In a rare but welcome move, the government has extended the income tax ITR filing due date for the financial year 2024-25 by one more day. Taxpayers now have until September 16, 2025, to submit their returns for Assessment Year 2025-26.
The extension, announced late on September 15, came after the Income Tax Department reported an unprecedented surge in return filings and acknowledged complaints about technical glitches on the e-filing portal. For millions of taxpayers, this small change makes a big difference, especially for those who were racing against the clock to file their returns.
Why Was the Income Tax ITR Filing Due Date Extended?
Normally, individual taxpayers are expected to complete their filings by July 31 each year. But this time, the deadline was already shifted once — from July to September 15 — because revised ITR forms had been rolled out earlier in the year.
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However, as the September 15 deadline approached, the system struggled under heavy traffic. Users complained on social media about errors while uploading documents or paying advance taxes. With more than 7.3 crore returns filed by September 15, the government decided to allow a one-day extension.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) also confirmed that the portal was under maintenance between midnight and 2:30 am on September 16 to enable smoother filing for last-minute users.
Record Numbers of Taxpayers This Year
The extension of the income tax ITR filing due date highlights the sheer scale of India’s tax base today. By September 15 alone, filings had already crossed 7.3 crore — the highest in the country’s history and higher than last year’s record of 7.28 crore.
The Income Tax Department expressed gratitude to taxpayers and chartered accountants for their timely compliance. In a post on X, it wrote: “We sincerely thank taxpayers & professionals for their timely compliance.”
This record number shows that more Indians are embracing digital tax compliance, but it also exposes the limitations of the infrastructure when millions rush to meet deadlines at the same time.
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Complaints About the E-Filing Portal
Despite the record filings, the days leading up to the deadline saw widespread frustration. Many taxpayers reported:
- Difficulty logging into the e-filing portal
- Failed attempts to upload ITR forms
- Problems in completing advance tax payments
The department clarified that not all issues were due to system errors; in several cases, browser settings or cache problems caused difficulties. Still, the spike in traffic was undeniable.
To reduce panic, officials advised users to clear cache memory, update their browsers, or try incognito mode. Yet, thousands of people continued to face problems. The extra day, therefore, became not just a gesture but a necessity.
What If You Miss the ITR Filing Deadline?
Even with the new income tax filing due date, some taxpayers may still miss the deadline. If that happens, there is still an option: a belated return can be filed up to December 31, 2025.
However, filing late has consequences. Under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act:
- A penalty of ₹1,000 applies if your income is up to ₹5 lakh.
- For income above ₹5 lakh, the penalty rises to ₹5,000.
Additionally, delayed filing attracts higher interest on outstanding taxes and restricts your ability to carry forward certain types of losses, such as capital or business losses. In short, waiting beyond the official due date can prove costly.
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Why Filing Early Is Always Better
While an extended income tax filing due date feels like a relief, financial planners consistently stress the importance of filing early. There are several reasons for this:
- Faster refunds – Those who file early typically get refunds sooner.
- Fewer errors – Early filing allows time to cross-check data and avoid mistakes.
- Better financial planning – Filing on time helps in applying for loans, visas, and other services where ITR is proof of income.
- Peace of mind – Avoiding last-minute stress reduces the risk of missing deadlines altogether.
This year’s rush should serve as a reminder to taxpayers not to wait until the final hours.
Experts Call for Stronger Systems
Tax consultants and digital finance experts believe the one-day extension is only a short-term solution. With more taxpayers filing each year, the demand on the income tax system will continue to grow.
Some experts argue that the government should invest in more robust infrastructure to handle peak loads. Others suggest that staggered deadlines for different taxpayer groups could ease the burden on the portal.
Still, many acknowledge that the responsiveness of the CBDT — extending the income tax ITR filing due date quickly after user complaints — reflects a positive shift toward taxpayer-friendly governance.
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