Income Tax Return (ITR) Filing 2025: Rules, Deadlines & Documents Required
✅Why ITR Filing in 2025 Matters (ITR Filing 2025)
Filing Income Tax Return (ITR) has become mandatory for every earning individual if your income is more than the basic exemption limit. With new updates, portal improvements and strict penalties in 2025, filing on time has become even more important.
Whether you are salaried, freelancer, NRI or crypto trader – this guide will come in handy for you.
🧍♂️Who Should File ITR in 2025?
- Whose annual income is more than ₹2.5 lakh (old regime) or ₹3 lakh (new regime)
- Freelancers, gig workers, content creators
- Business owners, shopkeepers, professionals
- Crypto/NFT traders
- Foreign asset ya income holders
- NRI with Indian income
Note: PAN-Aadhaar linking required for valid ITR filing.
🗓️ ITR Filing Deadlines for FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26)
Category | Last Date |
Salaried Individuals | 31st July 2025 |
Businesses (Audit Required) | 31st October 2025 |
International Transactions (TP cases) | 30th November 2025 |
👉 Late filing fee can range from ₹1000–₹5000 under Section 234F
If you fail to file your ITR before the due date (ITR filing 2025), you’ll have to pay a late filing fee as per Section 234F.
Total Income (FY 2024–25) | ITR Filing Date | Late Fee (u/s 234F) |
Up to ₹2.5 lakh | Any time (no fee) | Nil |
More than ₹2.5 lakh & up to ₹5 lakh | After due date (post 31 July 2025) | ₹ 1,000 |
Above ₹5 lakh | After due date | ₹ 5,000 |
📂 Which ITR Form to Use in 2025?
ITR Form | To Whom? |
ITR 1 | Salaried (income up to ₹50L) |
ITR 2 | Capital gains, multiple house owners |
ITR 3 | Business/profession wale log |
ITR 4 | Presumptive income scheme (44AD/44ADA) |
📌 If you are a crypto trader or have foreign income, then use ITR 2 or 3
📋 Documents Required for Filing income tax return 2025
- PAN card, Aadhaar card
- Form 16 (for salaried employees)
- Bank statement (April 2024 – March 2025)
- TDS certificates (Form 16A/26AS)
- Investment proofs (LIC, PPF, ELSS, etc.)
- Rent receipts (HRA claim)
- Capital gains report (stocks, crypto, mutual funds)
💻 Step-by-Step ITR Filing Process 2025
-
- Login to gov.in portal (ITR Login Online)
- Go to ‘e-File’ tab → choose ‘Income Tax Return’
- Select Assessment Year = 2025–26
- Choose ITR form (e.g. ITR 1)
- Review pre-filled data
- Fill additional details (deductions, other income)
- Validate and Submit
- E-verify ITR within 30 days (Aadhaar OTP / Net banking / EV
📌 ITR E-verification is mandatory. Without this ITR will not be valid.
🧮 New Tax Regime vs Old Tax Regime: Which to Choose?
Slab Type | Old Regime (with deductions) | New Regime (lower tax, no deductions) |
Income | Taxable after deductions | ₹0 tax with rebate u/s 87A |
Income | More benefit if investing | Lower rates if no deductions taken |
💡 New regime is default from 2024–25, but you can switch.
🧭 Decision Tree: Choose Old vs New Tax Regime
Start
├── Do you have
business or professional income?
│ └── Yes → Only **Old Regime** (New isn’t
available)
└── No (e.g. salaried/freelancer
with presumptive income)
├── Is your total income ≤ ₹12 lakhs?
│ ├── Yes → New Regime likely
better (full rebate ₹60K)
│ └── No:
└── Do you claim > ₹1.5 L (80C) + ₹2 L HRA/home loan
interest + other deductions?
├── Yes → **Old Regime** may save more
└── No → **New
Regime** is simpler with competitive slabs
This concise tree guides users for ITR filing 2025 based on income type, amount, and deduction / investment eligibility.
Also Read:
🧾 ITR Filing Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Choosing the wrong ITR form
❌ PAN-Aadhaar mismatch
❌ Not declaring interest income
❌ Forgetting E-verification
❌ Hiding crypto or side income
Suggested Read:
🧮 Refund Status Check & Processing Timeline
- After filing ITR (ITR filing 2025) , usually the refund is received within 7–45 days
- Track: Check Refund Status
- If there is a delay, you can raise a grievance on the income tax portal
🔚 Conclusion: Stay Compliant, Stay Smart
-
ITR filing is not just a legal requirement, it is also a financial discipline.
Filing on time will:
✅ Save penalties
✅ Help in loan approval
✅ Get refund quickly
📝 Tip: If you have any doubts, it is best to consult a CA; especially if you have multiple income sources.
❓FAQs
Q1: What is ITR filing last date in 2025 (ITR filing 2025) ?
Ans: ITR for salaried person is 31 July 2025.
Q2: Which ITR form should a freelancer use?
Ans: If you are using presumptive income scheme then ITR 4, otherwise ITR 3.
Q3: Is it necessary to link Aadhaar?
Ans: Yes, PAN-Aadhaar link is mandatory otherwise ITR may become invalid.
Q4: Can I file ITR myself?
Ans: Yes, you can file it yourself on the income tax website with Aadhaar OTP or netbanking login.
Q5: What is the late filing penalty?
Ans: It can be up to ₹1,000 (income below ₹5L), ₹5,000 (above ₹5L).
