ITR Filing Deadline Extended? Don't Fall for These Myths

 The income-tax rumor mill is spinning again. Every filing season a WhatsApp forward or last-minute tweet claims, “The Income Tax Department will push the deadline once more—relax!” This year’s brief extension—from 31 July to 16 September 2025 for non-audit taxpayers—has kicked the myth factory into overdrive. Here’s a candid look at the most common misunderstandings and the real rules so you don’t end up paying five-figure penalties for believing internet folklore.

Myth 1: “The portal is still glitchy, so the CBDT will surely extend the date again.”
Reality: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) publicly confirmed that 16 September 2025 was a one-time grace period to fix new-form issues and handle portal traffic. Unless another official circular appears on incometax.gov.in, assume no further relief.

Myth 2: “Late fees are waived if the system crashes on deadline day.”
Reality: Section 234F late fees—₹1,000 for income below ₹5 lakh and ₹5,000 for income above ₹5 lakh—apply the moment you cross the deadline, portal glitches or not. The department rarely refunds these charges.

Myth 3: “Belated returns carry no other downside besides a small fee.”
Reality: File after 16 September and your return is marked belated. You will pay interest under Section 234A (1% per month on unpaid tax) and lose the right to carry forward most losses except house-property loss and unabsorbed depreciation.

Myth 4: “I can always file an updated return later and fix everything.”
Reality: Updated returns (ITR-U) are allowed up to four years after the assessment year but attract 25% to 50% additional tax on the shortfall—far costlier than meeting the original due date.

Myth 5: “Refunds come just as fast even if I file late.”
Reality: The CPC processes on-time returns first. Belated filers routinely wait weeks or months longer for refunds, tying up precious cash flow.

Myth 6: “Small business owners audited under Section 44AB get the same 16 September deadline.”
Reality: Audit-case taxpayers have till 31 October 2025; entities with transfer-pricing reports get till 30 November. Mixing up categories can trigger notices and higher interest.

Smart moves instead of wishful thinking

• Finish data reconciliation early—TDS certificates (Form 16/16A) and AIS often contain mismatches that need a few days to correct.
• Clear any outstanding tax through net-banking or UPI; challan failures on the last night are a nightmare.
• Keep PDF proof of the success acknowledgment number (ITR-V) and payment challans; WhatsApp screenshots don’t satisfy an assessing officer.
• Schedule a calendar alert for 15 September in future years; treat extensions as an exception, not a habit.

Filing on time costs nothing but discipline. Falling for deadline myths can cost ₹5,000 in fees, mounting interest, and avoidable scrutiny. Trust only official circulars (CBDT press releases or income-tax portal notifications) and stay miles away from social-media “sources.”