Typically, the ITR filing process begins on April 1 of the assessment year. Accordingly, for FY 2024–25, filing should have opened on April 1, 2025. However, this year, there has been a delay, and the process is now expected to begin in June 2025. 

Filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) is a vital responsibility for every taxpayer in India. It ensures compliance with the law and involves declaring all sources of income, claiming eligible deductions and reporting tax liabilities to the Income Tax Department.  

For the Financial Year 2024–25 (Assessment Year 2025–26), the deadline for non-audit taxpayers to file their ITR is 31st July 2025. Failing to do so can lead to penalties and interest charges—but provisions do exist for belated or revised filings. 

Start date for filing ITR
Typically, the ITR filing process begins on April 1 of the assessment year. Accordingly, for FY 2024–25, filing should have opened on April 1, 2025. However, this year, there has been a delay, and the process is now expected to begin in June 2025. The delay is due to non availability of online corresponding utilities for ITR forms 

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has already notified the relevant ITR forms—ITR-1 to ITR-7—thereby officially kicking off the tax season for AY 2025–26. Taxpayers are required to report income earned between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025 using these forms. 

Last date to file ITR
The last date for non-audit taxpayers to file their ITR for FY 2024–25 is 31st July 2025. If this deadline is missed, a belated return can still be filed by 31st December 2025, albeit with penalties and interest. 

Income Tax Filing Due Dates for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)

Consequences of missing the deadline
Interest charges
Under Section 234A, if you file your return after the deadline, you’re liable to pay interest at 1% per month (or part thereof) on any unpaid tax.

Late filing fee
Section 234F imposes a late fee for delayed filing:

• Rs 5,000 if total income exceeds Rs 5 lakh
• Rs 1,000 if total income is up to Rs 5 lakh

Loss adjustment
Losses from sources such as the stock market, mutual funds, or business activities can typically be carried forward to offset future income. However, this benefit is not available if the return is not filed by the due date. 

Belated return
You can still file your ITR after the due date as a belated return, subject to the same penalties and interest. While deductions and exemptions can still be claimed, losses cannot be carried forward. The deadline for filing a belated return is 31st December 2025, unless extended by the government. 

Updated return
If you miss even the belated return deadline, you can still file an updated return (ITR-U) under specific conditions set by the Income Tax Department.

Filed with errors? File a revised return
If you’ve already filed your return and later discover a mistake, you can file a revised return. This allows you to correct errors or omissions. The deadline for revising returns for FY 2024–25 is also 31st December 2025. 

Example
Mr. X files his return on 30th June 2025. On 1st August, he realises he forgot to claim some deductios. He can revise and re-file the return anytime up to 31st December 2025.

Financial Year (FY) vs. Assessment Year (AY)
To understand tax filing timelines, it’s essential to differentiate between the Financial Year (FY) and Assessment Year (AY):

• Financial Year (FY) is the year in which income is earned.
• Assessment Year (AY) is the year following the FY, in which the income is assessed and taxed.

Income earned from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 falls in FY 2024–25. This income will be assessed in AY 2025–26, which runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Timely ITR filing is crucial not just to avoid penalties but also to ensure you’re able to claim all legitimate deductions and carry forward losses. With the process for AY 2025–26 expected to begin in June 2025, taxpayers should stay updated and begin compiling necessary documents to avoid last-minute hassles.