ITR : The Income Tax Department has officially extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for Assessment Year 2025–26 by one extra day. Taxpayers now have until September 16, 2025, to complete their filings.
This extension comes in the wake of an unprecedented surge in filings and repeated complaints of technical glitches on the e-filing portal, which left many unable to submit their returns on time.
Why was the ITR filing deadline extended?
- The original due date for ITR filing (AY 2025–26) was July 31, 2025.
- Due to revisions in ITR forms and required back-end changes, the deadline was pushed to September 15, 2025.
- However, with lakhs of taxpayers rushing to meet the cutoff, the e-filing portal faced heavy traffic. Several users complained of login failures, payment errors, and session timeouts.
- In response, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) granted a one-day relaxation, extending the final date to September 16, 2025.
CBDT also scheduled portal maintenance between 12 am and 2:30 am on September 16 to enable smooth filing for last-minute users.
Record surge in ITR filings
According to official data, over 7.3 crore ITRs were filed by September 15, 2025 — the highest-ever in India’s history, surpassing last year’s 7.28 crore filings.
The department expressed gratitude in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“We sincerely thank taxpayers & professionals for their timely compliance. More than 7.3 crore ITRs have been filed for AY 2025–26 till 15th September. We appreciate your support.”
This surge reflects both rising tax compliance and the government’s repeated reminders urging citizens not to delay their filings.
Common portal issues flagged by taxpayers
Despite the record filings, many users complained of:
- Errors while uploading ITR forms
- Problems while making advance tax payments
- Login failures and system slowdowns
While the department acknowledged the complaints, it clarified that many issues were linked to local device/browser settings rather than system-wide outages.
To help users, CBDT shared troubleshooting tips such as:
- Clearing browser cache
- Using updated browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
- Trying incognito/private mode
What if you miss the deadline?
Even with the extension till September 16, taxpayers must remember that late filing attracts penalties:
- â‚ą5,000 penalty if filed after the due date but before December 31, 2025 (income above â‚ą5 lakh).
- â‚ą1,000 penalty if income is below â‚ą5 lakh.
- Interest under Sections 234A/B/C may apply on pending tax dues.
Filing on time also ensures quicker refunds and avoids scrutiny notices.
Positive side of the extension
- Taxpayers who faced portal glitches got relief with an extra day.
- Professionals handling bulk filings could complete pending cases.
- Record compliance highlights better awareness among citizens.
Negative reactions
- Some taxpayers felt a single-day extension was too short, especially since portal issues persisted until late on September 15.
- Calls were made on social media for a week-long extension to ensure fair opportunity for all.
Final Word
The ITR filing due date for AY 2025–26 is now September 16, 2025. While the extension is short, it reflects the government’s attempt to balance compliance and technical capacity. Taxpayers are advised not to wait until the last moment to avoid penalties and technical hurdles.
👉 To file your return, visit the official portal: Income Tax e-Filing Portal
đź”” Additional Updates & Context
- Live Confirmation of Deadline Extension
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) officially announced via its News & e-Campaigns page that the due date for filing ITRs for AY 2025-26 has been extended from September 15 to September 16, 2025. Income Tax Department+2Hindustan Times+2 - Surge in Filings Breaks Records
By September 15, over 7.3 crore ITRs had been filed — surpassing last year’s count of ~7.28 crore. This surge is seen as a contributor to portal load issues. mint+2The Economic Times+2 - Portal Glitches & User Complaints
Many taxpayers reported:- The portal being very slow, freezing, or timing out. The Economic Times+2The Economic Times+2
- Issues downloading crucial documents like the Annual Information Statement (AIS) or verifying data summary (Taxpayer Information Summary-TIS). The Times of India+1
- Problems with OTPs, browser compatibility, and payment challan generation. The Times of India+1
- Browser / Device Tips Issued by CBDT
To help people facing technical issues, CBDT has shared advisory tips such as: clear browser cache/cookies, use a current version of supported browsers, try incognito/private mode, switching devices or networks, etc. The Economic Times+2The Times of India+2 - Audit & CA Bodies’ Feedback
The Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society (BCAS) asked for deadline extensions (especially for audit-cases, Form 3CEB etc.) owing to compressed time, reporting enhancements, and portal issues. The Economic Times - CBDT’s Statement on Irregularities & Fake Extension Rumors
While extension was granted from 15th to 16th Sep, CBDT also clarified that there is no extension beyond Sept 16, and cautioned taxpayers against fake notices or rumors claiming later dates. Indiatimes+1
âś… What New Info You Can Add to Your Article
- The official notice on the Income Tax Department’s website confirming the new deadline: 16 September 2025. Income Tax Department
- That the portal will be under maintenance overnight on September 16 (12:00 AM to ~2:30 AM) to enable changes to utilities, so last-minute filings during that time may fail. The Economic Times+1
- The form types impacted: many non-audit assesses, ITR-2 etc., who need supporting documents like AIS, 26AS etc. Forms and utilities got delayed this year which compounded problems. The Economic Times+1
- Penalties and consequences for missing even the extended deadline: late filing fees under section 234F, interest under relevant sections, loss of ability to carry-forward certain losses. The Economic Times+2The Economic Times+2
- The assurance by tax authorities that they are monitoring traffic, assisting with helpdesks, and that user complaints were taken seriously.
