ITR

The Income Tax Department of India is currently grappling with a backlog of over 24 lakh pending returns, highlighting operational pressures during the ongoing filing season. While electronic filing has streamlined tax submission, delays in processing have raised concerns among taxpayers awaiting refunds and verification. Officials attribute the backlog to high volumes, procedural checks, and validation of complex cases. Analysts note that timely processing is critical for maintaining public confidence, ensuring liquidity for taxpayers, and supporting fiscal transparency.

India is preparing to introduce a redesigned set of income tax return (ITR) forms by the financial year 2027–28 as part of the broader implementation of the Income Tax Act, 2025. The move aims to simplify compliance, enhance transparency, and integrate technology-led reporting mechanisms for individuals and businesses. With the government working to modernize the country’s tax architecture, the updated framework is expected to streamline disclosures, reduce duplication, and improve data consistency across financial systems.

In a significant relief for taxpayers and chartered accountants, the Rajasthan High Court has directed authorities to extend the due date for tax audit report submissions to October 31, 2025. The decision comes amid mounting concerns from tax professionals over technical glitches, compliance pressure, and limited preparation time. This extension aims to ease the burden on businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, by granting them additional time to reconcile accounts and ensure accurate reporting.

As India’s tax filing deadline nears, more than 7 crore income tax returns (ITRs) have been submitted, reflecting strong compliance among taxpayers. However, several users reported technical glitches on the official e-filing platform, causing delays and errors in submission. Tax authorities are urging filers to remain patient and utilize multiple channels, including offline and assisted e-filing options, to meet the deadline.

The Income Tax Department has officially enabled online filing for ITR-2 for the assessment year 2024–25, providing a streamlined avenue for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) with income from sources beyond salary or pension. This development marks a key milestone in the ongoing digitization of India’s tax infrastructure, making it more convenient for taxpayers with capital gains, multiple properties, or foreign assets to file returns efficiently.

In a move aimed at easing the compliance burden on taxpayers, India’s Income Tax Department has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year 2025–26 from July 31 to September 15, 2025. The extension applies to individuals and entities not subject to mandatory audits. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) cited major structural changes in the ITR forms and the need for adequate system preparation as key reasons for the deferment.