New Delhi: The Income-tax (I-T) Department said on Saturday that 5.9 crore returns had been filed by July 31, the deadline for most individuals to make their annual filing. According to Business Today, the number is lower than the over 7.3 crore returns that were filed by September 16, 2025, the extended deadline for last year's filing cycle.
Filing totals: current cycle vs last year
The table below compares the key filing numbers reported by the I-T department:
| Metric | Returns counted | Reference period |
|---|---|---|
| Filed by July 31 | 5.9 crore | Deadline for most individual filers |
| Filed by Sept 16, 2025 | over 7.3 crore | Extended deadline last year |
| Individual returns, incl. revised | 8.7 crore | FY2024-25 official data |
| Individual return filers | a little less than 8.1 crore | FY2024-25 official data |
No last-minute rush
The I-T department's numbers indicate returns were staggered over a period, with no last-minute rush. Till late Friday morning, 5.5 crore returns had been filed, with 42 lakh returns filed on Wednesday alone, according to Business Today.
Why the number is lower
The total is likely to be lower because the government had announced major tax concessions during the last financial year, with income up to Rs 12 lakh, Business Today reported.
CBDT statement
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) acknowledged taxpayer response on social media platform X:
Your trust and timely compliance provide the energy that fuels India's growth.
Missed the deadline? Later filing windows remain
Taxpayers who missed the July 31 deadline can still file returns up to December, but they will have to pay a penalty. Separate deadlines apply for taxpayers with business income:
- Taxpayers required to use ITR-3 can file returns up to August 31.
- Taxpayers using the ITR-4 regime can file returns up to October 31.
The I-T department has framed these staggered windows to accommodate different categories of filers, according to Business Today.
Official filing data for FY2024-25
According to official data cited by Business Today, including revised returns, 8.7 crore returns were filed by individuals in FY2024-25, with a little less than 8.1 crore return filers in that segment. That full-year figure provides context for the 5.9 crore filings counted by July 31, since business-income taxpayers can still submit returns until August 31 or October 31, and late filers may file up to December with a penalty.
Sources:
