PTI, NEW DELHI, MAY 27, 2025 : The Income Tax department on Tuesday extended the due date for filing ITRs for Assessment Year 2025-26 by individuals and entities who do not have to get their accounts audited to September 15. The extension from the current deadline of July 31 was on account of “structural and content revisions” in the income tax return (ITR) forms, which were notified in late April and early May. The changes made in the ITR form for AY 2025-26 also need modifications to be made in return filing utilities and the back-end system.
“To facilitate a smooth and convenient filing experience for taxpayers, it has been decided that the due date for filing ITR, originally due on July 31, is extended to September 15, 2025,” the CBDT said. The extension applies to individuals, HUFs, and entities who do not need to get their accounts audited. They can now file their tax return for income earned in the 2024-25 (April-March) fiscal by September 15.
In a statement, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said the extension was necessitated to prepare Income Tax systems to incorporate changes in ITR forms and roll out the utilities. The notified ITRs for AY 2025-26 have “undergone structural and content revisions” aimed at simplifying compliance, enhancing transparency, and enabling accurate reporting. These changes have necessitated additional time for system development, integration, and testing of the corresponding utilities, it added.
Furthermore, credits arising from TDS statements, due for filing by May 31, are expected to begin reflecting in early June, limiting the effective window for return filing in the absence of such an extension, the statement said.
EY India Partner and National Leader, People Advisory Services-Tax, Sonu Iyer said, “The ITR forms notified for the FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) incorporate the amendments introduced by the Finance Act 2024 and have enhanced reporting requirements relating to deductions being claimed, the requirement to report TDS section codes, provide the bifurcation of capital gains for pre- and post-July 23, 2024, etc.” Finance Act 2024 has rationalized capital gains taxation on specific transactions on or after July 23, 2024.
“Given the requirements of these new ITR forms, the e-filing utility (both online and offline) needs to be updated by the government. Therefore, it is a very welcome move from the government to extend the ITR filing deadline, allowing taxpayers the time required to comply with these enhanced reporting requirements and legislative changes,” Iyer said.
AKM Global Partner-Tax Sandeep Sehgal said, “This extension comes against the backdrop of some significant structural changes introduced in the ITR forms this year, which have delayed the release of the corresponding return preparation utilities—typically made available in early April in earlier years.”
“Given the complexity and increased reporting requirements in the revised ITR forms, including more granular disclosures of capital gains, foreign income, and asset ownership, the extension offers much-needed relief to taxpayers.”
The government, on April 29, notified the income tax return forms 1 and 4, filed by individuals, HUFs, and entities with total income up to Rs 50 lakh a year and who do not have to get their accounts audited. Now, entities with long-term capital gains of up to Rs 1.25 lakh from listed equities can show such income in ITR 1 and 4. Earlier, they were required to file ITR-2.
The government has also made certain changes in the form with regard to deductions claimed under 80C, 80GG, and other sections and has provided a drop-down menu in the utility for tax filers to select from. Also, assessees will have to furnish in the ITR section-wise details with regard to TDS deductions.
