ITR Filing Deadline Extended to September 15, 2025: Don’t Forget to Verify Within 30 Days

The ITR deadline is now September 15, 2025, for many taxpayers. Learn why timely verification within 30 days is critical to avoid invalid returns.



Filed Your ITR? Don't Forget to Verify—It's Mandatory Within 30 Days

As the ITR (Income Tax Return) filing season for Assessment Year 2025–26 gains momentum, the numbers are staggering—and encouraging. As of early August, over 2.51 crore returns have already been filed. Even more promising is the fact that 2.43 crore of them have been verified, and 1.13 crore have already been processed successfully. But if you think filing your return is enough, think again.

Many taxpayers are still unaware that simply submitting your ITR doesn’t mean your job is done. Unless you verify your return within 30 days, your ITR is considered invalid, and it’s as good as not filing at all. This crucial step has tripped up thousands of taxpayers in past years—and could do so again if you're not careful.

What’s New for AY 2025–26?

This year, the government has extended the ITR filing deadline to September 15, 2025, for individuals and businesses whose original deadline was July 31, 2025. This relief comes as a welcome move for many who were either waiting for Form 16, financial documents, or still recovering from operational delays.

But while the filing deadline has been extended, the 30-day ITR verification rule still stands. No extensions here. And that’s where most taxpayers falter.

Understanding the ITR Verification Rule

Starting August 1, 2022, the Income Tax Department reduced the ITR verification window from 120 days to 30 days from the date of filing. That means if you file your return today, you must verify it within the next 30 calendar days—not working days.

Failure to do so means:

  • Your return will be considered invalid.

  • You will be treated as someone who hasn’t filed an ITR at all.

  • You may attract penalties for late filing or non-compliance.

  • You lose out on any potential refunds.

  • Future compliance ratings or financial borrowing eligibility could be impacted.

Modes of ITR Verification: Choose What Works for You

The good news is that the verification process is easier than ever before. You don’t necessarily have to post any physical documents anymore. Here are the 6 e-verification methods provided by the IT department:

  1. Aadhaar OTP – Easiest and most used. Ensure your Aadhaar is linked with your PAN.

  2. Net Banking – Log in through your bank’s net banking portal and verify through e-filing login.

  3. Demat Account – Use your verified Demat credentials to complete the process.

  4. Bank Account EVC – If your bank account is pre-validated, use this option.

  5. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) – Mostly used by companies or professionals.

  6. Offline Mode (ITR-V Form) – Download the ITR-V form, sign it, and post it to CPC Bangalore.

Note: For physical verification, the form must reach the CPC within 30 days, not just be posted within that time frame.

Why Is Verification So Crucial?

Let’s say you’ve completed your ITR filing, and it’s showing “Submitted” on the portal. If you forget to verify, your ITR will not be considered valid. That means:

  • No refund will be processed.

  • You may receive notices from the department later.

  • If you claim deductions or exemptions, they won’t be counted.

  • You lose your right to revise the return later.

In short, your entire effort of gathering documents, filing returns, and hoping for a refund goes to waste.

What If You Miss the 30-Day Window?

Don’t panic—there is still some remedy.

You can file a condonation request under Section 119(2)(b) of the Income Tax Act. In your application, you must state the reason for the delay (medical emergencies, system error, etc.) and submit it for approval. However, approval is at the discretion of the tax department and is not guaranteed.

ITR Filing Stats: What Do They Indicate?

According to the Income Tax Department:

  • A total of 2.51 crore ITRs have been filed as of now.

  • Over 2.43 crore have already been verified.

  • 1.13 crore returns are processed, with refunds already being issued.

  • The portal hosts 13.21 crore registered individual users—a clear sign that tax compliance is increasing.

Experts suggest this trend is likely to grow as more individuals become aware of tax planning benefits, potential penalties, and digital ease of filing and verification.

Expert Insight

Rakesh Mahajan, a Mumbai-based tax consultant, remarks:

“Filing ITR without verification is like filling out an exam form but not appearing for the exam. The process is incomplete, and in tax matters, that means penalties, loss of refunds, and even prosecution in rare cases. Verify the return—it's simple and doesn’t take more than a few minutes.”

Tips to Stay Ahead

  • Verify immediately after filing to avoid forgetting later.

  • Use Aadhaar OTP for a quick and seamless process.

  • Maintain screenshots or acknowledgment emails as proof.

  • If filing close to the deadline, make sure to verify before the 30-day window ends—even if it means using express postal service for offline verification.

Final Thoughts

Tax filing isn't just a legal obligation—it’s a personal financial discipline that reflects your transparency, credibility, and eligibility in financial matters. But completing your ITR isn’t enough—you need to verify it within 30 days. The system is digital, the options are many, and the effort is minimal. Yet the consequences of non-verification can be financially painful.

So, as the September 15, 2025, deadline approaches for many taxpayers, take a moment to verify your ITR. It’s just a few clicks—but it could save you a lot of hassle later.

Author’s Note:

As someone who believes in empowering individuals with financial literacy, I urge every taxpayer to treat ITR verification with the same seriousness as tax filing itself. Think of it as the last step in securing your rightful place in the compliant citizen’s circle. The tax system is becoming smarter, faster, and more transparent. It's time we match that progress with timely, responsible actions—starting with verification.

Sources:

  1. Income Tax Department, Government of India –
    https://www.incometax.gov.in

  2. Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Finance Updates –
    https://pib.gov.in

  3. CBDT Notifications and Circulars –
    https://incometaxindia.gov.in/pages/communications/circulars.aspx

  4. News Reports from Reputed Sources (August 2025):

    • The Economic Times

    • Times of India

    • Business Standard

    • Moneycontrol

  5. Expert Commentary:
    Based on insights from practicing Chartered Accountants and Tax Consultants.


Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Welcome to The Financial and Tech Literacy! I’m Awdhesh Kumar, a finance and tech enthusiast with 20+ years of experience in accounts, taxation, and the stock market. This blog simplifies finance and digital topics for all—students, professionals, retirees, and new investors. Learn about stock market strategies, personal finance, mutual funds, tech tools, digital banking, and government schemes. All content is original, practical, and based on real experience—no paid promotions or clickbait. We refer to trusted sources like SEBI, RBI, NSE, and Economic Times. Stay updated, make informed decisions, and grow financially with us. For contact: awdheshdube65@gmail.com.

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