ITR Filing Deadline Extended : The central government has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITR) for FY2024-25 some time back. This means that now taxpayers can file their ITR by 15 September 2025 instead of 31 July 2025. In such a situation, the question arises whether there will be a penalty for filing income tax after 31 July?
ITR Filing Deadline Extended
These days it is the time to file income tax returns. For the convenience of taxpayers, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the deadline for submitting ITR from 31 July to 15 September. This relief is for those taxpayers whose accounts are not mandatory to be audited, such as salaried employees, pensioners and non-resident Indians (NRIs).
In this regard, it has been clarified that no interest or penalty will have to be paid for filing income tax returns after July 31, provided you fall in the category of taxpayers for whom the deadline has been extended.
ITR Filing Deadline Extended
However, it is important to note that the Income Tax Department has extended the tax filing deadline from July 31, 2025 to September 15, 2025 only for some taxpayers. There are many taxpayers for whom the last date for filing ITR is still the same.
Therefore, these people have to file their returns as per the old deadline, otherwise they may face a penalty. Taxpayers should ensure that they file their returns before the due date as per their category.
Why ITR Filing Got Delayed in 2025?
Usually the government releases the ITR form in the first week of April. Also provides online and offline utilities. So that taxpayers paying income tax can file their returns on time. However, this time the government released the ITR forms with a delay of about a month. Apart from this, many major changes were also made in the form, due to which it also took time to prepare the utilities.
How to File ITR Online
The Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) offers a user-friendly platform for filing ITRs. Follow these steps:
- Log In: Access the portal using your PAN and password.
- Select ‘e-File’: Navigate to the ‘e-File’ section, then choose ‘Income Tax Returns’ and ‘File Income Tax Return.’
- Choose Assessment Year: Select AY 2025-26 for FY 2024-25.
- Pick the Right Form: Use ITR-1 or ITR-4 for simple incomes (salaried, small business, or professional income). ITR-2 or ITR-3 may be required for complex incomes, though offline utilities for these are not yet available.
- Upload Documents: Enter financial details and upload necessary documents.
- Verify ITR: Verify your return using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or other methods within 30 days of filing.
Key Income Tax Rules for FY 2024-25
New Tax Regime as Default : The new tax regime is now the default, but taxpayers can opt for the old regime by submitting Form 10-IEA (for those with business or professional income).
Mandatory Disclosures : Taxpayers must report foreign assets, income from cryptocurrencies, and disabilities for deductions under Sections 80DD and 80U.
Aadhaar-PAN Linking : Existing PAN holders must link their PAN with Aadhaar by December 31, 2025, to avoid deactivation. New PAN applications require Aadhaar from July 1, 2025.
No Refunds Until Verification : The Income Tax Department is withholding refunds until past returns and pending assessments are reviewed to curb fake refund claims.
Pay Self-Assessment Tax Before July 31, 2025 to Avoid Interest
It is important to clarify here that there has been no change in the last date for depositing self-assessment tax. If you pay after this date, you will have to pay penal interest. Let us tell you that self-assessment tax is the tax that remains after advance tax and TDS deduction.
If a taxpayer deposits tax after July 31, 2025, then interest will be charged on it under Act 234A. Even if he files ITR by the extended date i.e. September 15, 2025. Therefore, taxpayers should ensure that they deposit their self-assessment tax on time so that interest can be avoided.
Know Penalty Rules Under Section 234A and 234B of Income Tax Act
If the income tax is not paid on time, action can be taken under two important provisions of the Income Tax Act. The first is Section 234A, under which if your ITR filing is delayed or the self-assessment tax is not paid on time, interest penalty will be charged.
The second is Section 234B, which applies if you have paid less than 90% of your advance tax during the financial year. In such cases, you will have to pay interest on the remaining amount as per the rules of the Income Tax Department.
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