The CBDT has extended the ITR filing deadline for FY 2024-25 to September 16 due to technical glitches on the tax portal.
For the Assessment Year 2025-26 (Financial Year 2024-25), the government has officially pushed the income tax return filing deadline for non-audit cases to September 16, 2025. This extension from the previous date of September 15 was granted in response to technical glitches and errors reported on the tax portal.
The extra day is intended to assist taxpayers who encountered system failures or connectivity issues while attempting to submit their returns at the last minute.
Key Reasons for the Delay
- Official Mandate: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) initially issued a press release on May 27, 2025, setting the deadline to September 15 due to updates in the ITR forms.
- Technical Challenges: The primary cause for the latest relief was the lag in portal updates aligning with the new form requirements for FY 2024-25.
- User Difficulties: Both tax professionals and individual filers reported significant hurdles, including errors in data capture from the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and general filing process interruptions.
- System Slowdown: On September 15, the portal experienced heavy traffic, making it difficult for users to generate tax payment challans or complete their submissions.
- Resolution: Acknowledging these issues, the CBDT provided a one-day relaxation, moving the final cutoff to September 16, 2025.
Official Announcement on Deadline Shift
According to the CBDT’s May 27, 2025 press release, the original deadline of July 31, 2025, was first moved to September 15. Subsequently, this date has now been adjusted to September 16, 2025.
This specific extension is significant as the government has strictly maintained the July 31 deadline for the past three years, following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The deviation this year suggests notable systemic challenges.
While this provides immediate relief, it also points to potential underlying institutional delays affecting the tax administration infrastructure.
Notification Details from CBDT
The formal extension for filing returns for FY 2024–25 is confirmed via the official notification issued by the CBDT, finalizing the date as September 16, 2025.
Historical Trends in Filing Extensions
In recent history, significant extensions were only granted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the administration has largely adhered to the original schedules. The table below outlines the trend over the last five years:
| Assessment Year (AY) | Financial Year (FY) | Original Due Date | Final Due Date (After Extensions) | Reason for Extension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 2019–20 | 31-Jul-20 | 10-Jan-21 | COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021–22 | 2020–21 | 31-Jul-21 | 31-Dec-21 | COVID-19 and new portal glitches |
| 2022–23 | 2021–22 | 31-Jul-22 | 31-Jul-22 | No Extension |
| 2023–24 | 2022–23 | 31-Jul-23 | 31-Jul-23 | No Extension |
| 2024–25 | 2023–24 | 31-Jul-24 | 31-Jul-24 | No Extension |
Conclusion
The extension to September 16 offers a brief but necessary window for taxpayers and chartered accountants struggling with compliance due to technical barriers. This adjustment ensures a smoother filing experience given the substantial updates made to the ITR forms for assessment year 2025-26.
