The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has launched an online system to simplify the application process for extension of time for filing income tax returns. The deadline for filing returns for individual taxpayers this year has been extended to March 31.
NBR has given this information in a statement on Monday.
However, those taxpayers who are unable to file their returns by March 31 can apply for additional time. The Commissioner of Tax concerned may extend the time for filing the return up to a maximum of 90 days on the application of the taxpayer.
The online system has been introduced to complete the entire process to make application for extension of time and approval of additional time for filing returns simple, fast, transparent and convenient, the statement said.
It also said that taxpayers can now easily apply for extension of time for filing returns online by logging into the e-return system and using the ‘Time Extension’ menu.
Apart from this, the tax commissioner of the concerned tax zone will approve or reject the application online in view of the taxpayer’s application filed online. If the taxpayer’s application for extension of time is granted, he can file the return online within the extended period without incurring any penalty or paying additional tax.
In case of online application, it is mandatory for taxpayers to be registered in the e-return system and apply before March 31, the statement said. Taxpayers for whom online return filing is not mandatory can apply for extension of time either online or in writing directly to the concerned circle.
For the tax year 2025-26, the NBR has made online filing of income tax returns mandatory for most individual taxpayers with few exceptions.
According to revenue authorities, around 50 lakh individual taxpayers have already registered with NBR’s ‘e-return’ system for filing income tax returns. Among them, about 41 lakh taxpayers have completed filing their returns for the tax year 2025-26.
