For FY 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26), the last date for filing income tax returns (ITR) in cases without audit has now been reduced to 15 September 2025 instead of 31 July. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has taken this decision in the end of May to get more time to prepare the returns according to the new form and updated data. If no one is able to file a return by September 15, then there will be a chance to file returns by 31 December 2025, but during this time the delay fee and interest will have to be paid. Apart from this, some taxpayers have also been allowed to file returns by 31 October 2025.
Date the same in audit cases
Actually, there has been no change in the last date of filing income tax returns (ITR) for taxpayers whose accounts are required to audit. In such cases, the last date for filing returns will remain as before 31 October 2025. Meaning if it is necessary to get an audit according to your earnings or business, then you must file your ITR by 31 October 2025. After this, filing the return may be charged with penalty or late fees.
This time the filing started late
This time ITR filing has started a little late for assessment year 2025-26. Usually this process starts in April, but this time the return started from 30 May 2025. The reason for this delay is that this time many major changes have been made in the ITR form and the facilities related to it. After budget 2024 new new columns have been added to the form, such as new reporting of capital gains, separate sections for tax credit, and additional data field to increase transparency of taxpayers. Apart from this, the data of TDS and tax credit in Form 26AS also updated this time in June instead of May, due to which many taxpayers had to wait in filing returns. Due to all this, the filing work has started a little late.
Penalty on late returns
If your total income is more than Rs 5 lakh and you fill your income tax return after September 15, then you will have to pay a late fee of Rs 5,000. At the same time, if your income is less than Rs 5 lakh, then the late fee will cost only Rs 1,000. Keep in mind that after 31 December 2025, it will not be possible to file ITR in a normal way. After this date, you will be able to file only delayed returns or updated returns, which will impose both interest and penalty. Therefore, it is very important to file returns on time so that additional expenses can be avoided.