The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the assessment year 2025-26. A sense of relief has been spread among millions of taxpayers across India. The decision was made due to the delay in issuing the notification of income tax return forms. Additionally, the income tax department is yet to issue the utilities to file the income tax.
The announcement made through an official notification reflects the government’s response to practical difficulties faced by taxpayers and professionals as well. The information disseminated via a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) is one of the reasons to grab the attention of taxpayers easily. But what will be the impact and what does it mean for salaried individuals? This article delves into details of extensions and their impact with brief information.
The Reasons Behind Deadline Extension
Each and every year the due date for filing ITRs for non-audit cases—especially for salaried and small businesses—is July 31. However, multiple things led to delays in the ITR deadline.
1. Technical Glitches on the Income Tax Portal
As per the users, the income tax portal is showing technical glitches. Regardless of the improvements made by the government in the new income tax portal, different technical issues are affecting users. The issues include errors in pre-filled data, slow processing, and problems related to Adhaar-PAN linking and verification.
2. Delays in Form 16 Issuance
The employers are required to issue Form 16 to their employees by June 15. But there are many companies that face internal delays, leaving salaried individuals with very little time to file their ITRs. Therefore, the delay in the ITR deadline is also an opportunity for salaried individuals to manage their monthly balance.
3. Pending Updates in AIS and TIS
For taxpayers, the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS) are the important documents. And the delays and discrepancies in these documents have caused confusion, prompting the need for more time.
4. Request from Professional Bodies
When it comes to tax payment, accuracy is essential because these documents help in several fields, like claiming refunds, avoiding penalties, applying for personal loans, proving income, and more. Therefore, the group of tax practitioners had requested the Finance Ministry to extend the deadline, citing workload pressures and the need for more accurate filing.
Benefits and Implications of the Extension
The ITR extension issued by CBDT from 31st July 2025 to 15th September 2025 applies primarily to different individuals. To clarify, this 45-day extension gives benefit to salaried individuals, self-employed professionals, small businesses not requiring audit, and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs). Taxpayers falling under this category now have time until September 15, 2025, to file ITRs without facing penalties. The implications of the extension provide many other benefits, like.
- With additional time, the taxpayers have a better opportunity to cross-check Form 26AS, TIS, AIS, and Form 16.
- There is no more hurry for taxpayers, which allows them to manage client workload more effectively, ensuring better compliance and fewer errors.
- With the added number of days in filing ITR comes higher compliance rates, where taxpayers who missed the original deadline now have a second chance to file on time and avoid late fees.
Things to Remember Before Filing
Though there is a new deadline, taxpayers should not wait until the last moment. Some of the important steps to consider are
- Collect all documents properly, like capital gains statements, proof of tax-saving investments, interest certificates from banks, and Form 16.
- Verify AIS and TIS by checking for any discrepancies and raise corrections if necessary.
- The income tax department provides pre-filled forms that are based on your PAN and you verify all the details before submitting.
- Remember to link Aadhaar with PAN, as it is mandatory for a successful filing and verification.
End Note
The decision of CBDT regarding the ITR extension date from 31st July 2025 to 15th September 2025 is a thoughtful move. The decision not only brought relief among taxpayers but also provided a chance for tax professionals to recheck errors and payment issues. The changes in the date not only reflect the government’s responsiveness to taxpayers’ concerns but also promote better compliance and data accuracy.
About The Author
