minute rush could create chaos both for taxpayers and the tax department’s servers.
The Fear of Missing Out: Taxpayer Concerns
With just a few days left for the deadline, millions of taxpayers are facing anxiety over missing the due date. Their major concerns include:
- Portal Slowdowns: The e-filing system tends to slow down under heavy traffic, creating login failures and OTP delays.
- Refund Delays: Filing at the last moment increases the risk of mistakes, which may lead to delayed refunds.
- Professional Overload: Tax consultants are handling a massive workload, leading to delays in return preparation.
- Penalty Worries: Section 234F fines are creating nervousness among taxpayers who fear missing the deadline.
The situation is similar to previous years, but the scale is larger this time due to the huge number of pending returns.
Why You Should Not Wait for an Extension
Even though there is a possibility of an Income Tax Return Deadline Extension 2025, experts advise against waiting. Here are a few reasons why:
- No Guarantee of Extension – The government has not made any official announcement yet. Relying on speculation could result in penalties.
- Avoid Last-Minute Errors – Rushing through your ITR at the last moment increases the chances of mistakes.
- Faster Refund Processing – Early filers generally receive quicker refunds compared to late filers.
- System Overload Risk – The closer to the deadline you file, the more chances you’ll face portal slowdowns.
In short, completing your ITR filing as soon as possible is the safest option.
Technical Challenges on the E-Filing Portal
The e-filing portal has improved over the years, but users still face problems when traffic peaks. The most common issues reported by taxpayers in 2025 include:
- Login sessions expiring too quickly.
- Delayed or failed OTPs during Aadhaar-based authentication.
- Upload failures during form submission.
- Payment gateway glitches during tax payment.
The Income Tax Department has already urged taxpayers not to wait until the last day. But given the huge number of pending returns, system overload seems inevitable.
Experts Divided: Will Deadline Be Extended?
Tax experts are divided on whether another Income Tax Return Deadline Extension 2025 will be announced.
- Extension Likely: Some experts argue that with more than 2.7 crore returns pending in just 5 days, the pressure on the system is too high. Extending the deadline could ease both taxpayer burden and portal overload.
- Extension Unlikely: Others believe that since compliance numbers are already strong and the government has provided an earlier extension, a second one may not come. The tax department may want to stick to discipline and avoid creating a precedent of multiple extensions.
This uncertainty is fueling anxiety among taxpayers, many of whom are still undecided about whether to wait or file immediately.
The Road Ahead: What Should Taxpayers Do?
Until the government makes an official announcement, taxpayers must assume that September 15, 2025 is the final deadline. Here are some steps to take immediately:
- Gather Your Documents – Keep Form 16, Form 26AS, AIS, and other financial records ready.
- Avoid Last-Minute Filing – File now to avoid technical errors and penalty risks.
- Consult Professionals Early – If you need a CA, reach out immediately before they are overloaded.
- Track Refund Status – After filing, monitor your refund processing through the income tax portal.
Also read: GST Collection in August 2025 Reaches ₹1.86 Lakh Crore, Records 6.5% Annual Growth
Conclusion
The Income Tax Return Deadline Extension 2025 has become one of the most debated issues of this filing season. With 5.3 crore returns filed and millions still pending, taxpayers are hoping for relief. However, the government has yet to signal whether another extension will be granted.
Experts recommend that taxpayers should not wait for an official announcement. Missing the deadline could invite penalties, interest, and refund delays. The safest course of action is to file your ITR as soon as possible, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Whether or not the government decides to extend the date, the key takeaway is clear: proactive filing is always better than last-minute panic.
