Published on: September 10, 2025 at 16:18
The buzz around the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline has once again gripped millions of taxpayers across India. For FY 2024-25, the government extended the due date for filing ITR (non-audit cases) to 15 September 2025, giving relief to salaried employees, small businesses, and freelancers who were struggling with the new utilities and portal glitches.
But as the deadline approaches, taxpayers are anxious — will there be another extension? Will the Finance Ministry give more time as it has done in the past during COVID and system upgrades? This year, the signals from the Finance Ministry and CBDT are very clear: further extension is highly unlikely.
The Current ITR Filing Deadline and What It Means for You
The last date for filing ITR-1 to ITR-4 (non-audit cases) has been pushed from 31 July to 15 September 2025. This was done due to late release of ITR forms, schema changes, and complaints about e-filing portal glitches.
However, the Finance Ministry recently issued a press note confirming that the government wants to close the compliance calendar on time this year. They believe taxpayers have already been given a reasonable window to file their returns.
If you fall under the audit case category (businesses with turnover exceeding the limit), your due date is 31 October 2025 — so this discussion mainly affects non-audit taxpayers.
Why It Matters
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Filing before 15 September ensures smooth processing and quicker refunds.
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Missing the deadline means ₹1,000–₹5,000 penalty under Section 234F.
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You may also face interest charges under Section 234A/B/C.
Why Professionals Wanted an Extension — And Why It’s Unlikely
Professional associations, including Tax Bar Associations, CA Associations, FKCCI, and even the BJP CA Cell, have urged the government to consider another extension. Their reasons include:
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Portal issues & glitches: Login errors, AIS/TIS mismatches, delayed processing.
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Festive season & short timelines: Ganesh Chaturthi and other festivals reducing working days.
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Late release of ITR utilities: Limited time to validate and upload returns.
Despite these concerns, the Finance Ministry seems determined to stick to the schedule. Officials have cited that:
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Most returns are already filed — data shows over 80% of expected ITRs are done.
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Better portal performance this year compared to previous years.
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Need to improve tax discipline by sticking to fixed due dates.
In short, while the demand for an extension is understandable, the probability of it happening is very low.
What If You Miss the Deadline — Your Options
If you miss the 15 September deadline, all is not lost — but it will cost you.
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You can still file a belated return till 31 December 2025, but you must pay the late fee and interest.
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If you expect a refund, it may get delayed.
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In some cases, losses cannot be carried forward if the return is filed late.
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Pro-Tip for Taxpayers
Start filing right away — avoid waiting until the last two days when the portal traffic peaks and technical errors multiply. Double-check your Form 26AS, AIS, and TIS to avoid mismatch notices later.
This year’s ITR filing season has been challenging, but the government seems determined to maintain a strict compliance calendar. With no official announcement of an extension beyond 15 September 2025, taxpayers should treat this as the final date and not gamble on a last-minute relief.
Personal Touch
As someone who files ITRs every year, I know the anxiety that comes with the deadline. In previous years, I too relied on last-minute extensions — but it only added stress. Last year, I filed early and got my refund within 10 days — a huge relief!
If you’re reading this, take this as a gentle nudge: open the income tax portal today, get your documents ready, and file your return. You’ll sleep better knowing it’s done — and you won’t have to refresh Twitter or news portals hoping for an extension announcement.