Will the government extend the July 31 ITR filing deadline?

With just two days left for the July 31 income tax return (ITR) filing deadline, one question is doing the rounds among taxpayers: Will the government extend the due date?The speculation isn't new. Every year, as the deadline approaches, social media is flooded with claims that the due date may be pushed back. This year has been no different. However, tax experts say taxpayers should not make filing decisions based on rumours and should work towards meeting the existing deadline unless the government announces otherwise.DON'T RELY ON SPECULATIONExperts say there is no official indication so far that the July 31 deadline for filing ITRs will be extended.Adhil Shetty, CEO of BankBazaar, says taxpayers should avoid waiting in the hope of an extension. "Taxpayers should avoid making filing decisions based on speculation around a possible deadline extension. The Income Tax Department has extended deadlines in the past only under exceptional circumstances, such as widespread technical issues or other administrative reasons. Unless an extension is officially announced, it is prudent to assume the notified July 31 deadline will apply." He added, "Missing the deadline may also attract a late fee of up to Rs 5,000, depending on the taxpayer's income, besides applicable interest on unpaid tax, and could delay the processing of refunds. Filing within the notified timeline remains the safer and more practical approach."WHY ARE PEOPLE EXPECTING AN EXTENSION?The expectation largely stems from the slower pace of filings in the initial weeks of the filing season and the delayed availability of some ITR utilities. Many taxpayers also faced difficulties in gathering documents and reconciling details such as the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS. However, experts point out that the situation has improved significantly over the past few weeks. The Income Tax Department has released the required utilities and upgraded the e-filing system to manage many taxpayers logging in at the same time.FILE ON TIME UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT SAYS OTHERWISENishant Shanker, Tax & Investments Expert at Navraj Global Advisors, says taxpayers should not assume that an extension is certain."At present, taxpayers should not assume that the July 31 deadline will be extended. While there has been speculation due to the filing pace and initial concerns around utilities, the Income Tax Department has made the relevant utilities available and has also strengthened the e-filing infrastructure to handle higher traffic. Unless there are exceptional circumstances or an official notification from the CBDT, taxpayers should plan to meet the existing due date rather than rely on a possible extension."WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU MISS THE DEADLINE?Missing the July 31 deadline could prove costly for eligible taxpayers. Depending on the taxpayer's income, a late filing fee of up to 5,000 may apply. Interest may also be payable if any tax remains unpaid.Apart from the financial cost, filing late can delay the processing of income tax refunds. Taxpayers may also end up rushing through the return at the last minute, increasing the chances of making mistakes or overlooking important information.As of now, there is no official announcement extending the July 31 ITR filing deadline. While discussions and rumours continue on social media, experts believe taxpayers should stick to the notified due date instead of waiting for a possible extension.If the government decides to extend the deadline, it will issue an official notification. Until then, completing the return on time remains the safest option.- EndsPublished By: Jasmine anandPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 11:28 IST