ITR Filing Last Date FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26): Don’t Miss It!
Tax rule #1: The taxman doesn’t do reminders — miss it, lose ₹5,000.
Let’s be real, deadlines are annoying. But when it comes to income tax return filing, missing the date isn’t just a “oops” moment; it could cost you money, peace of mind, and possibly your refund.
Filing your ITR on time isn’t just for rule-followers. The ITR deadline 2025 (September 15th for most individuals) is your cutoff to file without penalties or delays.
Whether you’re salaried, a freelancer, a trader, or a business owner, it’s your annual money audit. It tells the government: “Hey, I earned this much, paid my taxes, and I’m all set.”
Not sure how the whole process works or where to even begin? Start with this beginner-friendly guide to ITR Filing Fundamentals, which breaks down the entire process without the jargon.
Quick heads-up:
The financial year you’re filing for is FY 2024–25, but the return is for the assessment year 2025–26. That’s just tax speak for “you earn now, they assess later.”
So buckle up, because missing your ITR deadline could mean late fees, missed deductions, or refund delays. And we don’t want that for you.
Income Tax Return Filing Due Dates You Need to Know
It’s not far-fetched to say that most of us treat the ITR deadline like a Netflix subscription renewal; we wait till the last second (or miss it entirely). But with taxes, late action comes with late fees. So here’s your official reminder: mark these dates now, your wallet will thank you later.
These are the official ITR last date for FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26):
| Category | Due Date |
| Individuals (salaried/business not requiring audit) | 15th September 2025 |
| Businesses that need an audit | 31st October 2025 |
| Cases involving Transfer Pricing | 30th November 2025 |
Whether you’re earning a steady paycheck or juggling freelance gigs, this deadline affects you. Miss it, and you could face:
- ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 in late filing fees
- Interest on tax due
- Delays in refund processing
- In some cases, loss of certain deductions or carry-forward benefits
Pro Tip: File early. Refunds come faster, errors are easier to fix, and let’s be honest—you’ll sleep better.
Not sure which taxpayer type you fall into? Here’s a quick guide to taxpayer types & ITR forms you should file.
Missed the Deadline? Here’s What Happens
Okay, so you missed the ITR deadline. Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either.
Belated Return Due Date
You still have a second chance; you can file a belated return until 31st December 2025. It’s basically your “oops” return.
But heads up, it won’t be free.
ITR Penalty for Late Filing (Section 234F)
- Income below ₹5L? Penalty = ₹1,000
- Income above ₹5L? Penalty = ₹5,000
The ITR late fees for AY 2025–26? That’s a decent dinner or a whole year of OTT gone, right there.
Interest (Section 234A)
You’ll also pay interest on unpaid tax dues from the original due date till the date you finally file. So, the longer you wait, the more it adds up.
Revised Return
Filed your ITR but made a mistake (wrong bank account, missed income, forgot to claim a deduction)?
No worries, you can revise your return until 31st December 2025 too. Just fix it and refile.
But yes, if you miss even this second deadline, you’re officially locked out from filing that ITR. That means no refund, no deductions carry-forward, and no peace of mind.
What Happens If You Skip It Altogether?
Thinking of skipping ITR filing entirely? That’s like ghosting the Income Tax Department — and they don’t take it well.
Here’s what’s at stake:
Late Filing Fees (Still Apply)
Even if your taxes are nil, you can still be charged ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 just for being MIA.
No Carry Forward of Losses
Planning to set off business or capital losses next year? Nope.
Miss the deadline, and those losses vanish from your tax records like they never existed.
Loan & Visa Trouble
Most banks and embassies ask for past ITRs as proof of income.
No filing = No ITR = Big red flag. Whether you’re applying for a home loan or a European trip, your ITR is your financial passport.
Penalty Notices from the IT Department
Skip filing for too long and expect a friendly notice (read: not friendly) from the tax department. You could even face prosecution in extreme cases (yes, jail is technically possible, though rare).
Already feeling the heat? Don’t stress. Just get your ITR filed online with LegalWiz.in a simple, guided, and done right.
Which ITR Form Should You File? (Quick Match Game)
Filing your taxes isn’t a one-size-fits-all game. The form you pick depends on how you earn. Here’s your cheat sheet:
| ITR Form | You Should File If… |
| ITR-1 (Sahaj) | You’re a salaried employee (including pensioners) and your total income is ₹50L or less. One house? No business? The ITR-1 form is definitely for you. |
| ITR-2 | You’ve got capital gains (like from stocks or property), more than one house, or earn from foreign assets/income, then filing ITR-2 is the right option for you. Not for business owners, though. |
| ITR-3 | You’re running a business or profession, from store owners to consultants, ITR-3 is your go-to. Also, for those with income from partnership firms. |
| ITR-4 (Sugam) | You’re opting for presumptive taxation under Section 44AD/44ADA, so filing the ITR-4 (Sugam) form is ideal for small business owners or freelancers who want to skip detailed bookkeeping. |
Pro Tip: Filing the wrong form = possible rejection + delays. Not sure which one applies to you?
