New Delhi, September 11, 2025 – Time is running out for taxpayers. The extended deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) is just around the corner — September 15, 2025. While over 5 crore people have already filed their returns, nearly 3 crore taxpayers are still waiting to do so, sparking fresh speculation: Will the government give more time?
From small traders to big professionals, many are finding it tough to complete their filings on time. Several tax bodies and associations have written to the government, asking for the deadline to be pushed further, ideally till October 15. Their reasons are simple:
- The ITR portal has been glitchy, with frequent slowdowns and validation errors.
- Frequent updates in forms have forced many taxpayers to redo their entries.
- The timeline feels too tight, especially with other compliance work and festivals happening at the same time.
The government, however, doesn’t seem too keen on another extension. Officials have pointed out that this year’s deadline was already shifted once — from July 31 to September 15 — to give people more time. For now, the official message is clear: taxpayers should not wait and should file as early as possible.
What If You Miss the Deadline?
Missing the deadline can be costly. Taxpayers may have to pay:
- A late fee of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, depending on income level.
- Interest on unpaid taxes, counted from July 31.
- A chance to file a belated return till December 31, 2025, but with penalties.
With crores of returns still pending and only a few days left, the pressure on both taxpayers and the system is intense. Whether the government will bow to demands for more time remains to be seen. Until then, the safest move for taxpayers is simple: file now, don’t wait for an extension.
