Income Tax Filing Update: 5.9 Crore Returns Submitted by July 31 Deadline

The Income Tax Department announced on Saturday that 5.9 crore income tax returns were submitted by the July 31 deadline, which serves as the primary annual filing date for most individual taxpayers.

What Happened

Official data indicates that filings were spread across the period without a last-minute rush. By late Friday morning, total submissions reached 5.5 crore, following 42 lakh returns filed on Wednesday. The total count reached 5.9 crore returns by the deadline.

This total is lower than the previous year’s figure, when more than 7.3 crore returns were filed by an extended deadline of September 16, 2025. According to the department, filing numbers are likely lower because the government announced major tax concessions in the previous financial year for income up to Rs 12 lakh. Official data shows that including revised filings, individuals submitted 8.7 crore returns in FY2024-25, representing slightly fewer than 8.1 crore return filers in that category.

Key Highlights

• 5.9 crore returns were filed by the July 31 deadline for individuals.
• Return submissions were staggered over time, including 42 lakh filings on Wednesday and 5.5 crore logged by late Friday morning.
• The figure is lower than last year’s total of over 7.3 crore returns filed by the extended September 16, 2025 deadline.
• Government tax concessions covering income up to Rs 12 lakh during the last financial year contributed to the lower return volume.
• Taxpayers who missed the deadline may still file until December by paying a penalty.
• Taxpayers with business income using ITR-3 have until August 31 to file, while those under the ITR-4 regime have until October 31.

Why This Matters

The update highlights how tax concessions and structured deadlines shape individual compliance across the country. Acknowledging taxpayer participation, the Central Board of Direct Taxes shared on X, "Your trust and timely compliance provide the energy that fuels India’s growth."

What to Watch Next

Taxpayers who did not meet the July 31 deadline can submit their delayed returns through December, subject to a penalty. Individual taxpayers running businesses have separate upcoming deadlines: August 31 for those filing under ITR-3 and October 31 for those using the ITR-4 regime.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tax returns were filed by July 31?

A total of 5.9 crore income tax returns were filed by the July 31 deadline.

Can taxpayers who missed the deadline still file their returns?

Yes, taxpayers who missed the July 31 date can file their returns up to December, though a penalty fee will apply.

What are the extended filing deadlines for business income tax returns?

Taxpayers reporting business income using form ITR-3 can submit returns until August 31, while those using the ITR-4 regime have until October 31.

Source: Times of India