ITR Filing Deadline Today: Step-by-Step Guide and Documents You Must Keep Ready
Today, September 15, 2025, is the last date for filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) for the financial year 2024-25 (assessment year 2025-26). The government has requested all taxpayers to keep all documents relevant to ITR filing ready and ensure they file their returns today by 12 PM in order to avoid penalties and interest charges.
The Income Tax Department had earlier made improvements in the income tax e-filing portal to make the process easier to comply with; however, still, the taxpayers who are filing ITR for the first time and many others find this process complicated and confusing. Here in this article, we have made a comprehensive guide of the step-by-step filing process and a list of key documents to assist such taxpayers.
Step-by-Step Process to File ITR
Below is the comprehensive step-by-step guide to filing an Income Tax Return (ITR):
- Step 1: Visit the official e-filing portal of Income Tax at https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/.
- Step 2: Log in using the required login credentials, such as PAN and Aadhaar number.
- Step 3: Now, on the homepage, select the e-file option from the options given in the blue bar.
- Step 4: Now select the option of Income Tax Returns.
- Step 5: After this, select the assessment year and mode of filing.
- Step 6: In the assessment year, enter 2024-25. Meanwhile, select the option of Online in the Mode of Filing.
- Step 7: Now, you will be required to select one of the different options (Individual, HUF, and Others) for Status Applicable.
- Step 8: Now, select your type of ITR. In this, you will be given seven different options of ITR forms.
- Step 9: After this, you have to choose why you want to file an ITR.
- Step 10: Next, you will need to give details like your personal information, total income, deductions, and tax already paid. Enter these carefully.
Key Documents Taxpayers Must Keep Ready
Below is the list of crucial documents taxpayers must keep ready if they are due to file their ITRs:
Form 16
- Form 16 is a certificate that is given by an employer to their employees. It displays total salary, how much tax was deducted (TDS) and paid to the government during the financial year, and deductions and exemptions claimed. This form helps confirm details from your ITR form. It also shows deductions claimed if you submitted proof. If you are also due to file your ITR, then you should collect Form 16 from your present and previous (if you changed your job in the middle of the financial year) employer(s).
PAN Card
- Taxpayers must ensure their PAN card is linked to their Aadhar card. This ensures a valid return filing.
Form 26A
- Form 26A is a type of certificate used in the income tax system that acts as a consolidated report for a financial year. Form 26AS displays details such as TDS, TCS, and TDS on property sales, etc. Form 26A can be downloaded online from the TRACES portal.
Annual Information Statement (AIS)
- AIS is the latest version introduced by the Income Tax Department. It includes maximum details from Form 26AS and is its comprehensive version. It includes extra details such as interest earned from savings accounts, dividends from shares, buying or selling of stocks and mutual funds, credit card payments, property purchases, and even money sent abroad. Basically, an AIS is a much more comprehensive view of financial transactions or receipts of taxpayers in comparison to Form 26AS. Form 26AS includes details of TDS/TCS from the income/expenditure of the taxpayer during a financial year. AIS is available on the income tax e-filing portal.
Investment Proofs:
- Like fixed deposit slips, PPF account statements, or insurance premium payment receipts.
Home Loan Interest Certificate:
- A document from the bank that shows how much interest you have paid on your home loan (used for claiming tax deduction).
Consequences If You Miss the ITR Deadline
Several times, taxpayers miss their Income Tax Return (ITR) deadline and are not even aware of the possible consequences they may face; therefore, they are not even serious about the due date. Hence, every taxpayer must be aware of all possible consequences.
Section 234F of the Income Tax Act says that if you file your return after the prescribed due date, a late filing fee of Rs. 5,000 will be imposed if your income is more than 5 lakhs. However, if your income is less than or equal to 5 lakh, then you are liable to pay a late fee of Rs. 1,000. By filing ITR every financial year before the due date, one can avoid these penalties and many other adverse consequences. Other than these, under Section 234A, interest is also made applicable at 1 per cent per month on any unpaid tax until the return is filed.
This is also when you miss your ITR filing deadline due to genuine reasons and then file a belated return. The due date for filing a belated return for FY 2024-25 is December 31, 2025. If taxpayers succeed in filing their ITR before the end of the due date but feel like they have made any mistakes in detailing, they can file an updated return (ITR-U) by March 31, 2030.
