ITR Filing Deadline FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26): Key Dates

Income tax return filing is a financial responsibility and duty of the taxpayers. It facilitates them in publishing their income, investments, tax dedications, and expenses. Section 139 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 makes it mandatory for every individual and entity to file an income tax return if their income exceeds the non-taxable threshold. Taxpayers must know the income tax return filing last date FY 2024-25 to claim tax refunds and avoid penalties.

The Income Tax ITR filing last date is the date by which a taxpayer can file their income tax return without attracting any penalty or late fees.

When is the Last Date to File ITR for FY 2024-25?

For Individuals: For FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26), 31st July 2025 is the income tax filing last date for individual taxpayers, Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), Association of Persons (AOP), and Body of Individuals (BOI). Filing the income tax before this deadline will not attract late fees and interest from the Income Tax Department. Avail income tax e-filing service for smooth and error-free filing of ITR for AY 2025-26.

For Businesses: For FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26), 15th November 2025 is the last date to file ITR for businesses that require an audit. 30th November 2025 is the income tax return filing last date for businesses that need transfer pricing reports.

In case, you miss the original last date to file ITR for FY 2024-25, you can file a belated return/late return by 31st December 2025.

ITR Filing Start Date for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)

The ITR filing start date for FY 2024-25 is 1st April 2025. While the start date is the same for everyone, the last date to file ITR is different for individuals and businesses. Head to the next section to know the ITR last date for individuals and entities.

Due Dates for Filing Income Tax Return for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)

Benefits of Filing Income Tax Return on Time

When you file an ITR within the specified timeline, you act in the interest of the government. Fulfilling this legal and financial obligation enables the government to plan strategically for the development of the country.

The following are the benefits of IT return filing before the due date:

1. Eligible to Claim Tax Refund

   If there Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) is deducted from your investment and if you have paid extra tax, then you are eligible to get a refund from the income tax department. However, you can claim this refund only when you file an ITR before the due date. It is advisable to use an income tax calculator to accurately access the tax obligations and so tax refund.
   Suppose, you are unemployed and have invested your savings in fixed deposits. The bank deducts 10% TDS at maturity. However, as you are unemployed and fall in the tax slab with no tax liability, thus you are not eligible for a tax deduction. To claim the tax refund it is mandatory to file ITR before 31st July 2025.

2. Avoid Late Penalties and Fees

   The biggest advantage of filing ITR before the last due is the avoidance of late filing fines under the Income Tax Act 1961.
   Missing the income tax return last date attracts an interest of 1% monthly on outstanding tax liability. Interest penalty increases as the delay in return filing increases.

3. Easy Document Processing

   When you apply for a home loan, personal loan, or vehicle loan, you have to submit a few documents to the bank. One of these is the income tax returns of the last three financial years. ITRs serve as proof of your stable income over a period of time. Banks access your repayment capability based on ITRs. Filing the income tax return before the due date sets your credibility, thus making the loan approval easy.
   If you are planning to apply for a VISA in the future, it is advisable to file an income tax return before the deadline. At the time of VISA processing, it is mandatory to provide income tax returns as these documents indicate your financial stability. When an individual files an ITR. he lists down the complete income details and sources of income. The details in ITR receipts are much more detailed than in Form 16.
   The income tax return is one of the necessary documents to submit when applying for a credit card, as it serves as income proof during a financial year. Credit card companies access your creditworthiness based on it. So if you want to apply for a credit card in the future, start filing an income tax return before the last date.

4. Carry Forward The Loss

   As a business owner, filing the income tax returns before the deadline facilitates you to carry forward the business losses incurred during the year to the subsequent years. As a result, your tax liability is reduced in the following years.

Consequences of Missing the Income Tax Filing Last Date

If you missed the last date to fill ITR, then you will have to bear the following consequences:

1. Pay Interest

   When you file the ITR after the deadline, you will be liable to pay the interest on the unpaid tax amount. You will attract the interest of 1% per month as per Section 234A of the Income Tax Act 1961.

2. Pay Late Fee

   When you miss the last date to file an ITR, you have to pay the late filing fee. Section 234F of the Income Tax Act 1961 deals with late fees. There is a late fee of Rs 5,000 in case of late filing. If the total income is less than Rs. 5 Lakh, the late fee amounts to Rs.1,000.

3. Ineligible for Loss Adjustment

   When you file the ITR before the due date, you can carry forward the loss, incurred from the stock market, mutual funds, properties, or any of your businesses, to the subsequent year. This reduces the tax liability in the following years. However, you become ineligible for loss adjustments when you miss the deadline to file ITR.

What If You Missed ITR Filing Deadline?

Belated ITR

The late ITR you file after missing the last date is called Belated ITR. The last date to file a belated ITR for the financial year 2024-25 is 31st December 2025 (unless extended by the government). However, you have to pay the interest and late fees, and you will not be eligible to carry forward the losses to the subsequent years.

Updated Return

Due to uncertainty, if you missed the belated ITR deadline, you can file the Updated Return, subject to certain conditions.

Key Due Dates of Advance Tax Installment Payment for FY 2024-25

Important dates for paying advance tax are:

Key Due Dates for TDS Payment for FY 2024-25

TDS which stands for Tax Deduction at Source is income tax deducted from the money paid in making specified payments like rent, professional fees, salary, commission, etc. A person who is making such payments bears the TDS.

The due dates for TDS payment and filing TDS return for the financial year 2024-25 are as follows:

Important Due Dates for TCS Payment for FY 2024-25

TCS which stands for Tax Deducted at Source is the tax which the seller collects from the buyer on the sale of specified items. The seller deposits this tax to the Government. For the TCS amount collected by the seller in a month, he must deposit it to the government within 7 days after the month's end. For the tax collected during the quarter, sellers are required to fill out Form 27EQ to submit quarterly TCS returns. Form 27D is issued as the certificate to sellers who file TCS returns.

The below table lists the due dates to file the TCS return for FY 2024-25:

The Final Words

Income tax filing is an annual activity. It not only helps the country to grow but it helps you on many fronts. It is a good idea to file an ITR on time to avail of benefits like easy home loan approval, term life insurance, and many more.

If you are a taxpayer make sure you don’t miss the income tax return filing last date for FY 2024-25 which is 31st July 2025 for individuals, 15th November for business (audit required), and 30th November 2025 for business (transfer pricing report required). In case you missed the last date to file ITR for AY 2025-26, you can file it by 31st December 2025 with the interest and late fees.

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