AY 2025-26 ITR Filing Guide – What You Need to Know

If you’re a non‑audit taxpayer, the clock is already ticking. The Income Tax Department has pushed the filing deadline for Assessment Year 2025‑26 to September 15 after a short CBDT extension. Miss that date and you’ll face a Section 234F penalty of up to ₹5,000 plus 1% monthly interest on any tax you still owe. The good news? You don’t need a chartered accountant to get it done – a few taps on your phone can finish the job.

Key Dates and Extensions

Here’s the timeline in plain English:

• Sept 15, 2024 – Final deadline for regular returns.
• Dec 31, 2025 – Last day to submit belated or revised returns.
• Late filing after Sept 15 triggers a flat ₹5,000 penalty (or 0.5% of tax payable, whichever is higher) and interest.

Future extensions are unlikely; the Finance Ministry has signaled that this is the last push. So mark your calendar and set a reminder now.

How to File Your Return on a Smartphone

Most tax filing platforms now offer mobile‑friendly interfaces. Follow these steps:

1. Download the official Income Tax Mobile App or a trusted third‑party app.
2. Log in with your PAN and OTP.
3. The app will pull pre‑filled data from Form 26AS – verify it against your records.
4. Enter any missing details like deductions under Section 80C, 80D, etc.
5. Review the tax liability, pay any balance if required, and submit.
6. Save the acknowledgment (ITR‑V) on your device; you’ll need it for future reference.

All of this can be done without a CA, provided your income sources are straightforward – salary, interest, or a single business line. Complex cases with multiple capital gains or foreign assets still benefit from professional help.

Keep an eye on the app’s server status; occasional glitches have been reported after the deadline rush. If you hit a roadblock, try the web portal or wait a few minutes before retrying.

Once you’ve filed, the system usually sends a provisional acknowledgment within 24 hours. The final processing may take a few weeks, during which the tax department cross‑checks the information.

Remember, filing early gives you the flexibility to correct mistakes before the final due date. It also avoids the panic of last‑minute uploads and reduces the chance of incurring the late‑filing penalty.

In summary, the AY 2025‑26 filing window is short but manageable. Use the mobile app, double‑check your pre‑filled data, pay any balance, and hit submit before September 15. If you’re late, act fast to limit penalties and pay the interest. And don’t forget you still have until December 31, 2025 to file a belated return if you missed the first deadline.