As the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITRs) approaches, the Income Tax Department reported on Saturday that over six crore tax returns have been submitted so far. With only two days left to file without incurring a penalty, the urgency among taxpayers is evident, highlighting the critical nature of the upcoming September 15 deadline.
The department has not announced any extension for the filing deadline, prompting many individuals to rush to complete their returns. This surge in filings is reflected in the real-time updates shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Income Tax Department, which also highlighted that their helpdesk is available 24/7 to assist taxpayers.
In an announcement made via social media, the department thanked taxpayers and tax professionals for contributing to this significant milestone of six crore filed returns, with figures still on the rise. The post urged those who have yet to file to do so promptly to avoid a last-minute crush of submissions.
The 24/7 helpdesk aims to provide comprehensive support for ITR filing, tax payments, and related services through various channels including phone calls, live chats, WebEx sessions, and social media interactions. Emphasizing the importance of timely submissions, the department encouraged taxpayers to maintain the momentum of this year’s filing process.
This year has seen an extension in the ITR filing deadline, moving from the traditional July 31 to September 15, which has provided much-needed relief for taxpayers nationwide. The extension was attributed to necessary “structural and content revisions” in the income tax return forms, changes that were notified in late April and early May.
The upward trend in income tax filings is notable, with year-on-year increases in submitted returns. For the assessment year 2024-25, a record 7.28 crore ITRs were filed by the previous deadline last July, an increase from 6.77 crore filings in the assessment year 2023-24. This growth underscores an increasing compliance rate among taxpayers, reflecting a broader trend of improving tax administration in the country.
