Summary of this article
The income tax return (ITR) filing deadline for AY 2025–26 is set for 15 September 2025, with nearly 3 crore returns still pending.
Taxpayers demand another extension due to portal glitches and delays, but the government remains silent.
The ITR filing deadline is here. The income tax return (ITR) filing deadline for Assessment Year 2025–26, which corresponds to Financial Year 2024–25, has been marked as September 15 2025. That is the date etched in the calendar, and as it stands, millions of taxpayers are racing against time. The question burning through professional circles and household conversations alike is blunt: Will the government extend the date again, or is this the absolute last call?
As of now, nearly three crore returns are still pending, with only six days to go. Anyone who has struggled with the income tax portal in recent weeks knows why panic is mounting. The official systems have been inconsistent, refund status checks have failed, and processing delays have frustrated filers. Chartered accountants argue that these obstacles are not minor inconveniences but genuine barriers, especially for those with complex filings.
Why the Call for Extension Has Intensified
The original deadline was July 31 2025. That timeline was already disrupted when the Income Tax Department announced an extension in May, pushing the date forward to September 15. The stated reasons were practical: the release of updated ITR forms had been delayed, utilities for filing were not fully functional, and the department itself admitted it needed operational preparedness. That was the official justification, and it was accepted.
The government has not made any official statement confirming a further extension. Silence, at this stage, carries its own weight. On one hand, the Income Tax Department claims that over five crore ITRs have been filed, implying that compliance is broadly on track. On the other, it is undeniable that a massive chunk around 3 crore remains in limbo.
For taxpayers, the gamble is risky. If the government decides not to budge, missing the September 15 deadline comes with clear penalties. Under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act, a late filer can be fined up to Rs 5,000, with some exceptions for those whose income is below a threshold. However, the financial penalty is not the only concern. Refunds also get delayed, and interest calculations may add to the burden.
