ITR Filing Deadline Extensions: What’s Real and What’s Fake

Introduction

It’s that time of year again when tax‑filing deadlines approach. Many people seek clarity, especially if there’s a chance the date might be pushed back. Recently, a document has been circulating, supposedly from the Finance Ministry or CBDT, claiming that the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) has been extended beyond the previously announced date.

But as of now, no official circular extending the deadline has been issued. The last real directive on this matter is Circular No. 11/2025. Any notice stating otherwise should be viewed with caution.

What the Official Record Shows

• The official record shows that no circular has come out after Circular No. 11/2025 that extends the ITR filing deadline.
• The announced deadline for filing ITRs is still 15 September 2025. 
• The Income Tax Department has warned the public that messages claiming a new extension, such as a change to 30 September, are fake.

How the Fake Circulars Spread

Fake circulars often spread through:

• WhatsApp and social media forwards, where people share images or PDFs without checking them.
• Messages that use logos or official‑looking formats to seem genuine.
• Panic or fear of penalties, leading people to believe messages that say “you have more time.”

These fake notices typically claim that the Finance Ministry or CBDT has extended the due date, sometimes displaying fake letterheads, signatures, or referencing rules or numbers that sound credible but are absent from the official record.

Why Believing Them Can Be Costly

• If you delay filing because you believe a fake extension, you could miss the actual deadline and face penalties. Missing a valid deadline can result in charges.
• Relying on false information might cause you to miss opportunities for voluntary filing, reconciliation, or reliefs that depend on timely submissions.
• Misinformation weakens trust in genuine notifications and makes it more challenging to tell real announcements from fake ones in the future.

How to Verify a Circular Is Genuine

Case Example: Recent Instance

A message claimed that the ITR deadline, originally set for 15 September 2025, has been extended to 30 September 2025. The Income Tax Department publicly confirmed that this extension claim is false. The deadline remains 15 September 2025, and no new extension has been announced. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

What You Should Do

• File your ITR by the valid deadline unless you see an official extension that you can verify.
• When unsure, check the government’s official channels.
• Do not rely on forwarded messages unless you verify them yourself.
• If you notice fake notices circulating, inform others friends, family, colleagues to prevent misinformation from spreading.

Conclusion

Fake circulars about deadlines are more than a nuisance; they can lead to real costs if people believe them and act wrongly. The recent claim of a deadline extension beyond 15 September 2025 is false. As of now, Circular No. 11/2025 is the latest valid notice.

Stay informed. Stay skeptical. Always check official sources before making decisions based on forwarded notices.

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