ITR Filing Due Date 2025: What taxpayers must pay attention to before filing returns–A complete last-minute guide

ITR Filing Deadline: With the due date for filing income tax returns (ITR) drawing closer, lakhs of taxpayers are rushing to finish the process. The Income Tax Department has given extra time this year, extending the deadline for Assessment Year 2025-26 to September 15, 2025. The earlier deadline was July 31.

As per officials, the extension was needed because of major changes in ITR forms and the time required to update the filing system.

Also Read: ITR Filing: New TDS/TCS statement correction deadline; here's what you should do to avoid tax notice

ITR: What taxpayers need before filing

Before sitting down to file returns, taxpayers should keep ready Form 16 from their employer, Form 26AS, the Annual Information Statement (AIS), PAN and Aadhaar details, bank and investment proofs, and receipts for home loan interest or insurance payments.

Choosing the right ITR form

To prevent wrong filings, the correct ITR form needs to be selected.

• ITR 1 (Sahaj): For salaried individuals with an income of fewer than Rs 50 lakh with one house property and income from other simple sources.
• ITR 2: For individuals having capital gains or more than one house property but not carrying on business.
• ITR 3: For persons having income from business or profession, including freelancers and self-employed persons.
• ITR 4 (Sugam): Presumptive basis income of desiring Rs 50lakhs from small business or profession.
• ITR 5: For firms, LLPs, AOPs, BOIs, societies, and certain legal entities.

Also Read: ITR Filing Deadline: Small or no annual income? These 5 individuals must still file ITR

Double-checking your income records

Taxpayers should carefully check Form 26AS and AIS to make sure all income, including salary, interest, and other earnings, is correctly reported.

Don’t miss deductions

The choice of tax regime matters.

• Old regime: Allows a wide range of deductions, including under sections 80C, 80D, home loan interest, NPS contributions, donations, and education loan interest.
• New regime: Provides fewer deductions but includes relief on housing loan interest and employer contributions to NPS.

Also Read: ITR Filing: Only one week left to file your income tax return; here's why you should not wait for the deadline

Verify bank account details

Bank account numbers and IFSC codes must be updated on the e-filing portal so that refunds can be credited without delays.

Steps to file ITR

• Collect documents like bank statements and Form 16.
• Download Form 26AS and AIS and cross-check them with your records.
• Choose the correct ITR form.
• Income and deductions should be entered correctly.
• File the return on the e-filing portal.
• Within 30 days, the process completes with e-verification.

E-verification can be done through Aadhaar OTP or EVC, net banking, or by physically signing a copy of ITR-V and sending it to the department of taxes.

Penalty for late filing

If the return is not filed by September 15, it can still be submitted as a belated return, but with penalties. People earning more than Rs 5 lakh may have to pay up to Rs 5,000 as penalty, while those earning below Rs 5 lakh will face a maximum fine of Rs 1,000.

(Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and should not be taken as legal or tax advice. Please consult a qualified tax professional or visit the official Income Tax Department website for the latest and accurate details before filing your returns.)