Deadline Moved Once More

Taxpayers have received another extension to file their income tax returns. The Ministry of Finance announced that the due date for filing ITRs for assessment year 2025-26, which was originally July 31, was first extended to September 15 and has now been pushed further to September 16. The move comes after multiple complaints of glitches and timeouts on the official e-filing portal over the past few days.

Portal Glitches Prompt Action

The Central Board of Direct Taxes explained that the extension was necessary to address technical issues that were troubling taxpayers and chartered accountants. Many users reported difficulties in logging in, server crashes, and delays in uploading forms. To implement fixes, the e-filing portal was placed in maintenance mode for two and a half hours early on September 16.

Why the Extensions Keep Coming

This is the second extension for this filing season. The government had already shifted the original July 31 deadline to September 15 due to delays in releasing updated tax forms. With continuing issues on the portal, the one-day grace period offers some relief to taxpayers who struggled to meet the revised deadline.

What It Means for Taxpayers

Although the extension provides breathing space, the message from authorities is clear—taxpayers should not wait until the last minute. Filing early not only avoids the stress of overloaded systems but also ensures quicker processing and refunds. Chartered accountants say the extra time will help clients complete pending paperwork that had been held up due to repeated technical interruptions.

The Bottom Line

The new due date for income tax return filing is September 16, 2025. Taxpayers now have an additional day to meet their obligations and avoid penalties. While the extension is short, it reflects the government’s recognition of the difficulties faced by millions of individuals trying to comply with the law on time.

 

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