The Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26 may see another extension, according to tax experts, as technical glitches and system delays continue to hamper the filing process.
Current ITR Filing Deadline and Pending Utilities
In May 2025, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had officially extended the ITR filing deadline for non-audit cases to September 15, 2025. However, with several essential return filing utilities still unavailable, many taxpayers and professionals remain unable to complete their returns.
Key ITR utilities pending release:
- ITR-2
- ITR-3
- ITR-5
- ITR-6
- ITR-7
These utilities are crucial for individuals, professionals, and businesses filing under various income categories for AY 2025-26.
Tax Audit Forms Also Awaited
In addition to the pending ITR utilities, critical audit-related forms 3CA/3CB-3CD have yet to be released. Without these forms, taxpayers falling under the audit category cannot proceed with their filings.
Updated return utilities for previous years—AY 2021-22 and AY 2022-23, reflecting the provisions of the Finance Act, 2025—are also awaited, adding to the uncertainty.
Growing Calls for Deadline Extension
Leading chartered accountants and tax professionals are urging the Income Tax Department to extend the ITR filing deadline further. Many suggest pushing the deadline for non-audit cases to September 30, 2025, and for audit cases to November 30, 2025, citing technical shortcomings and historical precedent.
“The compliance window is already tight, and the system is not fully prepared. Honest taxpayers shouldn’t suffer due to backend failures,” said a senior tax expert.
Likely ITR Deadline Extension – What Taxpayers Should Expect
While the official ITR deadline for non-audit cases remains July 31, 2025, many experts believe a further extension is inevitable if system readiness does not improve quickly. Delays in making filing utilities available leave thousands of taxpayers unable to begin or complete their returns.
No Official Announcement Yet
As of now, the Income Tax Department has not issued any formal notification regarding a deadline extension. However, given the rising concerns among taxpayers and professionals, many are hopeful that a decision favoring taxpayers will be announced soon.
Conclusion: Stay Prepared but Expect Flexibility
Taxpayers are advised to stay updated on official notifications from the Income Tax Department and complete their filings promptly once the pending utilities become available. At the same time, based on past trends and current system challenges, an extension of the ITR filing deadline remains a strong possibility.