The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has announced a one-day extension for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year 2025-26. The deadline has been pushed from September 15, 2025, to September 16, 2025, giving taxpayers an additional 24 hours to complete their filings.The Department had clarified yesterday that no extension will be granted.Additionally, September 15 was also the due date for payment of the second instalment of advance tax for FY 2025–26.
For taxpayers, the stakes remain high. Missing the ITR deadline can attract late fees of up to ₹5,000, while delays in advance tax payments can lead to penal interest.Where and how to file Income Tax Returns?According to the official website of the Income Tax Department, taxpayers can file it in two different modes – online and offline. Here’s a step-by-step guide to both the modes.Offline ModeTaxpayers can file their Income Tax Returns either fully online or via the partial offline mode. To e-File the ITR through the upload JSON method, users are required to download either of the following ITR utilities:Common offline utility (ITR-1 to ITR-4) and ITR 5, 6, and 7 separately.Excel utility (ITR-1 to ITR-7).Step 1. Visit the official Income Tax e-filing portal at 2. On the homepage, click the ‘Downloads’ option and then Income Tax Return to download the applicable ITR utility.Step 3. The ITR return file is downloaded in the ZIP file format. Extract the utility ZIP file and open the Utility from the extracted folder.Step 4. Taxpayers have to manually fill in the income and other required information applicable to the particular financial year. You can also import data in the JSON utility instead of manually filling in the data.Step 5. Once all the documents are ready, log in to the e-Filing portal with your User ID and password. You can also directly upload the JSON from the utility and simultaneously e-verify return or e-verify later on.Step 6. To verify your Income Tax Return, select one of the available options.Step 7. Once you have fully revised all your details, click on the ‘Submit’ button. Now, your form is submitted and a confirmation email will be shared.
Online ModeWhile filing ITR through online mode, taxpayers are required to enter the relevant data directly online at the e-filing portal and then submit it.Step 1. Open the Income Tax e-Filing portal at 2. Log in by providing your User ID and Password and click on ‘Continue’.Step 3. On the homepage, click on the ‘e-file’ option and then the ‘Income Tax Returns and File Income Tax Return link.Step 4. Once the ITR page opens, select ‘Assessment Year’ and then in the mode of filing select online and then continue.Step 5. Then, click the Start Filing option. If you have already filled the ITR and it is pending submission, then you can click on Resume Filing. However, if you wish to discard the saved return and start preparing the return afresh, then click on Start New Filing.Step 6. Select from ‘Individuals/HUF/Others’ and then select the ITR form depending on your profile.Step 7. Once you click on ‘Let’s get started’, you will be asked to select one of the applicable options from “Are you filing an Income Tax Return for any of the following reasons?”Step 8. Click the continue option and read the instructions carefully to fill in all the applicable and mandatory fields.Step 9. Once you are done with confirmation of all tabs, click on “Proceed”.Step 10. Select the “Preview return” to check the first check box and click on “Proceed to preview”.Step 11. Preview your return and then click Proceed to Validation.Step 12. Once it is validated, you will have to then click on “Proceed to verification”.Step 13. On Complete your Verification page, you will have to select your preferred option and then click on Continue.Step 14. On the e-verify page, opt for the option via which you wish to e-verify the return and click Continue.ALSO READ | ITR Filing: Where and how to file Income Tax ReturnFor all live updates, track CNBC-TV18’s income tax blog
