CBDT Extends ITR Filing Deadline to 15 September 2025

In a significant move offering relief to taxpayers, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26. The original deadline of July 31, 2025, has now been pushed to September 15, 2025, giving individuals and tax professionals more time to adjust to the sweeping changes introduced in this year’s return formats.

Why the Deadline Has Been Extended

This year, Income Tax Return forms have been structurally and content-wise revamped with the goal of improving compliance, boosting transparency, and enabling precise reporting. However, these improvements have also meant that the Income Tax Department needed additional time to finalize and deploy the corresponding utility tools.

According to the official statement, the rollout of these new utilities and the subsequent system integration and testing are still in progress. As a result, many taxpayers and stakeholders found themselves grappling with a compressed window to file accurate returns, especially since TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) statements, which form a crucial part of ITRs, are only due by May 31, 2025. These TDS credits typically start reflecting in early June, leaving a narrow filing window.

A Step Towards Better Compliance

The CBDT emphasized that the extension is not merely procedural but essential. It aims to provide a “smooth and convenient filing experience” to taxpayers, while also ensuring the integrity of the return filing system. The move comes after stakeholders, including chartered accountants and industry bodies, raised concerns about the limited time available for filing under the newly formatted returns.

Formal Notification Underway

While the announcement has been made publicly, a formal notification confirming the extension is expected shortly, making it official under the Income Tax Act.

View PIB press release here.