Fri Sep 05 18:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Income Tax Return Filing Deadline Looms: Taxpayers Urged to Act Fast

**New Delhi, September 5, 2025** – With just 11 days remaining until the September 15th deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the financial year 2024-25 (assessment year 2025-26), the Income Tax Department is urging taxpayers to file their returns immediately to avoid penalties and delays.

While the department extended the original July 31st deadline in May due to technical and operational reasons, the pace of ITR filing has been slower than anticipated. As of September 4th, over 4.56 crore ITRs have been filed, with 4.33 crore e-verified. However, only around 3.17 crore have been processed, leaving a significant number of taxpayers waiting for their refunds.

The department expects over 3 crore taxpayers to file their returns in the remaining days. This surge is consistent with last year’s trend, where nearly 70 lakh ITRs were filed on the final day, July 31st, 2024, out of a total of 7.28 crore returns filed for AY 2024-25.

The September 15th deadline applies to individuals and entities whose accounts are not subject to audit. Businesses and professionals requiring audits have until October 31st, 2025, to file their returns.

Taxpayers who miss the respective deadlines will face late fees and penalties. A penalty of up to Rs 5,000 may be levied for belated filings before December 31st, 2025, for those requiring audits. Furthermore, interest at 1% per month will be charged on any outstanding tax due.

While the government has not indicated whether there will be a further extension, it will depend on the department reaching last year’s filings. Experts advise taxpayers to avoid last-minute rushes, as the e-filing portal often experiences technical difficulties due to high traffic.

**In related news:** Maruti Suzuki’s new compact SUV, the Victoris, has achieved a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP. The Victoris is expected to be more affordable than the Grand Vitara, featuring advanced safety features and scoring high in occupant protection. This makes it the second Maruti product to achieve a perfect safety rating.

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