The Income Tax Department has issued a categorical clarification denying any further extension of the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for Assessment
Year 2025-26. The department’s response came after a fabricated press release, styled as an official notification from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), went viral on social media on September 14, 2025. In its advisory on X (formerly Twitter), the Income Tax Department wrote: “A fake news is in circulation stating that the due date of filing ITRs (originally July 31, 2025, and extended to September 15, 2025) has been further extended to September 30, 2025. The due date for filing ITRs remains 15.09.2025.” Officials urged taxpayers to rely solely on updates published through @IncomeTaxIndia or the department’s website, warning against acting on unverified forwards. The counterfeit note, bearing a 'Press Release' heading and marked with the CBDT insignia, claimed to explain the rationale behind an alleged extension. It read: “The notified ITRs for AY 2025-26 have undergone structural and content revisions aimed at simplifying compliance, enhancing transparency, and enabling accurate reporting. These changes have necessitated additional time for system development, integration, and testing of the corresponding utilities.”
It went on to state:
“In view of the extensive changes introduced in the notified ITRs and considering the time required for system readiness and rollout of Income Tax Return (ITR) utilities for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has decided to extend the due date for filing returns. Accordingly, to facilitate a smooth and convenient filing experience for taxpayers, it has been decided that the due date for filing of ITRs, originally due on 14th Sep, 2025, is extended to 30th September, 2025.”The forged document, signed under the name of V. Rajitha, Commissioner of Income Tax (Media & Technical Policy) & Official Spokesperson, CBDT, gave the impression of an authentic departmental order, further fuelling confusion among assessees.
Tax practitioners emphasised that the official deadline for filing ITRs remains September 15, 2025, and there has been no notification of any relaxation beyond that date. The department also highlighted that its helpdesk continues to operate round-the-clock, offering support via calls, live chat, WebEx sessions, and through Twitter/X to assist taxpayers with return filing, tax payment, and related services.
Authorities reiterated that circulating or acting upon unverified messages can lead to compliance issues and potential penalties. Taxpayers are encouraged to complete their filings well in advance of the deadline to avoid last-minute rush or technical glitches, as the department has clearly indicated that no further extension has been announced.
