ITR Filing Deadline Extended: Taxpayers Get Final Chance to File Returns Without Penalty

The deadline to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) for Assessment Year 2025–26 has been extended by one more day, offering relief to thousands of taxpayers who were struggling with technical glitches on the e-filing portal. Initially set for 15 September 2025, the Income Tax Department announced late at night that the deadline had been pushed to 16 September 2025, giving individuals one final opportunity to submit their returns without incurring penalties.

Last-Minute Announcement from the Income Tax Department

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) confirmed the extension through a post on X (formerly Twitter). Interestingly, this announcement was made just 12 minutes before the earlier deadline of midnight on 15 September was about to expire. The department clarified that the portal had undergone scheduled maintenance from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m., which temporarily halted e-filing services.

This last-minute decision came after three consecutive days of complaints from taxpayers and chartered accountants, who reported repeated issues with slow portal speed, delays in updating Annual Information Statements (AIS), and the late release of ITR utilities.

Social Media Pressure and Trending Hashtag

On 15 September itself, the hashtag #duedateextension trended throughout the day on social media platform X. Taxpayers, professionals, and industry associations voiced their frustration and strongly demanded an extension of the filing deadline. The government ultimately responded by offering an extra day, ensuring that genuine taxpayers would not face penalties due to technical barriers beyond their control.

Why Filing ITR Is Mandatory

Even if your income is not taxable, certain categories of individuals are still required to file returns. According to income tax rules:

• For individuals below 60 years, filing is mandatory if annual income exceeds ₹2.5 lakh.

• For senior citizens between 60 and 80 years, the threshold is ₹3 lakh.

• For super senior citizens above 80 years, the exemption limit goes up to ₹5 lakh.

This rule means that lakhs of salaried individuals and professionals cannot ignore filing, even if their actual tax liability is zero.

Consequences of Missing the Deadline

Those who fail to file by 16 September 2025 will still be able to submit their ITRs until 31 December 2025. However, late filing attracts significant consequences:

• A penalty of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, depending on income level.

• Loss of certain benefits, such as carrying forward losses for future tax adjustments.

• Additional scrutiny from the Income Tax Department in some cases.

For these reasons, taxpayers are being strongly urged to complete their filing before the extended deadline expires.

Extended Timeline: A Recap

• The original deadline was 31 July 2025, as is standard every year.

• It was first extended to 15 September 2025.

• Following technical glitches and repeated requests, it has now been extended once more to 16 September 2025.

This marks the second extension granted for Assessment Year 2025–26. Experts suggest this may be the final one, as the department has already provided additional time.

A Crucial Reminder for Taxpayers

The Income Tax Department’s decision provides a valuable grace period for those who have not yet completed their filing. However, taxpayers must not delay any further, as failing to meet the 16 September deadline will lead to penalties and additional complications.

With just one extra day provided, this is truly the last chance to file ITR without penalty. Tax experts advise taxpayers to avoid waiting until the final hours, as the portal may experience heavy traffic on the last day. Submitting returns earlier in the day will help ensure smoother filing and confirmation.