Overview

• Individual taxpayers not subject to audit must file by September 15 for AY 2025–26, with audited entities due on October 31 and transfer pricing cases on November 30.
• About 5 crore returns were filed as of September 8, with more than 3.39 crore already processed, according to figures cited by Financial Express.
• Chartered accountants and trade groups including FKCCI and CAAS have urged CBDT to push the date, pointing to late release of ITR-5/6/7 utilities in August and recurring portal issues.
• Authorities have not announced any further extension, and tax experts quoted in recent reports say an extension appears unlikely given current filing progress.
• Late filing attracts a fee up to ₹5,000 and monthly interest on unpaid tax, while pre-filled utilities on the e-filing portal allow many salaried users to self-file if they choose the correct form and avoid ITR-1 where exclusions apply.