ITR filing: Over 6 crore returns submitted so far; September 15 deadline looms for taxpayers

The Income Tax Department has received more than six crore income tax returns (ITRs) for assessment year 2025-26, it said on Saturday."Thank you taxpayers & tax professionals for helping us reach the milestone of 6 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) as of now and still counting," the department posted on X.The deadline to file returns without incurring a penalty is September 15.The department also added that its helpdesk is working round the clock to guide taxpayers with filing, payments and other related services. Assistance is being provided through calls, live chat, WebEx sessions and X. The department also appealed to those yet to file to do so promptly and avoid the last-minute rush.In May, the deadline for assessment year 2025-26, covering income earned in financial year 2024-25, was extended from July 31 to September 15, PTI reported. The relaxation was granted for individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) and other non-audit entities after "structural and content revisions" were introduced in ITR forms in late April and early May. These revisions required adjustments to filing utilities and back-end systems.ITR submissions have been climbing steadily over recent years. For AY 2024-25, a record 7.28 crore returns were filed by July 31, 2024, up from 6.77 crore the previous year, marking a 7.5% annual increase.