Government extends ITR filing due date to September 16, 2025, after glitches hit the income tax e-filing portal. Over 7.3 crore returns filed, surpassing last year’s record.

New Delhi: The Centre has granted taxpayers one extra day to file their income tax returns for the Assessment Year 2025–26. The deadline, earlier set for September 15, was extended to September 16 after technical glitches disrupted access to the income tax e-filing portal on the final day.

Despite the hiccups, a record-breaking 7.3 crore ITRs were filed until September 15, crossing last year’s 7.28 crore mark, according to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). “To facilitate further filings of ITRs, the due date has been extended by one day,” CBDT posted on X.

Heavy traffic on the portal made logging in and tax payments difficult for many users. Several individuals and chartered accountants took to social media to complain about problems in uploading returns, paying advance tax, and downloading the Annual Information Statement (AIS). While the department maintained that the portal was “working fine” and advised users to clear browser cache or switch browsers, many continued to face disruptions.

The last date for filing ITRs without penalty now stands at September 16, covering income earned in FY 2024–25. The department has also announced that the portal will undergo maintenance between midnight and 2:30 am on September 16 to accommodate required updates.

This is the second extension for AY 2025–26 filings. Earlier, the deadline had been moved from July 31 to September 15 to allow time for changes in ITR forms and related utilities.

Analysis:
While the one-day extension brings relief to last-minute filers, the recurring technical issues raise concerns about the e-filing portal’s preparedness during peak load. For taxpayers, the best practical advice is to avoid last-day rushes by filing well in advance. However, the surge in filings also signals a healthy trend of rising compliance and a broader tax base.