ITR Filing 2025 Last Day: Facing Portal Glitches Today? Condonation Requests Can Waive Late Fees | Tax News

News18

ITR Filing 2025 Last Date: The income tax department has granted a one-day relaxation by September 16 to non-audit taxpayers to file their income tax return (ITR) for the financial year 2024-25 (Assessment year 2025-26). The relaxation came after the portal suffered glitches and technical problems and several CAs demanded that the due date be extended for filing the return.

“The due date for filing of income tax returns (ITRs) for AY 2025-26, originally due on July 31, 2025, was extended to September 15, 2025. The CBDT has decided to further extend the due date for filing these ITRs for AY 2025-26 from September 15, 2025, to September 16, 2025,” the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a late-night circular.

The tax department also updated that over 7 crore ITRs were filed by September 15.

Despite this extension, there may be a possibility that some taxpayers aren’t able to file their returns, given the website glitches and technical problems.

By chance, if taxpayers won’t be able to file their returns once the due date is over, they are required to file the belated return, which comes with a clause of penalty. However, the condonation of delay feature allows taxpayers to avoid the penalty.

In cases of genuine hardship, taxpayers can file a Condonation Request under Section 119(2)(b) of the Income Tax Act. If the competent Income Tax Authority accepts the request, the taxpayer is not required to pay any additional tax, interest, or penalty. This provision acts as a special relief, allowing taxpayers to regularize their delayed Income Tax Return (ITR) filing without facing financial consequences.

Avnish Arora, Executive Director, Direct, Tax, Forvis Mazars India. explains that screenshots that show what issues were associated with the portal can be part of the supporting documentation when requesting condonation of delay in filing the Income Tax Return. “These screenshots help show that the taxpayer was making a genuine effort to file the return on time, but was experiencing technical problems that were beyond their control,” he adds.

He further states that proper documentation of the timeline further supports the case for condonation, thereby increasing the chances of obtaining relief. “The representation for condonation should specifically outline the issue experienced, what attempts were made to correct the issue, and all supporting documentation should be submitted in conjunction with your representation,” he says.

Arora, however, cautions that acceptance of a condonation request is not assured, as it rests entirely with the discretion of the Income Tax Department.

“The Department may allow such requests only if the reasons for delay are found to be genuine and satisfactory. Nevertheless, in certain instances, some Courts have taken a favourable view and condoned the delay, even where the Department had earlier rejected the assessee’s request looking into the facts, circumstances and reasons for delay,” he adds.

CA Sonu Jain, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, 9Point Capital, also urges taxpayers to document the attempt with screenshots for a stronger case for condonation later if they can’t file today due to technical issues.