ITR Deadline Extension Hinges on Portal Stability in Next 10–15 Days
With ITR filing below 50%, tax pros warn further deadline extension may hinge on system recovery in next fortnight.
Income Tax Return Deadline May Shift—CA Cites Portal Crashes, Mismatch Issues
Key developments first.
With just 17 days left before the ITR filing deadline of September 15, 2025, chartered accountants—including the Chandigarh Chartered Taxation Association (CCATAX)—are demanding a further extension†. Their plea comes amid widespread technical problems on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal.
What's driving the demand?
Professionals point to persistent server crashes, session time-outs, data mismatches between AIS and Form 26AS, and a broad range of technical glitches, which are delaying accurate filings. These stem from a late rollout of ITR forms and utilities by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)—issues initially cited when the deadline was moved from July 31 to September 15 in May†.
Filing progress and shortfall.
As of August 28, 2025, more than 3.90 crore ITRs had been filed, with 3.72 crore verified and nearly 2.47 crore processed, according to the government portal†. But the target remains distant—over 9.1 crore returns were filed in the previous year for FY 2023-24, meaning less than 50 % of expected filings are complete.
Expert insight.
Dinkar Sharma, Company Secretary and partner at Jotwani Associates, warns of a dangerous lag. “Persistent technical glitches, the complexity of new ITR formats, and delays in TDS documentation, under festival-season and audit-prep pressure, are slowing things down — and taxpayers are feeling squeezed.”
Will an extension happen?
Pressure is mounting from professional bodies, the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and tax practitioners alike. For now, no official CBDT notification has confirmed a second extension†. But further delay remains possible if troubles persist.
What lies ahead?
“The likelihood of extension will depend on how the next 10–15 days unfold,” Sharma says. If filing volumes stay low and portal instability continues, the government may act—CBDT historically responds to system-wide disruptions with relief measures.
Bottom line.
The clock is ticking. Filing remains under 50 %, technical hurdles are unresolved, and taxpayers are uneasy. With cascading obligations looming—from advance tax payments to GST filings—any further extension must be carefully weighed against broader compliance schedules.
