ITR Filing Last Date September 15: Tax Department Confirms Deadline Not Extended

ITR filing last date: As the ITR filing last date for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26 arrives today, September 15, 2025, millions of taxpayers across India are rushing to complete their returns before the midnight deadline ⏰. Despite heavy traffic on the income tax e-filing portal and growing demands for an extension, the Income Tax Department has confirmed there will be no deadline extension beyond September 15. This means individuals, HUFs, and non-auditable entities must file their income tax returns (ITRs) today to avoid late fees, penalties, and interest charges.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• 🚨 The ITR filing last date for AY 2025-26 is September 15, 2025.
• ❌ The Income Tax Department confirmed that no deadline extension will be given.
• 🌐 Netizens reported portal glitches and demanded more time, but the tax department denied issues.
• 📊 Over 6 crore ITRs filed till September 13, showing strong tax compliance.
• ⚠️ Missing the deadline will lead to penalties and late fees.

📌 Background: The Confusion Over ITR Filing Deadline

The Income Tax Department (IT Department) had earlier extended the original ITR filing deadline of July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025. This was done because of new changes in the ITR forms and back-end systems.

However, as the new deadline approached, fake messages started circulating on social media claiming that the last date had been extended further to September 30, 2025.

To clarify, the IT Department issued an official statement on September 14, 2025, calling these claims “fake” and urging taxpayers to rely only on updates from the official handle @IncomeTaxIndia.

👉 Final word: The last date to file ITR without penalty remains September 15, 2025.

🌐 Heavy Traffic and Portal Complaints

As the ITR filing last date approached, the income tax portal faced a sudden surge in traffic. Many users complained on social media that they were:

• Unable to log in to the e-filing portal.
• Facing errors while uploading returns.
• Experiencing problems in downloading AIS (Annual Information Statement) and TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary).
• Having difficulties in tax payment.

Several chartered accountants (CAs) also voiced frustration, saying the glitches were delaying return filing for their clients.

On September 14, late in the evening, the department reassured taxpayers that the portal was working fine. They advised users to:

• Clear browser cache.
• Try different browsers.
• Share details including PAN and mobile number with the helpdesk if issues persist.

📧 For issues, taxpayers were asked to write to:

• [email protected] (for portal-related issues)
• [email protected] (for AIS/TIS issues)

📊 ITR Filing Numbers So Far

The ITR filing momentum has been strong in India:

• ✅ By September 13, 2025, over 6 crore ITRs were filed.
• ✅ For comparison, in AY 2024-25, a record 7.28 crore ITRs were filed by July 31, 2024.
• 📈 This shows a 7.5% year-on-year growth in return filing.

Such rising numbers reflect:

• Growing taxpayer compliance.
• Increasing digital adoption.
• Broader tax base expansion in India.

🗓️ Why Was the Deadline Extended to September 15?

Originally, the deadline was July 31, 2025. But the government extended it to September 15, 2025 due to:

1. Changes in ITR forms – The new forms had updates related to income reporting, exemptions, and disclosures.
2. Utility modifications – Filing utilities needed updates to match revised forms.
3. System upgrades – Backend infrastructure had to be aligned with the new requirements.

This gave taxpayers more time to adjust and file correctly.

⚠️ What Happens If You Miss the ITR Filing Last Date?

Filing your ITR after the due date comes with penalties and consequences:

• 💰 Late fee under Section 234F:
  • ₹5,000 if filed after September 15 but before December 31.
  • ₹10,000 if filed later (₹1,000 for income below ₹5 lakh).
• ⏳ Loss of certain benefits:
  • Cannot carry forward losses (except house property loss).
• 🕵️ Higher chances of scrutiny:
  • Late filings are flagged for review more often.
• ⚡ Interest on tax dues:
  • Interest under Section 234A, 234B, and 234C applies if taxes are unpaid.

👉 Hence, filing before the ITR filing last date is the smartest choice.

📱 Social Media Buzz Around Deadline

Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook were flooded with:

• Complaints about portal glitches.
• Requests for deadline extension.
• Memes and jokes about last-minute filers 😂.

The IT Department actively responded, ensuring that the portal was functional and that reports of downtime were exaggerated.

✅ How to File ITR Before the Last Date

If you are yet to file, here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

1. 🌐 Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal.
2. 🔑 Log in using your PAN/Aadhaar and password.
3. 📂 Select e-File > Income Tax Return.
4. 🗓️ Choose Assessment Year 2025-26.
5. 📝 Fill in required details (income, deductions, bank details).
6. ✅ Validate, preview, and submit.
7. 🔒 Verify return through Aadhaar OTP, bank account, or digital signature.

💡 Expert Tips for Smooth ITR Filing

• Don’t wait until the last hour 🚨.
• Keep documents handy: Form 16, bank statements, AIS/TIS, interest certificates.
• Double-check deductions under 80C, 80D, 80G, etc.
• Reconcile your 26AS and AIS before submission.
• Always e-verify after filing, else the return is invalid.

📌 Table: Important Facts About ITR Filing Last Date 2025

🎯 Conclusion

The ITR filing last date for AY 2025-26 is finally here — September 15, 2025. Despite heavy portal traffic, glitches, and rumors of an extension, the Income Tax Department has made it clear that there will be no further deadline extension.

With more than 6 crore ITRs already filed, the push for tax compliance in India continues to grow. For those who haven’t filed yet, the message is simple: Don’t wait. File today!

🚨 Missing the deadline can cost you money in penalties and unnecessary stress.

👉 Stay updated only through official IT Department channels and finish your filing before the clock runs out!