Key Highlights

The ITR filing deadline for AY 2025–26 was extended from September 15 to September 16, 2025.
The Income Tax Department made the announcement late Monday night.
The extension came after complaints of technical glitches on the e-filing portal.
Taxpayers now have one extra day to complete their filing.
Suspense remains on whether the Centre will grant a further extension beyond September 16.

Introduction

The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year 2025–26 has been a matter of close attention for millions of taxpayers. On Monday night, the Income Tax Department announced that the due date, which was previously set for September 15, 2025, would now be extended by one day to September 16, 2025.

This decision came in response to widespread complaints regarding technical glitches on the department’s e-filing portal. With lakhs of taxpayers rushing to complete their filings, the system reportedly faced performance issues, leaving many unable to submit their returns on time. The additional day provides some relief, but uncertainty lingers over whether the Centre will consider another extension beyond September 16.

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The Official Announcement

The Income Tax Department issued the announcement late on Monday night, confirming that the filing deadline for ITRs under Assessment Year 2025–26 had been shifted by one day. Taxpayers who had been struggling with the platform were immediately informed that they would now have until September 16, 2025, to file their returns without penalty.

The decision was aimed at addressing concerns raised on social media platforms, taxpayer forums, and professional bodies, many of whom highlighted issues with slow response times and portal access difficulties during peak filing hours.

Reason for the Extension

The primary reason cited for the extension was technical glitches on the Income Tax e-filing portal. With September 15 being the original deadline, the rush of last-minute filings placed enormous stress on the online system. Several users reported login failures, page-loading errors, and difficulty in uploading forms.

In order to ensure that no taxpayer was unfairly penalized due to such issues, the department decided to provide an additional day. While the extension is short, it reflects an acknowledgment of the difficulties faced by taxpayers across the country.

New Deadline for AY 2025–26

With the revised timeline, taxpayers must now complete their filings by September 16, 2025. This marks a one-day extension compared to the original deadline of September 15.

The extension applies to all taxpayers who are required to file returns for Assessment Year 2025–26, and it ensures that those who could not access the portal earlier will have another chance to comply with regulations.

Suspense Over Further Extension

Despite this relief, there remains considerable suspense over whether the Centre will extend the deadline even further. Many taxpayers, professionals, and trade associations have urged the government to provide a longer extension, arguing that one additional day may not be sufficient to clear the backlog created by portal glitches.

As of now, however, no formal announcement has been made regarding a deadline beyond September 16, 2025. The situation remains under close watch, and taxpayers continue to hope for clarity from the authorities.

Mistakes to Avoid During Last-Minute Filing

Alongside the extended deadline, tax professionals have repeatedly emphasized the importance of avoiding common mistakes during last-minute filing. While the department has not issued a detailed advisory in this announcement, past experience shows that taxpayers under deadline pressure are more prone to errors.

Typical mistakes include:

Entering incorrect personal details, such as PAN or Aadhaar information.
Misreporting income sources or failing to declare interest income.
Errors in bank account details may delay refunds.
Failing to verify returns after submission renders the filing incomplete.

Since the deadline is now just one day away, taxpayers are urged to double-check their forms carefully before submission.

Taxpayer Reactions

The announcement of the one-day extension has been met with a mix of relief and concern. While many welcomed the decision, calling it a necessary step to address the portal issues, others argued that the relief is insufficient given the scale of problems encountered.

Social media platforms were filled with responses from individual taxpayers, chartered accountants, and financial advisors, many of whom urged the government to adopt a more flexible approach. The overarching sentiment is that a longer extension would be more practical.

Technical Glitches: A Recurring Challenge

The e-filing portal has frequently faced challenges during peak filing seasons. High volumes of traffic around deadlines often result in sluggish performance, error messages, and difficulties in uploading data.

This year was no exception. Despite earlier assurances that the system had been improved, the rush in mid-September again revealed performance bottlenecks. These issues played a decisive role in prompting the Income Tax Department to extend the deadline to September 16.

What Lies Ahead?

With the new deadline fast approaching, taxpayers now have a limited time to act. Unless the Centre announces another extension, September 16, 2025, will remain the final date for filing without penalty.

The suspense around a possible further extension keeps taxpayers on edge, but at present, the safest course of action is to assume that September 16 is the final deadline and to file returns accordingly.

Conclusion

The extension of the ITR filing deadline for Assessment Year 2025–26 by one day reflects the Income Tax Department’s response to technical difficulties faced by taxpayers on its e-filing portal. By shifting the date from September 15 to September 16, 2025, the department has offered limited relief to those who struggled to meet the original deadline.

However, questions remain about whether this extension is adequate. With taxpayers and professionals calling for more time, all eyes are now on the Centre to see if it will push the deadline further. Until then, taxpayers must ensure they file their returns carefully and avoid common mistakes, as the suspense over any further extension continues.

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