New Delhi
The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2025-26 is today (September 15), and the Income Tax Department announced that over six crore returns have already been submitted. The original deadline of July 31 was extended after tax professionals reported multiple technical glitches on the e-filing portal, including errors in downloading AIS and TDS forms, mismatched data, and delays in new ICAI reporting formats.
Despite the extension, tax experts say challenges persist. The Indian Taxation Advocates Association has requested another extension until December 31, citing technical issues and disruptions caused by heavy rains in northern and northeastern states. The association noted that many users continue to face slow portal access and difficulties uploading documents.
The department, through its official X account, has been urging taxpayers to file early instead of waiting until the last day. Informative videos and advisories have been circulated highlighting the benefits of timely filing. In recent years, the number of ITR filings has steadily increased, with 7.28 crore filed in 2024-25 and 6.77 crore in 2023-24.
Officials reminded taxpayers that missing the September 15 deadline attracts penalties under Section 234F. Individuals with incomes above Rs 5 lakh may face a fine of Rs 5,000, while those below the taxable threshold will not be penalized. However, delayed filing can still result in the loss of carry-forward benefits and slow refund processing.
To file an ITR, taxpayers must select the correct form based on their income and choose between the old and new tax regimes. Authorities emphasized that timely filing ensures smoother processing and faster refunds.