Income Tax News: ITR Filing Deadline Extended to September 15 for Most Taxpayers; Different Dates Apply for Firms and Companies

As the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing season picks up pace, taxpayers across the country are busy submitting their returns. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) recently extended the last date to file ITR for individuals from July 31 to September 15, 2025.

However, many are unaware that the ITR deadline is not uniform for all categories of taxpayers. Different entities have different due dates depending on the nature of their accounts and whether an audit is required.

Who Needs to File by September 15?

The extended deadline of September 15, 2025, applies to:

Individual taxpayers

Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs)

Other taxpayers whose accounts do not require auditing

These individuals are advised to file their returns well before the deadline to avoid last-minute hassles or system slowdowns.

Deadline for Companies and Auditable Accounts

For entities whose accounts need to be audited, such as:

Companies

Proprietorship firms requiring audit

The due date for ITR filing is October 31, 2025.

Auditing is mandatory under certain conditions, such as when turnover crosses specific thresholds. Therefore, firms falling under this category must ensure their financial statements are audited before filing their returns.

Why Timely Filing Matters

Filing ITR on time helps taxpayers avoid penalties, receive timely refunds, and maintain compliance. Delayed filing may attract fines under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act, and in some cases, interest on tax dues.

Taxpayers are encouraged to verify their ITRs promptly after submission, as the process is considered complete only after verification—either electronically or by sending a signed physical copy to the CPC office in Bengaluru.

Early filing helps in faster processing of refunds, early verification, and avoids last-minute technical issues. Taxpayers also get time to correct errors, if any, before the deadline. Moreover, early ITR filing improves financial credibility and helps in visa applications, loan approvals, and government documentation.