Why did CBDT extend the Income Tax Return filing deadline to September 16, 2025?

The new ITR filing deadline for AY 2025-26 is September 16, but only for non-audit filers who are typically required to submit their returns by July 31.

The deadline has apparently been extended as technical glitches disrupted ITR filing a few hours before the deadline.

New agency PTI reported that the Government extended the due date for filing income tax returns (ITRs) for Assessment Year 2025-26 by a day to September 16 as technical glitches disrupted filings on the last day.

However, CBDT didn't mention technical glitches in its notice on due date extension.

"The due date for filing of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for AY 2025-26, originally due on 31st July 2025, was extended to 15th September 2025. The Central Board of Direct Taxes has decided to further extend the due date for filing these ITRs for AY 2025-26 from 15th September, 2025 to 16th September, 2025," CBDT said in a press release.

According to the Income Tax Department, more than 7.3 crore ITRs were already filed till September 15, surpassing last year’s 7.28 crore.

The date has been extended by another 24 hours to facilitate further filings.

The Income Tax e-filing portal faced massive traffic on September 15, 2025, which was the last date for filing ITRs for AY 2025-26 as well as the last date for payment of the second quarterly instalment of advance tax for the ongoing financial year.

Hours before extending the deadline, the Income Tax Department issued guidelines for people having difficulty accessing the income tax e-filing portal. However, people continued to report glitches.

The last date to file ITRs without penalty for income earned in FY 2024-25 is now September 16.