he Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Tuesday extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year 2025-26 from July 31 to September 15. This extension gives taxpayers extra time to comply with the revised filing requirements introduced this year.

While taxpayers may file their returns anytime before the new deadline, tax experts recommend waiting until mid-June before submitting the return. “Form 16 and Form 16A, which are certificates of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), are mandatorily issued by employers and deductors by June 15 every year,” explains CA (Dr.) Suresh Surana.

Although possessing these forms is not legally mandatory to file your return, they are essential for verifying income and tax credits accurately. “Along with Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS)/Tax Information Statement (TIS) available on the income tax portal, these documents allow taxpayers to cross-check income details such as salary, interest income, professional fees, and TDS deductions,” adds Surana.

Any discrepancies between the information in your return and these official documents can lead to notices from the Income Tax Department, delayed refunds, or even scrutiny. Therefore, while early filing is allowed, experts advise ensuring full reconciliation with all relevant forms before submitting your ITR.

The CBDT’s extension comes at a crucial time, as it follows significant structural and content changes in the notified ITR forms for AY 2025-26. These changes are designed to simplify compliance, improve transparency, and enable more accurate reporting. The additional time has also allowed for thorough system development, integration, and testing of the new filing utilities.

Moreover, since TDS credits, reflected in the statements due by May 31, start appearing only from early June onwards, taxpayers would have had a very narrow window to file accurate returns without errors.

This extension is expected to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the tax filing process, giving taxpayers the breathing space needed to prepare complete and error-free returns, while also allowing the tax department adequate time to manage the new filing systems.

While it may be tempting to file your return as soon as possible, waiting until after mid-June to gather and verify all necessary documents is the wiser choice. Doing so reduces the risk of mistakes, prevents compliance headaches, and ensures a smoother, hassle-free tax filing experience. With the September 15 deadline in place, taxpayers now have the luxury of time to get their paperwork right and file with confidence.