ITR Deadline Extended As Govt Faces Portal Crash
Technical glitches prompt one-day ITR extension to September 16, 2025.
In a last-minute reprieve for taxpayers, the Indian government extended the income tax return (ITR) filing deadline for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26 by one day to September 16, 2025, after technical glitches crippled the e-filing portal on the final day. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) announced the extension late Monday, citing overwhelming traffic that disrupted filings and advance tax payments for the July-September quarter.
The Income Tax Department reported a record-breaking 7.3 crore ITRs filed by September 15, surpassing the previous year’s 7.28 crore for AY 2024-25. “To facilitate further filings of ITRs, the due date has been extended by one day (16th September 2025),” the CBDT stated on X, acknowledging the unprecedented demand on the portal. The extension also covers the deadline for the second quarterly installment of advance tax for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Taxpayers and chartered accountants flooded social media with complaints about the e-filing portal’s performance, reporting issues like inability to log in, upload ITRs, pay taxes, or download the Annual Information Statement (AIS). “The portal is practically unusable on the last day,” tweeted one frustrated user, echoing widespread grievances. The department responded by sharing troubleshooting tips, urging users to clear browser caches or switch browsers. “The e-filing portal is working fine. Please try accessing it through a different browser,” it advised, directing users to email orm@cpc.incometax.gov.in with their PAN, mobile number, and issue details for support.
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Despite these measures, many reported persistent problems. On September 14, the department addressed similar complaints about accessing AIS/TIS, asking affected users to provide their public IP address and contact cmcpc_support@insight.gov.in. To address ongoing issues, the CBDT announced a maintenance window for the e-filing portal from 12:00 AM to 2:30 AM on September 16 to implement necessary updates to the filing utilities.
The ITR filing process for AY 2025-26 has faced challenges since the outset due to significant revisions in the ITR forms, notified in late April and early May. These changes, aimed at streamlining reporting, required updates to both the filing utilities and the backend systems, prompting the government to extend the original July 31 deadline to September 15 earlier this year. The additional one-day extension underscores the scale of technical hurdles as compliance grows.
India’s tax base has been expanding steadily, with ITR filings reflecting this trend. For AY 2024-25, 7.28 crore returns were filed by July 31, 2024, a 7.5% increase from the 6.77 crore filed for AY 2023-24. This growth highlights rising tax compliance but also strains the digital infrastructure, as evidenced by Monday’s disruptions. The CBDT has emphasized its commitment to modernizing the e-filing system, with plans to enhance capacity and user experience in future iterations.
Chartered accountants have called for more robust infrastructure to handle peak filing periods. “The portal crashes every year on the last day. The government must invest in better servers and testing,” said Priya Sharma, a Delhi-based tax professional. Taxpayers, meanwhile, welcomed the extension but urged faster resolution of technical issues. “One day is barely enough when the system keeps failing,” said Mumbai resident Anil Gupta, who struggled to file his return.
The extended deadline applies to individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and entities not requiring an audit for income earned in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Late filings after September 16 will incur penalties, making the extra day critical for those still navigating the beleaguered portal. As India pushes toward a digital-first tax regime, the government faces the challenge of balancing innovation with reliability to support its growing taxpayer base.
