Thu Sep 11 08:10:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

With the September 15th deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the Assessment Year 2025-26 (Financial Year 2024-25) rapidly approaching, taxpayers and chartered accountants are urging the government to extend the deadline. Reasons cited include persistent portal glitches, mismatches in Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS), delayed release of utilities, and the sheer volume of returns yet to be filed. Professional associations, including the Karnataka State Chartered Accountants Association and the Advocates Tax Bar Association, have formally requested an extension. While over 5 crore returns have been filed, experts warn of penalties and refund delays for late filing, advising taxpayers to complete their ITR filing as soon as possible, as the government has not made any statement regarding an extension. Different deadlines apply to taxpayers requiring audits, with a due date of October 31, 2025.

**News Article:**

**Taxpayers Plead for ITR Filing Deadline Extension Amidst Portal Issues**

New Delhi – As the September 15th deadline looms for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the Assessment Year 2025-26, a growing chorus of taxpayers and chartered accountants are calling on the government to extend the due date. The Income Tax Department has not yet made an announcement.

Tax professionals claim persistent glitches on the e-filing portal, along with discrepancies between Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS), are hampering the filing process. Further, the daily filings have only reached 16 lakh compared to the average of 54 lakh to file all the remaining returns. These issues are causing delays and errors, leading to increased stress for taxpayers racing against the clock.

Several professional associations, including the Karnataka State Chartered Accountants Association (KSCAA) and the Advocates Tax Bar Association (ATBA), have formally appealed to the Finance Ministry, requesting an extension. The ATBA has proposed pushing the deadline to October 15th and the tax audit report submission deadline to November 30th.

“The September 15th deadline is unrealistic given the technical difficulties and the sheer number of taxpayers still struggling to file,” said a representative from the Chartered Accountants Association, Surat (CAAS).

While over 5 crore ITRs have been filed thus far, experts are cautioning taxpayers against waiting for a potential extension. Missing the deadline can result in penalties of up to Rs 5,000 under Section 234F and delays in receiving refunds. The government has not yet indicated whether an extension will be granted.

Different deadlines apply to different categories of taxpayers. For individuals and non-audit cases, the deadline is September 15, 2025. Businesses and professionals requiring audits have until October 31, 2025 to file.

Taxpayers are advised to address any issues on their returns and e-verify their return as soon as possible to avoid penalties and possible delays.

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