Missed the September 16 ITR deadline? Here’s how you can still file your return and what it means

Belated ITR rules

Many taxpayers confuse the due date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) with the final deadline. Today's Ask Wallet Wise query decodes belated return for those who missed the September 16 deadline and need to know about the consequences of delay.

Moneycontrol's Ask Wallet Wise initiative offers expert advice on matters of personal finance and money. You can email your queries to askwalletwise@nw18.com, and we will try and get a top financial expert to address your queries.

My father is a senior citizen. His income consists of bank interest, dividends from shares and mutual funds, and capital gains. He is yet to file his ITR for the FY 25. I’m a bit confused. Was 16 September the last date for filing the return, or can he still file it now?

Expert Advice: There are two important dates relevant to ITR filing -the due date and the last date for filing under normal circumstances. Many people assume that the due date is also the final date beyond which an ITR cannot be submitted, which is not correct.

If you miss the due date, you can still file your ITR before the last date. The original due date for filing ITRs for Assessment Year 2025–26 (relevant to FY 2024–25) was 31 July 2025, which was extended by the Income Tax Department to 16 September 2025. Although your father missed this deadline, he can still file a belated return by 31 December 2025, which is the last date under normal provisions.

If he also misses the 31 December deadline, he can file an updated ITR under specified circumstances from 1 April 2026, but that would attract additional interest and tax along with the regular tax payable.

There are, however, certain consequences of missing the due date. For instance: If your father has any losses for the current year that he wishes to carry forward for future set-off, he will no longer be able to do so. He may have to pay interest for the delay if adequate advance tax was not paid.
If he is entitled to a refund, he may lose interest on the refund for the period of delay attributable to him.

A late filing fee will also apply. It is Rs 5,000 if his income exceeds Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 1,000 if his income does not exceed Rs 5 lakh and he is otherwise required to file an ITR.

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