ITR Filing Last Date Tomorrow: File Now to Avoid ₹5,000 Penalty

Introduction

The final countdown has begun for taxpayers across India. The extended deadline to file your Income Tax Return (ITR) for the Assessment Year 2025-26 is tomorrow, September 15, 2025. After this date, taxpayers will face significant financial penalties, including a mandatory late fee and interest on any outstanding tax. With over six crore returns already filed, the Income Tax department is urging remaining individuals to complete the process immediately to avoid the consequences of late filing.

Key Takeaways: Final ITR Deadline Alert

• The Final Deadline: The ITR filing last date is TOMORROW, September 15, 2025.
  
  
• The Penalty: Missing the deadline will result in a late fee of up to ₹5,000.
  
  
• Interest Charges: An interest of 1% per month will be levied on any unpaid tax amount.
  
  
• Loss of Benefits: You will lose the ability to carry forward business and capital losses.
  
  
• Belated Return: The last date to file a belated return (with penalty) is December 31, 2025.
  
  

The Cost of Delay: Understanding the Penalties

Filing your ITR after the due date is not just an inconvenience; it comes with a direct financial cost. Here’s a breakdown of what you stand to lose if you miss the September 15 deadline.

1. Late Filing Fee (Section 234F): This is a mandatory penalty.

• If your total income is more than ₹5 lakh, the penalty is ₹5,000.
  
  
• If your total income is less than ₹5 lakh, the penalty is ₹1,000.
  
  

2. Interest on Tax Due (Section 234A): If you have any tax amount that is yet to be paid, you will be charged an interest of 1% per month (or part of a month) on that amount, starting from the day after the due date.

3. Loss of Key Benefits: Perhaps the biggest loss for investors and business owners is the inability to carry forward certain losses. If you file a belated return, you cannot carry forward losses from capital gains or from your business to set them off against future profits.

Why Was the Deadline Extended?

The original deadline for filing ITR for most individuals was July 31, 2025. However, the government extended this to September 15 due to “structural and content revisions” in the ITR forms that were notified late in the season, giving taxpayers and professionals more time to adapt to the new forms. No further extensions are expected.

What to Do if You Miss the Deadline?

If you fail to file by tomorrow, you can still file a “belated return.” However, this must be filed by December 31, 2025, and you will have to pay the applicable late fee and interest. The Income Tax department has set up a 24×7 helpdesk to assist taxpayers with any filing-related issues.

Conclusion

With the ITR filing last date just hours away, the message from the tax department is clear: file now. The process is now streamlined and can be completed online. Waiting until the last minute can lead to technical glitches on the portal due to heavy traffic, in addition to the guaranteed financial penalties for late filing. Completing your tax filing on time is a critical financial responsibility and will save you from unnecessary costs and complications.


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Sources:

• Income Tax Department of India: For official rules, deadlines, and penalty information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)