Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sept 7: As the September 15 deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for individuals approaches, more than 4.56 crore taxpayers have already submitted their returns, with the pace of filings picking up rapidly.

Senior officials from the Income Tax Department have urged taxpayers not to delay filing till the last moment, cautioning that last-minute submissions often result in technical issues and inconvenience.

Easy Online Filing Process

The department has simplified the return filing process. Individuals can submit their ITRs easily by following these steps:

1. Visit: incometax.gov.in  
2. Log in using PAN/Aadhaar and password
3. Navigate to → e-File > Income Tax Return > File Income Tax Return
4. Select Assessment Year (AY) 2025–26
5. Choose the appropriate ITR form
6. Review pre-filled information (salary, interest, TDS, etc.)
7. Enter any additional income or deductions and select your tax regime (Old or New)
8. Submit your return

Which ITR Form Should You Use?

For non-audit individual taxpayers in AY 2025–26, the applicable ITR forms include:

• ITR-1 (Sahaj) – For salaried individuals earning income from salary, pension, or other sources (excluding capital gains/business income)
• ITR-2 – For individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) with income from sources like capital gains, house property, or foreign assets, but no business or professional income

Late Filing Comes at a Cost

Taxpayers who miss the deadline will incur penalties:

• Rs 5,000 late fee for delayed returns
• Rs 1,000 late fee if total income is below Rs 5 lakh
• 1% monthly interest on unpaid tax liability

Timely filing also avoids delays in refunds and ensures smoother processing.

ITR Filings on the Rise

The I-T department has noted a strong growth trend in return filings:

• AY 2024–25: 7.28 crore returns filed (as of July 31, 2024)
• AY 2023–24: 6.77 crore returns filed
• This marks a 7.5% year-on-year growth, driven by increased compliance and expanding tax base

Between AY 2022–23 and AY 2024–25, ITR filings have surged by over 25%, according to CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) data.

With just over a week left, the department continues to encourage early filing to avoid the rush and ensure timely processing.