SOURCE : NEW18 NEWS
Last Updated:May 15, 2025, 10:16 IST
Though ITR filing is yet to be enabled, it is necessary to know which tax return form should you choose to file income tax return.
Though ITR forms have been notified during April-May, the ITR filing has not been enabled yet.
ITR Filing Season 2025: The income tax department has now notified all seven income tax return (ITR) forms for the assessment year 2025-26. Though ITR filing is yet to be enabled, it is necessary to know which tax return form should you choose to file income tax return. Most individual taxpayers will have to file their income tax returns by July 31, 2025, while different categories of assessees, including companies and those requiring audits, have different deadlines.
Who Needs to File Their ITR by July 31?
Recommended Stories
The July 31 deadline is applicable to most individual taxpayers. This includes salaried employees, pensioners, freelancers, and small business owners who are not subject to audit requirements.
According to the income tax department, this deadline applies to individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), Associations of Persons (AOPs), and Bodies of Individuals (BOIs) whose accounts are not required to be audited. Taxpayers opting for the new concessional tax regime under Section 115BAC or availing various exemptions will also have to submit the relevant declarations and forms before this date.
This July 31 deadline will not be applicable for corporate-assessees as well as individuals whose books of account are required to be audited.
The July 31 deadline also does not apply to:
- Partners of firms whose accounts need to be audited
- Spouses of such partners (if provisions of Section 5A apply)
- Assessees who are required to furnish a report under Section 92E (related to international or specified domestic transactions)
What Are Upcoming ITR Deadlines?
The due dates vary depending on the type of taxpayer and the nature of their income or compliance requirements. Here’s a breakdown of the key filing deadlines for AY 2025-26:
- July 31, 2025: For individuals, HUFs, AOPs, and BOIs not requiring audit
- October 31, 2025: For businesses and professionals requiring audit, as well as domestic companies
- November 30, 2025: For taxpayers who are required to furnish a report under Section 92E (transfer pricing cases)
- December 31, 2025: For filing belated or revised returns for the financial year
Which ITR Form Should You Use?
The Income Tax Department has notified seven forms—ITR-1 to ITR-7—for different categories of taxpayers. Here’s who can file which form:
ITR-1 (Sahaj): This is for resident individuals having a total income up to Rs 50 lakh, and income from salary, one house property, long-term capital gains up to Rs 1.25 lakh under Section 112A, other sources (like interest), and agricultural income up to Rs 5,000.
ITR-4 (Sugam): This form can be used by resident individuals, HUFs, and firms (excluding LLPs) having total income up to Rs 50 lakh and income from business or profession under the presumptive taxation scheme. It is also applicable to long-term capital gains up to Rs 1.25 lakh under Section 112A.
ITR-2: This is applicable to individuals and HUFs who do not have income from business or profession, but have income from capital gains, more than one house property, or foreign income/assets.
ITR-3: For individuals and HUFs who have income from profits and gains of business or profession. It is also applicable to long-term capital gains up to Rs 1.25 lakh under Section 112A.
ITR-5: To be filed by firms, LLPs, AOPs, BOIs, and cooperative societies.
ITR-6: This is meant for companies other than those claiming exemption under Section 11 (such as charitable or religious organizations).
ITR-7: To be filed by trusts, political parties, charitable institutions, and others who are required to file returns under Sections 139(4A), 139(4B), 139(4C), or 139(4D).
Keep Your Documents Ready
With all forms now available, taxpayers are advised to start collecting necessary documents such as Form 16, interest certificates, capital gains statements, and investment proofs to ensure timely filing. Filing early can also help in faster processing of refunds, and avoids last-minute errors or technical glitches on the portal.
When Will ITR Filing Start?
ITR filing usually starts in April and forms are notified in February every year. However, this year, ITR forms have been notified during April-May, the ITR filing has not been enabled yet.
Experts expect ITR deadline to extend this time due to delay in the commencement of ITR filing.
“It’s been 45 days, and yet Income Tax India has not released the Income Tax Utilities for filing. Does this mean we’re getting an automatic extension? Or will taxpayers and professionals once again be left to suffer due to the inefficiency of the Income Tax Department?” said a tax practitioner.
- First Published:
May 15, 2025, 10:16 IST
