In a rare one-day extension, the Income Tax Department has decided to extend the last date for assessees to file their tax returns until Tuesday, September 16. Taxpayers will get an extra day to submit their income tax returns (ITRs) for financial year 2024-24 (Assessment Year 2025-26).
This marks a further extension to the already extended deadline of September 15. Originally, taxpayers had until July 31 to file their ITRs. That deadline was then extended to September 15.
Now, an additional day provides those who couldn’t submit their returns by September 15 one more opportunity to comply with tax laws for the previous financial year.
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I-T Department announces ITR filing deadline extension on X
“KIND ATTENTION TAXPAYERS! The due date for filing of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for AY 2025-26, originally due on 31st July 2025, was extended to 15th September 2025. The Central Board of Direct Taxes has decided to further extend the due date for filing these ITRs for AY 2025-26 from 15th September, 2025 to 16th September, 2025,” the taxman wrote on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter).
KIND ATTENTION TAXPAYERS!
The due date for filing of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for AY 2025-26, originally due on 31st July 2025, was extended to 15th September 2025.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes has decided to further extend the due date for filing these ITRs for AY… pic.twitter.com/jrjgXZ5xUs
— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) September 15, 2025
To enable changes in the utilities, the e- filing portal remained in maintenance mode from 12:00 AM to 02:30AM on September 16, according to the department.
What happens if you file a belated income tax return?
Delaying your ITR beyond the due date leads to the Income Tax Department imposing a penalty of up to Rs 5,000 on the taxpayer. In such cases, taxpayers may also have to face additional interest charges, depending on their situation.
ALSO READ: ITR Filing | What taxpayers must pay attention to before filing returns–A complete last-minute guide
Interest and penalty explained
Failing to honour the deadline leads to interest under Section 234A of the Income Tax Act. Taxpayers are required to pay simple interest, at 1 per cent per month or part of the month, on the outstanding tax amount until the return is filed.
This means that even a slight delay can increase your liability. This is why it is important for income tax assessees to file their tax returns within the stipulated timeframe.
Also, Sections 234B and 234C have provisions for interest to be applied to such taxpayers for the shortfall or delay in advance tax payments.
A penalty of Rs 5,000 can be levied under Section 271F of the Act, depending on the circumstances.
However, if the taxpayer has already cleared their taxes on time and only the return filing is pending, then no additional interest is charged.
How is interest under Section 234A calculated?
The formula is straightforward:
Balance tax payable × 1% × number of months of delay
Who does Section 234A apply to?
This provision applies to all taxpayers — whether individuals, Hindu Undivided Families or businesses.
No one is exempt from these interest charges if there is tax payable.
What happens if you face technical issues while filing ITR?
The Income Tax Department has assured taxpayers that help is available round-the-clock.
“Our help desk is functioning on a 24×7 basis, and we are providing support through calls, live chats, WebEx sessions, and Twitter/X,” the department wrote earlier.
