The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has announced an extension for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) and audit reports for the assessment year 2025–26. Taxpayers can now file their audit reports by November 10 and submit their ITRs by December 10. The move comes as a relief to taxpayers and professionals who were finding it difficult to meet the earlier deadlines.
Initially, the deadline for filing tax audit reports was September 30, later extended to October 31, 2025. The CBDT has now pushed it further to November 10, following directions from the Himachal Pradesh, Punjab & Haryana, and Gujarat High Courts. The decision comes after repeated appeals from professional associations and chartered accountant bodies, who cited difficulties faced by taxpayers and auditors in meeting the earlier timelines. The move aims to provide much-needed relief and ensure smoother compliance.
Before this extension, entities such as companies, proprietorships, and working partners in firms had until October 31, 2025, to file their ITRs for the financial year 2024-25. The revised deadline now allows them more time to ensure accurate submissions without rushing through the process. In a statement released on October 29, the CBDT confirmed that the due date for furnishing the Return of Income under sub-section (1) of Section 139 of the Income-tax Act has been moved from October 31 to December 10, 2025. This applies specifically to assessees whose accounts require auditing.
The extension of deadlines was largely influenced by rulings from several high courts, with the Gujarat High Court’s order setting a key precedent. As a result, taxpayers across multiple states will now benefit from the additional time granted.
The Income Tax Department had earlier extended the deadline for tax audit report submissions on September 25, moving it from September 30 to October 31. However, given the continued challenges faced by taxpayers and professionals, the CBDT decided on a further extension.
This series of deadline relaxations underscores the authorities’ acknowledgment of the complexities involved in accurate tax documentation. By allowing extra time, the government aims to minimize filing errors and ease the compliance burden on both taxpayers and auditors.