Govt pushes ITR deadline to September 15 due to major system overhaul

In a significant relief to taxpayers across the country, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for Assessment Year 2025–26 from July 31 to September 15, 2025.

The extension comes in the wake of sweeping changes to the ITR forms and the time-intensive process of readying the filing system. According to an official statement issued on Tuesday, the delay is aimed at ensuring a seamless and accurate return filing experience.

“In view of the extensive changes introduced in the notified ITRs and considering the time required for system readiness and rollout of ITR utilities, the CBDT has decided to extend the due date,” the department stated.

The revised deadline applies to taxpayers who were originally required to file by July 31. A formal notification confirming the extension is expected to be issued shortly.

The Income Tax Department reiterated that the decision reflects its commitment to facilitating ease of compliance and to ensuring accuracy in filings, especially in light of backend system upgrades and the delayed reflection of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) credits.

“TDS statements, which were due by May 31, are not expected to reflect until early June, leaving taxpayers with a narrow window to reconcile and file returns. This extension provides much-needed breathing room,” the department said in a post on social media platform X.

Officials emphasized that the delay is both a technical necessity and a measure of responsiveness to stakeholder concerns. “This move balances operational readiness with taxpayer convenience and reinforces the integrity of the overall filing process,” the CBDT noted.

The move has been widely welcomed by tax professionals, many of whom had raised concerns over the feasibility of filing within the original timeframe given the extent of changes in ITR forms and back-end processing.