Income Tax return filing has only 17 days left before the extended deadline ends, and less than half of the total expected returns have been filed for the assessment year (AY) 2025-26. According to official data released by the Income Tax Department, as of August 25, 2025, a total of 3.67 crore ITRs were filed. Out of these, 3.54 crore have been verified, while 2.29 crore are under process. If you haven’t filed your ITR yet, we recommend that you do so as soon as possible to avoid last-minute hassle.
Here’s everything to know about the ITR filing last date and how to do it online.
The central government had earlier extended the deadline for non-audit taxpayers, salaried individuals, till September 15, 2025. Originally, the due date was July 31. Taxpayers whose accounts require auditing have until October 31, 2025, to complete their filings.
For first-time users, here’s a simple step-by-step process to register on its official e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in).
Step 1: Log in to the e-filing portal: https://www.incometax.gov.in
Step 2: Use your PAN-linked user ID and password. Ensure PAN is active and linked with Aadhaar.
Step 3: Next, go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return
Step 4: Now, select Assessment Year: 2025-26 and choose Online Mode.
Step 5: Select your filing status- Individual/HUF/Others and proceed.
Step 6: Choose the applicable ITR form and enter the required details like income, deductions, and tax details. Confirm all sections before proceeding.
Step 7: If tax is due, use the e-pay Tax service and once done, return to complete the filing.
Step 8: Next, preview and submit. If no tax is due or a refund is applicable, you can directly preview and submit.
Step 9. Confirm the summary of your returns, validate all the details submitted by you and provide your bank account information.
Step 10: Now, verify your return within the time period of 30 days by using Aadhaar OTP, electronic verification code (EVC), or Net Banking. This is the last and most crucial step, as failing to do so may lead to cancellation of ITR filing.
Once the ITR e-filing is done, you can even download a copy of it. Here’s how you can do it.