ITR Filing Last Date 2025: Is September 15 the Final Deadline? Understand the Due Date vs Last Date
As the ITR filing season for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) heats up, the Income Tax Department has extended the due date for filing ITR from July 31, 2025 to September 15, 2025 for certain categories of taxpayers.
If you’re still wondering whether September 15 is your last chance to file the return or if you can file later, here’s a simple breakdown of all key dates, rules, and penalties.
Who Needs to File by September 15, 2025?
The new due date of September 15, 2025, applies to:
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Individual taxpayers
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Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs)
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Taxpayers not required to get their accounts audited
This extension was announced by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) due to significant updates made in the ITR forms and the additional time required to update the online filing systems and utilities.
Who Has More Time?
If your accounts are subject to audit—like in the case of companies, business owners, and partners in firms—then the deadlines are as follows:
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Audit Report Submission: September 30, 2025
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ITR Filing Due Date: October 31, 2025
As of now, there is no extension announced for audit-related filings. So, if you’re a business or a working partner, it’s crucial to plan accordingly and avoid last-minute rush.
Can You File ITR After the Due Date?
Yes, filing after the due date is still possible, but it comes with a catch. If you miss the September 15, 2025 deadline (for non-audit cases), you can still file your belated ITR until December 31, 2025.
However, late filing may result in:
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A penalty of up to ₹5,000 under Section 234F
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Loss of certain tax benefits, such as carry-forward of losses
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Possible interest on late payment of tax dues
So, even though the last date is December 31, it’s advisable to file as early as possible.
Income Tax Department Issues Scam Alert
Amid the ITR filing rush, the Income Tax Department has also alerted taxpayers about a rising phishing scam.
Fraudsters are sending fake emails claiming tax calculation errors and offering false refund links. These emails often come from donotreply@incometaxindiafilling.gov.in, which closely resembles the official domain to mislead users.
The department has confirmed:
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It never asks for passwords, OTPs, or bank details via email, SMS, or phone
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Taxpayers must verify communications from the official domain @incometax.gov.in
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Any suspicious messages should be reported immediately to webmanager@incometax.gov.in
Final Words
Filing your ITR on time helps avoid penalties, ensures faster processing, and keeps your financial records clean. With the extended due date of September 15, 2025, for non-audit cases and October 31, 2025, for audit cases, taxpayers have more time—but not forever.
Make sure you don’t confuse the due date with the last date. The due date is when you’re expected to file without penalty, while the last date is your absolute deadline to avoid harsher consequences.
Stay updated, file smart, and beware of scams.
