The last date for filing Income Tax Return (ITR) is coming very close, and taxpayers are worried about whether the deadline will be extended or not. For the Assessment Year 2025-26, the final date is 15th September, and now only a few days are left. This has created both tension and curiosity among people, but till now the government has not made any official announcement about extending the date.
So far, more than 6 crore people have already filed their returns. Still, many professional groups and associations have requested the government to extend the deadline. They have explained reasons like technical problems in the income tax portal, delay in release of ITR forms, flood situations in some parts of the country, and the ongoing festival season.
Why this delay is being discussed
This year, the main reason for the problem was the late release of ITR forms. In the interim budget, changes were made in the capital gains tax structure, so the forms had to be corrected. Because of this delay, the last date for non-audit taxpayers was already extended from 31st July to 15th September. Now again people are asking for more time, but the government has not yet given any positive response.
Role of professional associations
Big organizations like the Karnataka State Chartered Accountants Association, ICAI Central India Regional Council, and Advocates Tax Bar Association have officially requested the CBDT to extend the date. They said it is very difficult for everyone to complete filing within such a short time.
Who does this date apply to
The deadline of 15th September is mainly for taxpayers who do not need an audit of their accounts. This includes salaried employees, pensioners, and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). For businesses or professionals whose accounts need audit, the dates are different. Their audit report must be submitted by 30th September, and ITR filing can be done till 31st October.
What happens if you file late
If you do not file your return within the fixed date, you may have to pay a fine of up to ₹5,000. For people whose income is less than ₹5 lakh, the fine is ₹1,000. Apart from the fine, there are other disadvantages also. For example, you cannot carry forward your losses to the next year, and your refund will also get delayed.
Advice for taxpayers
The Income Tax Department has already advised taxpayers not to wait till the last moment. Their helpline is open 24/7 to solve problems and give support. So it is better to file your return as early as possible to avoid penalty and stress.
This blog has been written to provide simple information for readers. The mentioned dates and rules depend on the official notifications of the government and the Income Tax Department. Before making any final decision, please check the latest updates from official sources.