New Delhi — The due date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for Assessment Year 2025-26 (Financial Year 2024-25) has been extended by one day — from Monday, September 15 to Tuesday, September 16, 2025 — to accommodate taxpayers struggling with technical issues.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued the extension late Monday, citing massive traffic on the official ITR e-filing portal and several complaints of glitches that prevented users from submitting returns smoothly. Among the problems reported were login failures, tool malfunctions, and delayed utility updates.
Earlier in the year, the deadline had already been moved from the original date of July 31 to September 15 to allow time for taxpayers to adapt to revisions in ITR forms and system utilities. The latest extension is intended as a final buffer to ease the process for those still facing digital obstacles.
Despite the extension, users continue to report issues. Even after portal maintenance scheduled between midnight and 2:30 a.m., some taxpayers have said they’re still unable to upload returns or complete the e-verification process. Many accessed the site only to find error messages or tools not functioning.
As of September 15, over 7.3 crore ITRs had been filed, surpassing the count from the same period last year. A significant portion of those returns have also been e-verified.
The CBDT’s announcement urges users to complete filings and verifications by today, the extended deadline, to avoid penalties. Filing after September 16 will incur late fee charges under Section 234F — ₹5,000 for individuals with income above ₹5 lakh and ₹1,000 for those with income up to ₹5 lakh. Additionally, late filing may result in loss of certain benefits, such as carrying forward losses under specific sections and the option to choose between tax regimes.
Tax professionals and chartered accountants had called for an extension amid widespread reports that the portal was down or difficult to navigate. Many welcomed the additional time but also expressed frustration that the extension came late in the day.
Citizens are advised to use the extension wisely — check prefilled data, verify all income and deduction entries, and complete e-verification immediately. The CBDT emphasized that this is likely the last extension, underscoring the importance of meeting today’s deadline.