ITR Filing 2025 Deadline: Will the Government Extend the Due Date Again? 5 Key Reasons Behind the Demand

The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2024-25 (assessment year 2025-26) is currently September 15, 2025. With less than a month left, both taxpayers and tax professionals are urging the government to extend the deadline once again. Their concern is that the existing challenges make it difficult to file returns on time.

Earlier in May 2025, the government had already extended the due date from July 31 to September 15, citing changes in ITR forms and rules. But as the new date approaches, industry bodies and tax experts believe more time is required.

Why Tax Experts Are Seeking an Extension

The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), along with several tax associations across the country, has formally requested the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to extend the ITR deadline further. In a letter, GCCI highlighted that both taxpayers and professionals are struggling with multiple practical difficulties.

Here are the five major reasons behind the growing demand for a deadline extension:

Late Release of ITR Utilities and Forms – Tax professionals argue that the ITR forms and filing utilities were made available much later than expected, leaving less time for proper compliance.

Technical Glitches in the Portal – Frequent system errors, login failures, and timeouts have made it challenging to upload returns smoothly. Many taxpayers report that even after filing, errors appear, or data does not update properly.

Discrepancies in Tax Data – Information in Form 26AS, Annual Information Statement (AIS), and Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS) often contains mismatches. Updates are delayed, making reconciliation difficult for both individuals and accountants.

New Financial Data Format – The introduction of updated financial detail formats has complicated the filing process. Professionals say the new system requires extra effort and more time to validate.

Festive Season Pressure – The period between August and November is packed with festivals across India. With several holidays, the working window for tax professionals shrinks further, adding to compliance challenges.

Given these hurdles, GCCI has suggested that the government should extend the deadline for non-audit cases to October 30, 2025.

Chartered Accountants Voice Concerns

Many chartered accountants (CAs) and tax practitioners have raised alarms about the difficulties they face. According to them, even after multiple attempts, returns often fail to upload correctly due to glitches in the income tax portal. These errors consume additional time and make timely compliance nearly impossible.

Government’s Previous Extension

Back in May 2025, the CBDT had acknowledged similar concerns and extended the ITR deadline by six weeks, from July 31 to September 15. At that time, the government explained that due to significant changes in ITR forms and filing rules, taxpayers required more preparation time.

What Happens Next?

Currently, the government has not issued any official notification about a further extension. The final date remains September 15, 2025. However, with mounting pressure from industry bodies, tax experts, and professional associations, there is a possibility that the Finance Ministry may reconsider.

For now, taxpayers are advised to continue preparing their returns and avoid last-minute filing, while keeping an eye on any updates from the government.

✅ Key Takeaway: As the ITR deadline nears, unresolved technical issues, late release of forms, and festive disruptions are fueling demands for an extension. Whether the government will agree remains to be seen.