Income Tax Due Date Extended for AY 2025–26 – Here’s What You Should Know!

The Income Tax Department of India has recently announced an extension of the due date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the Assessment Year (AY) 2025–26. This move comes as a relief to many individual taxpayers and professionals who were facing challenges in meeting the original deadlines due to systemic delays and documentation issues.

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📅 What is the Extended Due Date for AY 2025–26?

The new due date for filing ITR for non-audit cases (such as salaried individuals and small businesses not requiring audit) is now 15 September 2025, extended from the usual July 31 deadline. For tax audit cases, the due date is also expected to be extended accordingly.

💡 Why Was the Due Date Extended?

Several key reasons have contributed to this year’s extension:

1. Delayed Availability of ITR Filing Utilities

Although the ITR forms were notified by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in April 2025, the e-filing utilities and online filing mechanisms were not made available promptly on the Income Tax portal, leading to practical delays in return preparation and submission.

2. Pending Form 16 and TDS Certificates

Employers are required to issue Form 16 (TDS certificate for salaried employees) by June 15. Without this, salaried individuals cannot accurately file their returns. Similarly, Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS) data syncing is often delayed till mid-June.

3. Recent Changes in ITR Forms

ITR forms for AY 2025–26 include new disclosures and reporting requirements based on the latest finance amendments. This has required both tax professionals and software developers to take extra time in updating their systems and compliance checks.

4. Systemic Glitches and Technical Issues

Users have reported intermittent issues on the Income Tax e-filing portal, including failed validations, data mismatches, and access errors — further justifying the extension.

🔍 Who Benefits from the Extension?

Salaried individuals
Freelancers and small business owners
Senior citizens filing manually
Tax professionals who handle bulk filings
Entities requiring audit (expected to receive proportionate relief)

This extension gives breathing room to both taxpayers and professionals, ensuring accurate, stress-free filing and avoiding penalties.

✅ What Should You Do Now?

Collect All Required Documents – TDS Certificates, bank statements, investment proofs, etc.
Cross-check Form 26AS and AIS – Ensure all your income sources and taxes deducted are correctly reflected.
Consult a Tax Professional – Especially if your return is complex or involves foreign income, capital gains, or presumptive business income.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute – Use the extension period wisely to file on time and avoid rush or errors.