India’s Income Tax Department on Monday announced that over seven crore income tax returns (ITRs) have been filed for the Assessment Year 2025-26, as the deadline of September 15 drew to a close. Officials described the surge in filings as a reflection of growing compliance and the expanding taxpayer base.
In a post on X, the department thanked citizens and tax professionals for helping it reach the milestone. “More than 7 crore ITRs have been filed so far and still counting. We extend our gratitude to taxpayers and tax professionals for helping us reach this milestone, and urge all those who haven’t filed ITR for AY 2025-26, to file their ITR,” the department said.
To ease the pressure of last-minute submissions, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said its helpdesk is functional round-the-clock, providing assistance through calls, live chats, WebEx sessions and social media handles. “Our helpdesk is functioning on a 24×7 basis, and we are providing support,” the post added.
Department Dismisses Extension Buzz
The strong advisory came a day after rumours circulated online suggesting the deadline had been extended to September 30. The department was quick to dismiss the reports. “A fake news is in circulation stating that the due of filing ITRs (originally due on 31.07.2025, and extended to 15.09.2025) has been further extended to 30.09.2025. The due date for filing ITRs remains 15.09.2025. Taxpayers are advised to rely only on official @IncomeTaxIndia updates,” it clarified.
The original due date of July 31 had been pushed to September 15 for non-audit cases after revisions in ITR forms and system upgrades earlier this year. The current deadline, the department underlined, would not be moved further.
Heavy Traffic, Glitches Reported
While officials celebrated record compliance, practitioners flagged issues of portal slowdowns as lakhs rushed to meet the deadline. Tax consultants reported intermittent delays, though filings eventually went through. Authorities acknowledged the heavier-than-usual traffic but stressed that the portal remained operational, supplemented by helpdesk support.
“Every September, the system faces a surge. This year is no different, though overall, the portal is holding up better than previous cycles,” said a Delhi-based tax advisor.
Missing Deadline Comes at a Cost
Experts reminded taxpayers that failure to file on time could prove expensive. Under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act, late filers may have to pay a penalty, ₹1,000 for incomes up to ₹5 lakh and ₹5,000 for higher incomes. In addition, delayed returns attract interest on unpaid taxes and may bar taxpayers from carrying forward certain losses.
“Even if you are unable to finalise every detail, it is wiser to file a return now and revise later. Waiting for an extension that never comes can lead to unnecessary penalties,” warned another practitioner.
The Income Tax Department echoed that view, urging taxpayers to complete the process without delay. Officials noted that the sharp rise in filings reflects improved compliance, digitisation and a growing culture of timely reporting.
Compliance Rising
From fewer than six crore returns a few years ago to more than seven crore this year, India’s tax base is expanding steadily. Analysts say rising awareness, stricter enforcement and smoother digital systems are driving the numbers. Still, the department’s challenge is to keep its infrastructure resilient enough to handle the annual last-minute rush.
As the clock ticks down to the midnight deadline, millions of taxpayers are expected to complete their filings. The Department has once again cautioned citizens to rely only on official notifications and avoid misinformation circulating on social media.
The achievement of crossing 7 crore filings before the cut-off has been hailed as a sign of deepening compliance culture in India’s economy. With the ITR deadline fixed at September 15 and no further extension on the cards, the message from the government is clear: timely filing is not optional but essential.