Deadline Day: Why Filing Your Income Tax Return on 15TH SEPTEMBER 2025 Matters More Than Ever
As the sun rises on September 15, 2025, taxpayers across India are racing against the clock. Today marks the final day to file your Income Tax Return (ITR) for the financial year 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26) — at least for those who fall under the non-audit category. If you haven’t filed yet, this is your last chance to do so without incurring penalties, interest, or losing out on valuable tax benefits.
But before you rush to hit “submit,” let’s take a moment to understand why this matters, who needs to file, and which ITR form is right for you.
Why Filing Your ITR Is More Than Just a Legal Obligation
Filing your ITR isn’t just about ticking a box to stay compliant. It’s a reflection of your financial discipline and a gateway to several benefits:
- Claiming refunds for excess tax deducted at source (TDS)
- Carrying forward losses from capital markets or business
- Establishing financial credibility for loans, visas, and investments
- Avoiding penalties and interest for late filing
Even if your income is below the taxable threshold, filing a return can help you document your financial status- something that’s increasingly important in today’s data-driven economy.
Who Needs to File Today?
The deadline applies to individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and small businesses or professionals whose accounts are not subject to audit under the Income Tax Act. If your income comes from salary, pension, house property, capital gains, or other sources — and your turnover doesn’t exceed the audit threshold — you’re in this category.
The original due date was July 31, 2025, but the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) extended it to September 15 to accommodate changes in ITR forms and system updates. However, no further extension has been announced, so today is truly the last day.
Choosing the Right ITR Form for Non-Audit Cases
Filing the correct ITR form is crucial. Using the wrong one can lead to your return being marked “defective,” which may require re-filing and delay your refund.
Here’s a breakdown of the ITR forms relevant to non-audit taxpayers:
ITR-1 (Sahaj)
Who should use it:
- Resident individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh
- Income from salary, pension, one house property, and other sources (excluding lottery winnings and horse races)
- Agricultural income up to ₹5,000
Who should avoid it:
- Individuals with capital gains
- Income from more than one house property
- Foreign assets or foreign income
- Business or professional income
ITR-2
Who should use it:
- Individuals and HUFs with income from salary, house property, capital gains, and other sources
- Those with foreign assets or income
- Directors in companies or holders of unlisted equity shares
Who should avoid it:
- Taxpayers with income from business or profession
ITR-3
Who should use it:
- Individuals and HUFs with income from business or profession (not under presumptive taxation)
- Partners in firms
Who should avoid it:
- Those eligible for ITR-1, ITR-2, or ITR-4
ITR-4
Who should use it:
- Individuals, HUFs, and firms (other than LLPs) with presumptive income under Sections 44AD, 44ADA, or 44AE
- Turnover up to ₹2 crore for business or ₹50 lakh for profession
Who should avoid it:
- Those with foreign assets or income
- Directors in companies
- Income exceeding ₹50 lakh
What Happens If You Miss Today’s Deadline?
If you don’t file your return by midnight, you can still file a belated return until December 31, 2025. But there’s a catch:
- Penalty of ₹1,000 if your income is below ₹5 lakh
- Penalty of ₹5,000 if your income exceeds ₹5 lakh
- Interest at 1% per month on unpaid taxes
- Loss of benefits like carrying forward losses or switching tax regimes
In short, procrastination comes at a price.
Common MISTAKES to Avoid Today
With the deadline looming, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are a few things to double-check before filing:
- Mismatch in Form 26AS and AIS: Ensure your TDS and income details match across forms
- Choosing the wrong tax regime: Compare old vs. new regimes before finalizing
- Missing out on deductions: Don’t forget to claim eligible deductions under Sections 80C, 80D, etc.
- Incorrect bank details: Refunds can get delayed if your account info is wrong
Filing Tips for a Smooth Experience
- Use the official portal: incometax.gov.in
- Log in with your PAN/Aadhaar
- Choose “e-File > Income Tax Return”
- Select AY 2025–26 and the correct ITR form
- Review pre-filled data and add missing details
- Verify using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or other methods
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Today Slip Away
Filing your ITR isn’t just a chore — it’s a statement of financial responsibility. Whether you’re a salaried employee, a freelancer, or a small business owner, today is your moment to take control of your finances and avoid unnecessary penalties.