In what many taxpayers sees as a welcome relief, the Indian government has extend the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for Assessment Year 2025-26 to 16 September 2025. Though 15 September was plan as the last date, over 7.3 crore returns had already been filed by then a record high.

What prompted this extra day? As the final hours was approaching, many taxpayers reported issue accessing or using the e-filing portal: delay in uploading documents, difficulty making advance tax payments, and general glitch. While SEBI’s portal it is not under same purview, the Income Tax Department acknowledge that some of these concern stems from local browser/device setting, not full system outages. They ask filers to try simple remedy: clear browser cache, use update browser, or switch to incognito mode.

There was also earlier shift: the original ITR deadline had been 31 July 2025, but was already pushed to 15 September due necessary revision in ITR forms, which require backend changes during April–May.

For those who still misses the revised deadline, there’s option to file belated return until 31 December 2025, though with financial consequence. Late fees under Section 234F applied ₹1,000 for incomes up to ₹5 lakh; ₹5,000 for higher income. Also, delays may mean interest on unpaid tax and loss of some tax-benefit carry forwards.

All in all, giving that extra day were a response to real frustration among filers and a signal that administrative system must stays responsive under pressure.