The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has announced an extension for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year 2025-26. The new deadline is now set for December 10, 2025, moving from the original date of October 31, 2025. This extension applies to corporates and other assessees required to have their accounts audited.

In addition to the ITR filing deadline, the CBDT has also extended the due date for submitting audit reports for the Previous Year 2024-25. Initially due on September 30, 2025, the deadline has been pushed to November 10, 2025. A formal notification regarding these changes will be issued soon.

The decision to extend these deadlines comes after industry representatives highlighted challenges faced due to natural calamities, which have disrupted normal business operations. The CBDT aims to ease compliance during this busy tax season, allowing taxpayers more time to meet their obligations without incurring penalties.

Under Section 139(1) of the Income Tax Act, filing is mandatory for individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), companies, and firms whose income exceeds the basic exemption limit. This limit is set at Rs 3 lakh for individuals below 60 years, Rs 3 lakh for those aged 60-80 years, and Rs 5 lakh for those above 80 years. All companies and firms, including Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), must file returns regardless of profit or loss.

Taxpayers are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors to ensure compliance with the new deadlines and to avoid any potential penalties. The CBDT continues to monitor and adjust tax deadlines to facilitate a smoother filing process for all taxpayers.