ITR Filing Deadline: Are you assuming that the deadline to file your Income Tax Return (ITR) is September 15, 2025, for everyone? If so, your assumption isn’t entirely correct. Although the deadline has been extended for general taxpayers, it is crucial to remember that the final date for filing ITR varies for different categories of taxpayers. A single mistake could lead to significant financial loss. In this report, we will discuss in detail which deadline applies to whom, so you can file your return on the correct date.
Who Should File Their Return by September 15?
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns for the Financial Year 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26). However, this extension is only for a specific class of taxpayers.
- Salaried Employees and General Taxpayers: If you are a salaried employee, or if your income comes from a source that does not require a mandatory audit of accounts, then the last date for you to file your ITR is indeed September 15, 2025. Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) whose accounts are not required to be audited can also file their returns by this date.
Warning: Your Deadline Might Be Different!
This is where the biggest mistake often happens. Many business owners and other categories of taxpayers assume that the date announced for general taxpayers is the final one for them as well. But according to the Income Tax Act, your deadline could be completely different.
- Businesses and Auditable Accounts: For taxpayers whose accounts must be audited (such as companies, partnership firms, or sole proprietorships exceeding a specific turnover), the deadline for filing the return is October 31, 2025. For them, the last date to submit the audit report is September 30, 2025. Therefore, September 15 does not apply to them.
- Taxpayers with International Transactions: If your business involves international transactions or certain Specified Domestic Transactions, you have an even later deadline. The last date for this category of taxpayers to file their return is November 30, 2025.
The table below will help you find your correct deadline:
| Type of Taxpayer | Last Date for Filing ITR |
|---|---|
| Salaried Individuals & Non-Audit Cases | September 15, 2025 |
| Businesses/Individuals Requiring Audit | October 31, 2025 |
| Taxpayers with International Transactions | November 30, 2025 |
Consequences of Not Filing on Time
Following the wrong deadline can cause you to fail to file your return within the specified time. This can have serious consequences:
- Penalty: Under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act, a penalty of up to ₹5,000 can be levied for late filing. (For those with an income of less than ₹5 lakh, the penalty is ₹1,000).
- Interest: You may have to pay interest at a rate of 1% per month on the outstanding tax amount.
- Loss of Benefits: You will lose out on important benefits, such as the ability to carry forward business losses or capital losses to subsequent years.
If for some reason you cannot file your return by your specific deadline, you have the option to file a Belated Return until December 31, 2025, but penalties and interest will apply.
Therefore, do not get misled by just reading the headlines. Understand which deadline applies to you based on your source of income and the nature of your business, and file your ITR on time like a responsible taxpayer.
