ITR 2025–26: Every Deadline You Must Know
It's time to start thinking about filing your income tax return for FY 2025–26. Whether you're a salaried employee, a freelancer, or a business owner, missing the ITR deadline can cost you money in penalties and interest. Here are all the key dates and what you need to do before each one passes.
Missing the ITR deadline by even one day can cost you up to ₹5,000 in late filing fees — that's roughly 50 cups of chai at your favourite tapri or a full month of your Netflix + Spotify combo. Don't let the taxman take your entertainment budget.
If you miss the July 31 deadline, you could pay up to ₹5,000 in late filing fees plus 1% monthly interest on any outstanding tax — money that could have stayed in your savings account.
Key Takeaways
Mark July 31, 2025 as your primary ITR deadline if you are salaried or have income from other sources not requiring a tax audit — file before this date to avoid any late fee under Section 234F.
If your accounts need a tax audit (typically business owners with turnover above ₹1 crore or professionals above ₹50 lakh), your deadline is October 31, 2025 — start gathering your books and CA documents now.
Even if you miss the main deadline, you can still file a belated return by December 31, 2025, but you will owe a late fee of up to ₹5,000 plus interest on any unpaid tax — so filing early always saves you real money.
The income tax return filing season for FY 2025–26 (Assessment Year 2026–27) is officially underway, and knowing your exact deadlines can save you thousands of rupees in unnecessary penalties.
For most salaried individuals, pensioners, and taxpayers whose income comes from salary, house property, or other sources not requiring an audit, the due date to file your ITR is July 31, 2025. This is the most important date on your tax calendar. Filing before this deadline means zero late fees, the ability to carry forward capital losses to offset future gains, and a faster refund if one is due to you.
Business owners and professionals whose books of accounts require a statutory tax audit under Section 44AB have a later deadline of October 31, 2025. This category typically covers businesses with annual turnover above ₹1 crore and professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and consultants earning above ₹50 lakh. If a transfer pricing report is also involved, the deadline extends further to November 30, 2025.
Missed the deadline? You can still file a belated return under Section 139(4) until December 31, 2025. However, this comes with a late filing fee of ₹1,000 if your total income is below ₹5 lakh, or ₹5,000 if it is above that. You will also owe interest at 1% per month on any unpaid tax under Section 234A. The cost of delay adds up fast.
To make filing easier this year, keep your Form 16, bank interest certificates, investment proofs, and AIS (Annual Information Statement) ready before you sit down to file. Apps like GoCredit can also help you stay on top of your financial picture — from tracking loan EMIs to planning your tax-saving investments ahead of time. Pro tip: file in the first two weeks of July, not on July 31 — the income tax portal tends to slow down significantly as the deadline approaches.
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