The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has granted taxpayers additional time to submit audit reports for the 2024–25 financial year, extending the deadline by one month to October 31, 2025. The earlier deadline was September 30, 2025.
Smooth Functioning of e-Filing Portal
In its statement on September 25, the CBDT clarified that the Income Tax e-filing portal remains stable and glitch-free, enabling seamless submission of statutory forms and audit reports. As of September 23, more than 7.57 crore income tax returns (ITRs) had already been filed, while by September 24, about 4.02 lakh tax audit reports had been uploaded, with over 60,000 filed on that day alone.
Why the Extension Was Granted
The extension comes after multiple representations from professional associations, including chartered accountant bodies, who cited genuine challenges faced by taxpayers and practitioners. Key reasons included:
-
Floods and natural calamities disrupting normal business operations in several regions.
-
Difficulties flagged before various High Courts regarding timely completion of audit reports.
Taking these concerns into account, CBDT decided to push the “specified date” for filing audit reports to October 31, 2025, applicable under all relevant provisions of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, for Assessment Year 2025–26.
Recent Developments in ITR Filing
Earlier this month, the department had briefly extended the deadline for individuals not requiring audited accounts by one day due to portal issues. By September 16, over 7.54 crore ITRs had been filed, with 1.28 crore taxpayers paying self-assessment tax.
What This Means for Taxpayers
The extension offers relief to businesses and professionals in regions affected by natural calamities, ensuring sufficient time to complete audits and upload reports without rushing. However, the CBDT has emphasized that the portal continues to function without technical glitches, reassuring taxpayers that submissions can be made smoothly ahead of the new deadline.