ITR Filing: This year the tax department extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Return (ITR) twice. The reason for this was technical problem, change in form and delay in audit report. For taxpayers who did not require audit, the last date to file ITR was September 16, 2025.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the date of tax audit report from 30 September to 31 October 2025. But there is no additional extension in the ITR date for taxpayers who are required to get audited. The last date of ITR will remain the same as that of the audit report.
For whom is ITR necessary?
In India, it is mandatory to file ITR for every person whose annual income is above the taxable limit. These limits for FY 2024-25 are as follows – ₹ 2.5 lakh for general taxpayers, ₹ 3 lakh for senior citizens above 60 years, and ₹ 5 lakh for super senior citizens above 80 years.
Even if your income is less than these limits, ITR may be necessary in some cases. For example, if you have more than ₹ 1 crore deposited in your bank account. You have spent more than ₹2 lakh on foreign travel. Or more than ₹ 1 lakh has been spent in electricity bill.
Two categories of taxpayers
Taxpayers are divided into two parts – non-audit category and audit category. Let us know about these also.
Non-Audit Category: This includes salary earners, pensioners, small businessmen or freelancers, who do not require account audit. The last date for filing ITR for this category was 16 September 2025.
Audit Category: This includes those businessmen and professionals whose annual turnover is more than ₹ 1 crore or professional income is more than ₹ 50 lakh. They have to submit account audit report. This year the deadline for audit report has been extended till 31 October 2025, but there is no change in the date of ITR.
What to do if ITR is not filed on time?
Even if you fall in the non-audit category and have not been able to file ITR by September 16, the chance is not over. You can file Belated ITR till 31st December 2025. However, some penalty and interest will have to be paid.
- If your income is more than ₹5 lakh, you will have to pay a fine of ₹5,000.
- If the income is less than ₹5 lakh, the penalty will be up to ₹1,000.
- Also, if tax is outstanding, interest at the rate of 1% every month (under Section 234A) will have to be paid.
Difficulties will increase if even belated ITR is not filed.
Even if you have not filed Belated ITR, the Income Tax Department can track your income through bank transactions, TDS, AIS and SIS reports. If any discrepancy is found, a notice may come. Also, you will not be able to file ITR after December 31, 2025.
In some special cases, you can seek approval for filing late ITR through Condonation Request, but it will completely depend on the approval of the department.
Heavy fine and threat of investigation for non-payment
If the tax department detects your undisclosed income, you may be charged a penalty of 100% to 300%. In serious cases, tax evasion case and legal action are also possible.
ITR is not just a tax return but a proof of your financial credentials. If you do not file ITR, you may face difficulties while applying for bank loan, business loan, education loan or foreign travel visa. Both banks and embassies treat ITR as a financial record.
Also read: ITR Refund delay: Income tax refund not yet received? Know what taxpayers should do now