In May, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had announced September 15, 2025, as the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITRs) for non-audit cases. However, with critical return filing utilities still pending and system delays continuing, tax experts are urging an official extension of the due date to September 30 for non-audit cases and November 30 for audit cases.
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Key income tax return utilities—ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-5, ITR-6, and ITR-7 for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26—are yet to be made available, leaving many filers in limbo. Additionally, the updated return utilities for AY 2021-22 and 2022-23, which must reflect provisions of the Finance Act, 2025, are still awaited.
Further adding to the delay is the non-release of crucial audit-related forms 3CA/3CB-3CD, without which tax audit cases cannot proceed.
“The compliance calendar is tight and system readiness is far from complete,” a senior chartered accountant said. “Taxpayers who are ready to file should not suffer due to backend failures. The department must acknowledge this and shift the burden away from honest filers.”
Many tax professionals have now urged to extend the ITR filing deadline to September 30, 2025, for non-audit cases and November 30, 2025, for audit cases, citing precedent and practical concerns.
While the original deadline for non-audit cases remains July 31, experts say another extension appears likely unless the remaining utilities are made live within the next few days. With system inefficiencies leaving thousands unable to begin or complete their filings, they argue the department must act urgently.
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As of now, there has been no official statement from the Income Tax Department regarding any extension. However, stakeholders are hopeful that a decision in favour of taxpayers will come soon.
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