If you’re one of the millions of Indian taxpayers rushing to meet the Income Tax Return (ITR) deadline, there’s some relief — the government has extended the due date for filing once again. Although the extension is just one day, it gives last-minute filers a little breathing space. In this article, we’ll break down the new ITR filing deadline, why it was extended, the problems behind the scenes, and how you can make the most of this short window.
📅 The New Timeline for ITR Filing
The Income Tax Department had originally set July 31, 2025 as the last date for individuals to file their returns for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26 (corresponding to Financial Year 2024-25). This was then extended to September 15, 2025, mainly because of technical issues and a large volume of pending returns.
Now, in a fresh announcement, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has pushed the deadline further to September 16, 2025. While it’s only a 24-hour extension, it acknowledges the challenges taxpayers have faced and the ongoing glitches on the government’s e-filing platform.
🔍 Why the Extension Was Needed
Although tax deadlines are normally rigid, the Income Tax Department had little choice but to extend it. Over the past week, the government’s e-filing portal has experienced multiple technical problems:
- Unplanned downtime — taxpayers frequently encountered “site under maintenance” messages.
- Slow upload speeds — especially during peak evening hours.
- Errors in validation utilities — which forced professionals to re-submit forms multiple times.
The portal was also officially down between 12:00 AM and 2:30 AM on September 16 for maintenance and updates. Such downtime in the middle of a filing rush left users frustrated, prompting calls from Chartered Accountants (CAs) and taxpayers to give more time.
😒 Public Frustration and Criticism
This isn’t the first time India’s tax system has faced digital hiccups. But the one-day extension has sparked a mixed reaction:
- Taxpayers feel the government underestimated the scale of the issue — a single day is too short when millions of returns are still pending.
- CAs and tax professionals have expressed irritation on social media, saying they’re working around the clock but can’t overcome portal errors.
- One CA even pointed out the irony: “Officials got 2.5 hours for updates, taxpayers got 21.5 hours to file millions of pending returns.”
This criticism reflects a larger issue with India’s digital public infrastructure: as adoption grows, the systems need to scale faster and be more resilient.
📊 Filing Statistics at a Glance
Despite the difficulties, the number of filings has been impressive:
- As of September 15, 2025, more than 7.3 crore returns have been filed, exceeding the 7.28 crore filed during the same period last year.
- This shows a steady increase in compliance and awareness among taxpayers, but also creates pressure on the e-filing systems.
The government’s challenge now is to maintain system stability while handling record volumes.
⚙️ How the E-Filing Portal Works
For many taxpayers, the e-filing portal is their main interface with the Income Tax Department. It allows:
- Filing and verification of returns.
- Uploading TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) certificates.
- Checking refund status.
- Accessing past return records.
Any disruption in this single platform affects everyone — from individual salaried employees to large corporations. Because the government has consolidated most tax functions online, the portal’s reliability is now as critical as the deadline itself.
💡 Tips for Using the Extra Day Effectively
Even though it’s only a one-day extension, you can still make the most of it:
- File Early in the Day: System load tends to peak during evenings. Try logging in during early morning hours when fewer people are filing.
- Keep Documents Ready: Ensure your Form 16, bank statements, TDS certificates, and investment proofs are handy to avoid last-minute searching.
- Use the Pre-filled Data: The portal now offers pre-filled fields based on your PAN and previous filings — check them carefully and update where necessary.
- Verify Bank Details: Refunds can only be credited to pre-validated bank accounts. Double-check this before submitting.
- Avoid Multiple Logins: If using a CA, coordinate so that you’re not both logged in simultaneously under the same account — it can cause session timeouts.
📝 What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Even with the extension, many taxpayers still risk missing the deadline. Here’s what you should know:
- Late Filing Fee: If you miss September 16, you can still file a belated return, but under Section 234F you’ll incur a penalty of up to ₹5,000.
- Loss of Certain Benefits: Late filers lose the option to carry forward some losses to future years.
- Delayed Refunds: Refunds typically take longer for belated returns.
So even if you’re tempted to push it further, it’s almost always better to file before the due date.
🧾 Common Reasons Returns Get Rejected
While rushing to meet deadlines, taxpayers often make mistakes that can cause their returns to be rejected or flagged for scrutiny:
- Incorrect PAN or Aadhaar details.
- Mismatched income or TDS data with Form 26AS.
- Forgetting to verify the return after submission (returns aren’t valid until verified via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or by sending a signed physical ITR-V).
Double-checking these small details can save you a lot of trouble later.
📚 The Bigger Picture: India’s Tax Digitisation Drive
The push toward e-filing started more than a decade ago, but only in the last few years has it become mandatory for most taxpayers. This has several benefits:
- Reduces paperwork and administrative costs.
- Makes refunds faster and more transparent.
- Improves tax compliance and revenue collection.
However, as the scale grows, so does the importance of strong IT infrastructure. Many experts believe the government should invest more in cloud capacity and redundancy to prevent these repeated last-minute glitches.
📝 Checklist Before You Hit ‘Submit’
Here’s a quick checklist to ensure your return is ready to go:
- All income sources included (salary, interest, rental income, capital gains).
- Deductions under 80C, 80D, etc., claimed correctly.
- Bank accounts updated and validated.
- Correct ITR form chosen (ITR-1, ITR-2, etc.).
- Return verified immediately after filing.
Following this checklist can help you avoid common errors and penalties.
📈 The Trend of Increasing Filings
Interestingly, despite the technical issues, more people are filing their returns every year. This is due to:
- Wider use of PAN–Aadhaar linking.
- Digital payment footprints making incomes more traceable.
- A growing middle class aware of tax compliance benefits.
This trend is positive for India’s fiscal health but will require sustained upgrades in digital tax administration.
🔄 Could the Deadline Be Extended Again?
While theoretically possible, it’s unlikely the CBDT will extend the deadline beyond September 16 unless the portal experiences a major breakdown. The government is also under pressure to close the books for the fiscal year and process refunds on time. So, taxpayers should not bank on further extensions.
✅ Key Takeaways for Taxpayers
- New deadline: September 16, 2025 (AY 2025-26).
- Reason: Portal maintenance and technical glitches.
- Impact: Only a one-day window, so act fast.
- Consequence of delay: Late filing fees and loss of benefits.
💬 Final Word
The Income Tax Department’s decision to extend the deadline again is both a relief and a reminder. It shows the government is responsive to public pressure but also highlights the persistent technology challenges in India’s tax infrastructure. For taxpayers, the lesson is clear: don’t wait until the last day to file. Even a robust system can slow down under heavy load, and when the extension is only 24 hours, every minute counts.
By understanding the reasons behind the extension, preparing your documents in advance, and filing as early as possible, you can turn this last-minute relief into a stress-free tax filing experience.
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