Income Tax Return / Last chance to file ITR, do it soon or else you may have to pay this much fine!

Income Tax Return: The last date for filing Income Tax Return (ITR) is 15 September 2025, that is, now only one day is left. If you have not filed your ITR yet, then take action immediately. You may have to pay a fine for delay. The Income Tax Department has clearly warned taxpayers that unnecessary troubles can be avoided by filing ITR on time.

Penalty for filing ITR late

According to the Income Tax Department, a penalty is imposed under section 234F for filing ITR after the deadline. The amount of the penalty is as follows:

Income less than Rs 5 lakh: Penalty of Rs 1,000.

Income more than Rs 5 lakh: Penalty up to Rs 5,000.

Earlier this penalty was up to Rs 10,000, but it has been reduced to Rs 5,000. To avoid delay, file your ITR now, so that there is no additional burden on your hard-earned money.

There is still a chance after September 15, but with a penalty

If you are unable to file ITR by September 15, 2025, there is no need to panic. You can do late filing till three months before the end of the assessment year (2025-26) or before the end of the assessment year. However, in this case it will be mandatory to pay a penalty. This means that you can still take advantage of tax savings, but for this an additional amount will have to be paid as a penalty.

Benefits of filing ITR on time

• Filing ITR is not only a legal responsibility, but also a way to improve your tax planning. By filing returns on time:
• You can take advantage of government benefits and tax refunds.
• You can avoid unnecessary inquiries from the Income Tax Department.
• It helps in keeping your financial situation transparent and organized.
• So, if you have not filed ITR yet, make it a priority and avoid penalty.

Easy steps to file ITR online

• Filing ITR is now easier than ever. You can file returns online from home in 30-45 minutes. Follow the steps given below:
• Visit the official website: Go to https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/login.
• Login: Use your PAN card number and password. Make sure your Aadhaar card is linked to PAN.
• Start ITR filing: Choose the ‘File Income Tax Return’ option and select the assessment year (2025-26).
• Choose the right ITR form: Select the appropriate form as per your income.
• Check pre-filled data: The system pre-fills information such as your salary, TDS, and bank interest. Check it carefully and add additional income or deductions as required.
• Submit the return: Submit the return after all the information is correct.

Using pre-filled data helps a lot in saving time.

ITR Verification: Mandatory and Easy

• It is very important to verify your ITR after filing it. Without verification, your return will be considered incomplete. The following options are available for verification:
• Aadhaar OTP: The fastest and easiest method. Verify with the OTP received on the mobile number linked to Aadhaar.
• Net Banking or Bank/Demat Account: Verification can also be done through these.
• ITR-V by Post: You can send the signed ITR-V form to CPC Bangalore, but this method is slow and not advisable at the last minute.
• Remember, without verification the return will be invalid and you may have to repeat the process again.

Final Advice

File your ITR before the deadline of 15 September 2025. This will not only save you from penalties but will also strengthen your tax planning. The online process is easy, fast, and convenient. Don't delay, act now and meet your tax obligations on time.