ITR filing deadline extended to Sept 15: Belated and revised returns open till Dec 31 for AY 2025-26

The clock resets for taxpayers: what changed and who gets more time

The government has nudged the ITR filing deadline for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26 to September 15, 2025 for individuals, HUFs, and other non-audit cases. The original July 31 cut-off moved because the return forms were tweaked this year—both the structure and the content. If you missed September 15, you still have a safety net: belated and revised returns are open until December 31, 2025.

Here’s the split by taxpayer type and formality:

• Individuals/HUF/AOP/BOI (non-audit): September 15, 2025
• Businesses subject to tax audit: October 31, 2025
• Cases requiring transfer pricing report: November 30, 2025
• Belated and revised returns (u/s 139(4) and 139(5)): December 31, 2025
• Updated return (ITR-U): March 31, 2030

As of September 13, more than 6 crore returns are already filed for AY 2025-26. Tax experts expect the number to edge toward 8 crore by the mid-September line, helped by reminders from the department and a smoother e-filing portal compared to earlier years.

Who counts as an audit case? Businesses that trigger a tax audit under section 44AB—think turnover thresholds—typically come under this bucket. As a rule of thumb, a traditional threshold of ₹1 crore applies, but it can go up to ₹10 crore if cash receipts and cash payments each do not exceed 5% of the total. For professionals, the audit trigger is generally total receipts above ₹50 lakh.

Missed the date? Costs, trade-offs, and how to get back on track

Filing after September 15 is allowed, but it’s not free. Late filing can hit you on three fronts—fees, interest, and lost benefits.

• Late fee (section 234F): ₹5,000 if you file after the due date but by December 31, 2025. If your total income is up to ₹5 lakh, the fee is ₹1,000. No fee applies if your total income is below the basic exemption threshold.
• Interest (section 234A): 1% per month (or part of a month) on unpaid self-assessment tax from the due date until the date you actually file and pay. If you have no tax payable, 234A interest usually doesn’t bite.
• Advance tax interest (sections 234B/234C): Kicks in if you didn’t pay enough advance tax or paid it late. This is common for freelancers, consultants, and those with significant capital gains or interest income.

There are also benefits you may lose when you skip the original due date:

• Carry-forward of losses: You generally cannot carry forward business and capital losses if you file a belated return. Loss from house property is the key exception—you can still carry it forward even if you file late.
• Lower interest on refunds: If you file late and are due a refund, the interest period can start from the filing date instead of April 1 of the assessment year, trimming what you get back.
• Delayed processing: Late returns often get processed later. If you’re counting on a refund or a credit carry-forward for advance tax planning, that delay hurts cash flow.

Belated vs revised vs updated—what’s the difference?

• Belated return: Used when you missed the due date. Open till December 31, 2025. Late fees and interest apply.
• Revised return: Use this to correct mistakes—wrong bank IFSC, missed interest income, or a TDS mismatch. Also open till December 31, 2025.
• Updated return (ITR-U): A wider window that runs up to March 31, 2030 for AY 2025-26. It’s meant to fix under-reporting or omissions even after the belated/revised window closes. It comes with additional tax and charges, which can be significant.

How to steer clear of errors before you hit submit:

1. Match your data: Reconcile Form 26AS, AIS and TIS with your Form 16/16A, bank statements, broker statements, and interest certificates. If AIS shows an FD interest you missed, add it.
2. Check regime choice: New regime is the default with a ₹3 lakh basic exemption (AY 2025-26). If you want the old regime and its deductions, make sure you actively choose it where required.
3. House rent and home loan: For HRA claims, cross-check landlord PAN if needed. For home loan benefits, confirm interest certificate details and co-borrower shares.
4. Capital gains: Upload the right scrip-wise details where the form asks. Verify the broker summary, corporate actions, and grandfathering where relevant.
5. Donations and deductions: Keep 80G receipts and ensure they match the institution’s details. For 80C and 80D, retain proof—PPF, ELSS, insurance premiums, and medical policies.
6. E-verify on time: Your return isn’t considered filed until you e-verify. Do it via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or bank account validation within the portal.

Who should consider filing sooner rather than later?

• Anyone expecting a refund: The earlier you file, the sooner you get paid—and the higher your interest period if you met the original deadline.
• Folks with foreign income or assets: Disclosures are detailed and mistakes are costly. Build in time to cross-check.
• Freelancers and traders: Income is often uneven, and advance tax interests (234B/234C) can surprise you. Early filing helps you see the final picture.

Common traps this year

• TDS mismatch on interest: Banks report interest on an accrual basis. If you add only what hit your account, AIS will flag a gap.
• Broker data drift: Corporate actions (splits/bonuses) can throw off capital gains calculations. Use your CAS and broker P&L, then align with the schedule requirements.
• Wrong bank for refund: If the account isn’t pre-validated, refunds won’t land. Do the pre-validation before filing.

If you’ve already missed September 15, don’t stall. File the belated return by December 31 to cap the late fee and stop monthly interest on unpaid tax. If you spot an error after filing, fix it with a revised return by the same date. If something big comes to light later, the updated return route stays open till March 31, 2030—but expect extra tax and charges.

The message from the department is blunt: most people should aim to wrap up by the mid-September line to avoid fees and the loss of carry-forwards. For those who can’t, the December 31 backstop is still a real chance to close the year cleanly.