Tax professionals and associations have appealed for another extension to ITR filing, claiming that lakhs of employees would fail to file and verify the return due to technical hiccups and several changes in the portal.
There has been increasing speculation for the extension of deadline in the past few days beyond September 15, with appeals and pressures brought about by demands from chartered accountants, tax lobby groups, and even taxpayers themselves, citing various reasons for failure in filing the returns by lakhs of tax-paying citizens.
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The last date for filing the Income Tax Return (ITR) for the 2024-25 financial year (Assessment Year 2025-26) still remains September 15, 2025. The deadline was previously extended from the original July 31, 2025, date to give taxpayers more time in the wake of delays and system issues.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) formally extended the deadline for ITR filing from July 31 to September 15 earlier this year. The action followed several taxpayers and professionals experiencing hiccups due to delayed release of revised ITR utilities and inclusion of additional compliance requirements. The extension was intended to make the process smoother and lessen the burden on tax payers, given extra time to file returns without penalty. Even after the extension, taxpayers who fail to meet the deadline may still submit delayed returns until December 31, 2025, though subject to fines and interest on arrears.
A number of professional organisations, such as leading chartered accountant associations like the BJP CA Cell at Pune and the Bombay Chartered Accountants' Society, have formally petitioned the government for yet another extension. The primary grounds mentioned are recurring technical issues on the e-filing portal, system breakdowns during rush-hour filing, lag in processing income tax information, and slippage in making Form 26AS and other key financial reports available. Numerous taxpayers and professionals complain that the condensed timeline, particularly with updates being released late in the filing season, is unfair.
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Additionally, outside forces like floods and electricity outages in some states have affected the ability of others to file on time. A number of tax officials and experts and industry observers have raised these concerns, noting that hastening the filing process may lead to mistakes, higher probabilities of litigation, and added bureaucratic burdens.
While pressure builds, the CBDT and government have thus far maintained caution, declining to make any formal announcement of any extension of the current deadline. The government position looks to strike a balance between enforcement of timely tax payment on one hand and being sensitive towards bonafide taxpayer challenges on the other. The Income Tax Department has upgraded its portal infrastructure, issued several clarifications, and launched support campaigns to help taxpayers file in time.
Tax experts urge taxpayers to make the most of the remaining days, avoid last-minute panic submissions, and keep the requisite records accurate to avoid errors. Failing to meet the extended deadline can see penalties up to ₹5,000 and long-term interest charges, hence timely submission is advisable even in times of uncertainty.
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September 15, 2025, is still the accepted deadline for filing ITRs for most taxpayers without incurring a penalty, but such universal demands for an extension indicate continued issues with the system and filing process. The government still has not made any further extension announcements. Taxpayers and practitioners need to remain alert to any possible updates and take care in planning their filings in order to fulfil the existing deadline and prevent late filing penalties. The evolving environment puts a toll on ongoing improvements in tax administration and mechanisms for supporting taxpayers to assist in creating a smoother compliance environment in the ensuing years.
