Income Tax Return Deadline 2025 – Everything You Need to Know
If you’re wondering when the 2025 income tax return deadline lands, you’ve come to the right spot. Missing the due date can cost you extra fees, but with the right plan you’ll file on time without stress.
When Is the Deadline and What Happens If You Miss It?
For most individual taxpayers in India, the deadline to file the FY 2024‑25 return is 31 July 2025. The government may extend this date a few weeks if there’s a major technical glitch, but you can’t count on it. Filing after the deadline triggers a penalty of ₹1,000 per month (or part of a month) up to ₹10,000, plus interest on any tax due.
Self‑employed professionals, senior citizens, and those with agricultural income often get a relaxed cut‑off of 30 September 2025. Still, the same penalty rules apply if you cross that line.
How to File Fast and Avoid Penalties
First, gather the basics: your PAN, Form 16 (or salary slips), bank statements, investment proofs (ELSS, PPF, life insurance), and home loan certificate. Having these documents in a single folder cuts down the back‑and‑forth when you log in to the portal.
Next, log in to the Income Tax e‑File portal – but since we can’t add links, just type the URL in your browser. Choose the appropriate ITR form (most salaried folks use ITR‑1) and let the auto‑populate feature pull data from your Form 16. Verify the numbers, add any missing deductions, and hit submit.
After submission, you’ll receive an acknowledgment (ITR‑V). If you’ve paid any tax, use the “e‑verify” option via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or DigiLocker. This step finalizes your return and prevents the return from being marked “unverified” – a common cause of post‑deadline penalties.
If you can’t meet the 31 July cut‑off, apply for a short extension through the portal’s “Request Extension” feature. The tax office may grant 15‑day extensions for genuine technical issues, but they rarely approve extensions for simple procrastination.
Finally, double‑check the tax calculated versus the tax already deducted (TDS). If there’s a mismatch, either pay the balance through the “Self‑Assessment Tax” option or claim a refund. The refund process typically takes 30‑45 days once the return is verified.Following these steps keeps you clear of penalties and lets you focus on planning next year’s investments instead of scrambling at the last minute.
