ITR Filing Deadline: Will CBDT Extend Due Date Beyond September 15? Experts Share Their Views

ITR Filing 2025: The clock is ticking for taxpayers. The Income Tax Department had already extended the original deadline for filing non-audit income tax returns (ITRs) from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025. With less than a week left, many individuals and professionals are still struggling to complete their returns. Now the big question is: will the deadline be extended further?

Why Taxpayers Want Another Extension

This year has been particularly challenging for both taxpayers and tax professionals. Several issues have contributed to the demand for more time:

• Delayed Release of ITR Utilities: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) released ITR-5, ITR-6, and ITR-7 only in August. Even ITR-2 and ITR-3 were made available as late as July 11. This left taxpayers with significantly less time to prepare and file.

• Portal Glitches: Users continue to face technical glitches on the income-tax portal, including frequent session timeouts, mismatches between the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS, and verification delays.

• Multiple Deadlines in September: Apart from ITR filing, taxpayers are also under pressure to meet deadlines for tax audit reports (due by September 30) and corporate filings under the Companies Act. This overlap has created additional stress for professionals.

Expert Opinions on Deadline Extension

Tax professionals believe the circumstances justify another extension.

• Himank Singla, Partner at SBHS & Associates, explains:
  “Timely availability of ITR forms and utilities is critical for compliance. Last year, most forms were released by June, giving taxpayers nearly three months before the July 31 deadline. This year, with key forms coming out only in August, extending the September 15 deadline is a matter of fairness and practicality.”

• CA Pratibha Goyal also supports an extension:
  “The late release of utilities has disrupted the entire filing season. Extending the deadline will reduce last-minute chaos and allow taxpayers to file accurately.”

However, not all experts believe that an extension alone will solve the problem. Some argue that because utilities were delayed so much, even the current extension didn’t provide meaningful relief.

Should You Wait for an Extension?

While many professionals expect CBDT to consider extending the due date, experts caution taxpayers against waiting until the last minute.

• Sujit Banjar, Founder of Taxbuddy.com, warns:
  “Filing at the eleventh hour is risky. The portal often slows down or freezes due to heavy traffic. Issues such as failed Aadhaar OTP verification, delayed acknowledgments, or system maintenance are common during peak days. Rushing increases the chance of errors, which could cost taxpayers in terms of disallowed deductions or missed loss set-offs.”

He emphasizes that early filing not only ensures accuracy but also reduces mental stress.

Key Challenges This Year

1. Delayed Availability of Forms: Major ITR utilities were released months late.

2. Portal Issues: Technical glitches continue to frustrate taxpayers.

3. Overlapping Compliance Dates: September is packed with tax audit and ROC deadlines, leaving little room for smooth transition.

Final Word

The demand for another extension beyond September 15, 2025, is strong, and experts agree that it would provide much-needed breathing space. But whether CBDT will actually extend the deadline remains uncertain.

For taxpayers, the safest strategy is clear: don’t wait. File your ITR as early as possible to avoid last-minute technical snags and compliance risks.