Also wondering how the new rules impact your filing game this year?
Before you panic or postpone, catch up on the new income tax rules for FY 2025–26— it’ll help you understand what’s changed, what’s allowed, and what deadlines you absolutely can’t miss.
Final Tips: File Smart, Not Last Minute
We get it — taxes aren’t exactly your idea of a fun weekend. But filing smart (and on time) means fewer errors, faster refunds, and zero penalty drama. Here’s how to make it stress-free:
What You Need Before Filing
Don’t wait till the portal starts glitching on July 31st. Have these ready:
- PAN & Aadhaar (linked and up to date)
- Form 16 (your salary summary from your employer)
- Form 26AS & AIS (to cross-check TDS and income reported by banks, employers, and others)
Where & How to File
You can:
- File yourself via the Income Tax e-filing portal
- Or save the hassle and let experts handle it with LegalWiz.in’s ITR filing service — fast, affordable, and accurate!
Don’t Skip the e-Verification
Filing is only half the story. To complete it:
- E-verify your ITR within 30 days (via Aadhaar OTP, bank account, or Demat option).
- If not verified, your ITR = invalid = refund delay = mood ruined.
Pro Tip: Want to double-check if the new income tax rules affect your form, deadline, or deductions?
Filing early means:
- Faster refunds
- More time to fix mistakes (if any)
- And zero stress when the deadline chaos begins
You don’t have to be a tax expert — you just need to file like one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file ITR after the due date?
Yes, fashionably late is allowed, but it’ll cost you! You can still file a belated return if you miss the 15th September deadline, but there’s a price tag: up to ₹5,000 as late filing fees (thanks to Section 234F). The last date to make your tax return for FY 2024–25 is 31st December 2025. Just don’t make procrastination your tax strategy.
Can I revise a belated return?
Missed the deadline and made a typo? No worries, you can still revise your ITR, even if it was belated. Both original and belated returns can be edited until 31st December 2025. So if you forgot to claim that juicy deduction or mistyped a digit in your bank account, you’ve still got a second shot.
What if my employer didn’t file TDS on time?
If your Form 26AS looks like a ghost town because your employer forgot to report TDS, don’t panic, but do act. Politely chase them down to fix it. If that doesn’t work, you can still claim the TDS using your payslip, but it may delay your refund or trigger an “ITD love letter” (aka a notice). So best to fix it at the source.
Do I need to file ITR if my income is below ₹2.5 lakh?
Legally? No. But practically? A big yes, especially if you want a refund, plan to carry forward capital losses, or apply for a loan or visa anytime soon. Filing a zero-tax return is like flexing your financial fitness; it shows you’re responsible, even if your income didn’t cross the exemption line.
Which ITR form should I choose?
Think of ITR forms as outfits, you gotta wear what fits. ITR-1 is your go-to for salaried folks earning up to ₹50 lakh. Got capital gains or multiple houses? Slide into ITR-2. Running a business or side hustle? ITR-3 is your match. And if you’re into presumptive taxation (like under 44AD/ADA), ITR-4 is made for you.
What happens if I skip filing completely?
Skipping your ITR is like ghosting the Income Tax Department, and they don’t take it well. You could lose the chance to carry forward losses, invite late fees, stall your loans/visas, and even get slapped with a penalty notice. So yes, dodging taxes might haunt you later.
How do I claim a tax refund?
Ah, the sweet joy of refunds! To claim yours, just file your ITR correctly, verify it within 30 days, and wait for the money to land in your bank. Pro tip: double-check your account details and Form 26AS to avoid refund hiccups; nobody likes waiting for money that’s technically theirs.
Can I claim deductions in a belated return?
Yup, deductions like 80C, 80D, and more are still on the table even in a belated return. But here’s the twist, the longer you wait, the higher your chances of penalties or a reduced refund. So claim them while they’re still fresh and avoid donating extra money to the government.
Sapna Mane
Sapna Mane is a skilled content writer at LegalWiz.in with years of cross-industry experience and a flair for turning legal, tax, and compliance chaos into clear, scroll-stopping content. She makes sense of India’s ever-changing rules—so you don’t have to Google everything twice.
