Status of ITR-6 and ITR-7 Utilities
As of August 11, 2025, the Income Tax Department has released the Excel-based utility for ITR-5 but has not yet released the utilities for ITR-6 and ITR-7. This delay has been noted by tax professionals, who are advising taxpayers to keep a close watch on official updates.
What does this mean for taxpayers?
- ITR-5 Filers: Entities such as firms, LLPs, AOPs, and BOIs can now begin their return filing for Assessment Year 2025-26 using the new utility.
- ITR-6 & ITR-7 Filers: Companies, trusts, political parties, and other specified entities must wait for their respective utilities to be released before they can file their returns. The delay shortens the window for compliance, but no official extension of the due dates has been announced yet.
Who should file which form?
- ITR-5: For firms, LLPs, Associations of Persons (AOPs), and Bodies of Individuals (BOIs).
- ITR-6: For companies, excluding those claiming an exemption under Section 11.
- ITR-7: For individuals and companies required to furnish returns under specific sections of the Income-tax Act, such as those related to trusts, political parties, and educational or medical institutions.
Key Updates and Deadlines
- New ITR-5 Features: The newly released ITR-5 utility includes updated schedules for reporting capital gains, requiring separate details for transactions before and after July 23, 2024. It also now allows reporting of capital losses from share buybacks under certain conditions.
- ITR Filing Deadlines (AY 2025-26):
- September 15, 2025: Individuals and HUFs not requiring an audit.
- October 31, 2025: Businesses requiring an audit.
- November 30, 2025: Businesses with international or specific domestic transactions.
Given the current situation, taxpayers who need to file using ITR-6 or ITR-7 are strongly encouraged to prepare their necessary documents and financial statements in advance to be ready to file as soon as the utilities become available.