ITR Filed : 2,51,34,926

ITR Verified : 2,43,02,930

ITR Verification Pending : 8,31,996

ITR Processed : 1,13,66,233

ITR Processing Pending : 1,37,68,693

A Guide to Income Tax Return Filing: Deadlines and Processing

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is a crucial annual responsibility for every taxpayer. It’s a process that has become increasingly streamlined, but understanding the key dates and different stages of the process is essential to avoid penalties and ensure a smooth experience.

As per the latest available data, the Income Tax Department has been actively working on processing returns with efficiency. The following numbers highlight the current status:

These figures demonstrate the high volume of returns being handled by the tax department. While a significant number of returns have been processed, a substantial portion is still pending, highlighting the importance of filing your ITR correctly and on time to avoid delays.

Understanding Financial Year (FY) and Assessment Year (AY)

To understand the ITR filing deadlines, it is important to first distinguish between the Financial Year (FY) and the Assessment Year (AY).

  • Financial Year (FY): This is the period from April 1 to March 31 of the next year, during which you earn your income. For example, income earned between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, falls under the Financial Year 2024-25.
  • Assessment Year (AY): This is the year immediately following the financial year, during which the income earned in the previous year is assessed and taxed. For example, for the income earned in FY 2024-25, the relevant Assessment Year is 2025-26.

Income Tax Return Filing Due Dates

The deadline for filing ITR varies depending on the category of the taxpayer. It’s crucial to be aware of the correct date that applies to you. For the Financial Year 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26), here are the key due dates:Category of TaxpayerDue Date for ITR Filing (AY 2025-26)Individual / HUF/ AOP/ BOI (accounts not required to be audited)September 15, 2025*Businesses (requiring audit)October 31, 2025Businesses requiring transfer pricing reports (in case of international/specified domestic transactions)November 30, 2025Revised returnDecember 31, 2025Belated/Late returnDecember 31, 2025Updated return (ITR-U)March 31, 2030

Note: The original deadline of July 31, 2025, for non-audit cases was extended to September 15, 2025, for AY 2025-26 due to changes in the ITR forms and tax laws.

Consequences of Missing the Deadline

Failing to file your ITR by the specified due date can lead to several penalties:

  • Late Filing Fee (Section 234F): A late fee of up to INR 5,000 may be levied. For taxpayers with a total income of less than INR 5 lakh, the maximum fee is INR 1,000.
  • Interest on Unpaid Tax (Section 234A): You will be liable to pay simple interest at the rate of 1% per month or part of a month on the outstanding tax amount, starting from the day after the due date.
  • Loss of Benefits: You may not be able to carry forward losses (except for losses from house property) to future years to set them off against future income.
  • Penalties and Prosecution: In cases of significant tax evasion, the tax authority can levy a penalty of up to 50% of the tax avoided and even initiate prosecution, which could lead to imprisonment.