NEW DELHI: The income tax department has extended the deadline for filing of tax returns by individuals from July 31 to Sept 15 in the wake of several amendments to the law, which have necessitated revisions in the notified ITRs for this assessment year, requiring the authorities to rework the technology platform, among other things.“The notified ITRs for Assessment Year 2025-26 (FY2024-25) have undergone structural and content revisions aimed at simplifying compliance, enhancing transparency, and enabling accurate reporting. These changes have necessitated additional time for system development, integration, and testing of the corresponding utilities. Furthermore, credits arising from TDS statements, due for filing by May 31, 2025, are expected to begin reflecting in early June, limiting the effective window for returns filing in the absence of such extension,” the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a statement.For the last few years, the tax department has been sticking to the July 31 deadline meant for individuals who do not need to get audits done. The deadline covers the bulk of I-T returns filed during the year. Whenever the deadline has been extended in the past, it has happened quite late in the day. But this time the I-T department has opted to inform taxpayers early.“Given the requirements of these new ITR forms, the e-filing utility (both online and offline) needs to be updated by govt. Therefore, it is a very welcome move to extend the ITR filing deadline…, allowing taxpayers the time required to comply with these enhanced reporting requirements and legislative changes,” said Sonu Iyer, partner and national leader for People Advisory Services-Tax at consulting firm EY India.“Given the complexity and increased reporting requirements in the revised ITR forms, including more granular disclosures of capital gains, foreign income, and asset ownership, the extension offers much-needed relief to taxpayers… taxpayers are advised to utilise this extended window to compile their financial data, reconcile necessary information, thereby minimising the risk of filing errors or omissions,” said Sandeep Sehgal, tax partner at consulting firm AKM Global.
