ITR Filling- Big news for taxpayers. In May 2025, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had fixed September 15, 2025 as the last date for filing ITR in non-audit cases for assessment year 2025-26. But now taxpayers and chartered accountants are upset as the necessary return filing utilities have not been released yet and the preparation of the portal is getting delayed.
Tax experts say that taxpayers should not suffer in such a situation. They are demanding to extend the deadline to September 30 for non-audit cases and November 30 for audit cases.
Which utilities have not yet arrived?
Key utilities like ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-5, ITR-6 and ITR-7 for assessment year 2025-26 are not yet available on the portal. Apart from this, updated return utilities for AY 2021-22 and 2022-23 are also pending, which need to incorporate the changes in the Finance Act, 2025.
Tax audit filing also stopped
Form 3CA/3CB-3CD, which is necessary for audit cases, has also not been issued yet. Due to the absence of these forms, filing of thousands of audit cases is not being able to proceed.
What are the experts saying?
A senior chartered accountant says that the system is incomplete and the compliance calendar is very tight. Taxpayers who are ready to file should not be penalized for technical glitches. The department should acknowledge the delay and extend the deadline.”
Many tax professionals have sought extension of the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITR) for non-audit cases to September 30, 2025, and for audit cases to November 30, 2025, citing precedent and practical concerns.
Though the original deadline for non-audit cases is set for July 31, experts say the deadline could be extended once more unless the remaining utilities are made available in the next few days. They argue that since thousands of taxpayers are unable to start or complete their filings due to system glitches, the department should take a decision soon. At present, there has been no official statement from the Income Tax Department regarding the deadline extension, but stakeholders are hopeful that a positive decision will be taken soon in the interest of taxpayers.