Income Tax Department Rejects Fake News on ITR Extension
The Income Tax Department has clarified that the last date to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) for AY 2025-26 remains September 15, 2025. In a late-night post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) on September 14, the department dismissed social media claims that the deadline had been extended to September 30 as fake news.
Urging taxpayers to rely only on official updates, the department said:
“The last date for filing ITR will remain 15.09.2025.”
Taxpayers have been advised to follow updates only through the official handle @IncomeTaxIndia.
Helpdesk Available 24×7 for Assistance
To ensure smooth filing, the Income Tax Department announced that its helpdesk is operating round-the-clock, providing assistance via:
Calls
Live chat
WebEx sessions
‘X’ (Twitter) responses
This service aims to address taxpayer issues related to ITR filing, tax payments, AIS (Annual Information Statement), and TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary).
Addressing Glitches on the Portal
In recent days, several users and chartered accountants reported difficulties with tax payments, uploading ITRs, and downloading AIS/TIS. Responding to these concerns, the department clarified:
The e-filing portal is working fine; users should clear browser cache or try another browser.
Taxpayers facing issues can share details such as PAN, mobile number, and public IP address with the department through official support emails:
Over 6 Crore ITRs Filed So Far
On September 13, the department reported that over 6 crore ITRs had already been filed by noon. This follows the extension announced in May 2025, when the deadline was shifted from July 31 to September 15 for individuals, HUFs, and entities not requiring audits.
The extension was made due to structural and content changes in ITR forms for AY 2025-26, which required updates to filing features and backend systems.
Growing Trend in ITR Filings
The filing of ITRs has been steadily increasing in recent years:
AY 2024-25: 7.28 crore ITRs filed (record high)
AY 2023-24: 6.77 crore ITRs filed
Growth: 7.5% year-on-year
This trend highlights the growing participation of taxpayers and the government’s efforts to improve compliance through digital platforms.
