In a move that comes as a relief to taxpayers and chartered accountants across the country, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITRs) for the financial year 2024-25 to September 15, 2025. The original deadline was set for July 31.
The decision follows mounting concern and frustration among tax professionals, particularly chartered accountants, who took to social media to express their difficulties. Their primary grievance was the delay in the release of updated software utilities required for filing the newly revised ITR forms.
The CBDT, acknowledging the challenges, noted that the ITR forms for Assessment Year 2025-26 have undergone structural and content modifications aimed at simplifying compliance, enhancing transparency, and ensuring more accurate reporting. However, these significant updates have also required extensive backend work, including the development, integration, and testing of the filing utilities.
Recognizing the technical hurdles and the legitimate concerns raised by professionals, the government has acted to ease the pressure by granting additional time. The official statement emphasized that the extension was necessary to ensure that the new systems are fully operational and reliable before being rolled out to the public.
This decision demonstrates a responsive approach by the authorities, balancing the need for reform with an understanding of the real-world difficulties faced by those responsible for compliance. It also underscores the importance of giving adequate time for adaptation, especially when systemic changes are involved.
A formal notification detailing the extension is expected to be released soon. For now, the move is being widely welcomed by tax professionals and individual taxpayers alike, offering a much-needed breathing space as they prepare to comply with the new filing requirements.