ITR filing 2025 alert: First-time income taxpayers must not miss this deadline

Income tax return (ITR) filing season is here, and talk is everywhere. For anyone tempted to wait until the deadline, here’s a tip: the sooner you file, the more relaxed your process will be, and you’ll thank yourself later. ITR filing can be daunting, especially for first-time filers.

However, thanks to the online portal, e-filing has become quick and easy, allowing individuals to complete it conveniently. If you are a first-time ITR filer in India, here is what you need to know about the ITR filing deadline.

What's the deadline?

The deadline for filing ITR for AY 2025‑26 (FY 2024‑25) is September 15, 2025, for most individual taxpayers (non-audit cases).

What should first-time ITR filers do?

• Gather documents: PAN, Aadhaar, Form 16, investment proofs, etc.

• Register on the e-filing portal.

• Select the right ITR form (ITR‑1 is simplest if eligible).

• Fill, review, submit, and e-verify.

• File before September 15, 2025 to avoid penalties.

If you're filing your ITR for the first time, the Income Tax Department has shared a handy video guide on its official X handle to help you get started.

It encourages taxpayers to begin early, steer clear of last-minute chaos, and complete the process confidently and smoothly in an easy-to-follow visual format shared by the official department.

What documents to keep ready

• PAN

• Aadhaar

• Bank account details

Form 16, Form 26AS, AIS/TIS (from income tax portal), interest certificates, investment proofs if opted for the old tax regime (under sections 80C, 80D, etc.), rent receipts (for HRA).

"Make sure you do not ever change your personal details to decrease the chances of mismatch in your documents. Know for which ITR form your income situation is applicable. Using a wrong form can cause delay in processing or worse, some penalties. Check your credits in Form 26AS and reconcile the same with Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) to ensure all credit has been properly reflected," said CA Gaurav Singh Parmar, Associate Director, Fincorpit Consulting.

"It is important, for complete accuracy and compliance, to declare all your sources of income even if they are relatively low. Validate it always and return/re-verify your file ASAP to complete the same," he added.

By following these steps, you will be able do file your first ITR cleanly, not face any unnecessary hassles, and develop a solid base for monetary discipline in the future.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the financial year 2024–25 (Assessment Year 2025–26). Taxpayers now have until September 15, 2025 to file their returns, an extension of 45 days beyond the original July 31 deadline.

Why was the due date extended?

This extension was granted in response to substantial modifications introduced in the ITR forms, such as enhanced reporting requirements and long-term capital gains disclosures, and the need for additional time to update the e‑filing infrastructure and reflect TDS credits accurately.