ITR Filing Deadlines, Penalties, and Late Filing Rules for FY 2024-25
For the financial year 2024-25, people who don’t need a tax audit must file their income tax return (ITR) by September 16, 2025. If you miss this date, the government can charge you extra interest (under Section 234A) and a late fee of up to Rs 5,000 under Section 234F. But don’t worry, you can still file your return even after the due date. This late return is called a belated return, and you can submit it until December 31, 2025.
For the financial year 2024-25, people who don’t need a tax audit now have time until September 16, 2025 to file their income tax return. If you miss this date, you may lose certain deductions and benefits, and you will also have to pay late fees and interest. Even then, you can still file your return as a belated return until December 31, 2025. For the next year, FY 2025-26, the last date for non-audit taxpayers to file their return is July 31, 2026.
ITR Filing Due Dates for Different Taxpayers for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)
| Category of Taxpayer | Due Date for Tax Filing – FY 2024-25 (unless extended) |
| Individual / HUF/ AOP/ BOI (books of accounts not required to be audited) | September 16, 2025 |
| Businesses (Requiring Audit | December 10, 2025 |
| Businesses requiring transfer pricing reports (in case of international/specified domestic transactions) | November 30, 2025 |
| Revised return | December 31, 2025 |
| Belated/late return | December 31, 2025 |
| Updated return | March 31, 2030 (4 years from the end of the relevant Assessment Year) |
For FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)
| Category of Taxpayer | Due Date for Tax Filing – FY 2025-26 (unless extended) |
| Individual / HUF/ AOP/ BOI (books of accounts not required to be audited) | July 31, 2026 |
| Businesses (Requiring Audit) | October 31, 2026 |
| Businesses requiring transfer pricing reports (in case of international/specified domestic transactions) | November 30, 2026 |
| Revised return | December 31, 2026 |
| Belated/late return | December 31, 2026 |
| Updated return | March 31, 2030 (4 years from the end of the relevant Assessment Year) |
If the updated return deadline is also over, then you can’t file your ITR on your own anymore. After that, you can file it only if the Income Tax Department sends you a notice asking you to do so.
Can I Submit My ITR Late?
If you miss the ITR filing due date, you can still file a belated return up to December 31st of the assessment year. If you even miss that, you still get one more chance; you can file an updated return within 48 months (4 years) from the end of that assessment year.
Belated Return
If you miss the original ITR filing deadline, you can still file your Belated Return under Section 139(4). You can file it until December 31 of the assessment year, but you’ll have to pay late fees and interest. For FY 2024-25, this late filing deadline is December 31, 2025.
Updated Return
In case you miss the December 31 deadline due to unavoidable reasons, you still have another chance file an updated return (ITR-U). The last date for filing an updated return is 48 months from the end of the relevant assessment year. For financial year 2024-25, the due date for filing an updated return is March 31, 2030.
Penalties and Consequences of Missing the ITR Filing Deadline
Interest: If you file your return after the deadline, you will have to pay 1% interest per month (or even for part of a month) on whatever tax you still owe. This interest is charged under Section 234A.
Penalty: If you file your ITR late, you have to pay a late fee under Section 234F:
- Rs 5,000 if your total income is more than Rs 5 lakh.
- Rs 1,000 if your total income is Rs 5 lakh or less.
Carry forward of losses: According to income tax rules, if you make a loss in the current year, like a loss from selling property, shares, mutual funds, or even a business loss, you can carry it forward to future years and use it to reduce your future tax. However, this benefit is available only if you file your ITR on time. If you miss the due date, you lose the right to carry forward these losses.
Damage Your Image: Filing your tax return late can also affect your overall financial image. Banks may delay or even reject your loan applications because late filing shows poor financial discipline. It can also create problems during visa processing, as many countries ask for timely ITRs to check your financial status.
