Great news for taxpayers and professionals! Following similar earlier directions from the Gujarat High Court, both the Punjab & Haryana High Court and the Himachal Pradesh High Court have extended the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline for tax audit cases (FY 2024-25 / AY 2025-26) from October 31, 2025, to November 30, 2025.
Key Takeaways from the High Court Rulings
- New Deadline: The ITR deadline for taxpayers requiring a tax audit (including companies, proprietorships, and working partners in firms) is now November 30, 2025.
- The Principle: The courts ruled that since the deadline for the Tax Audit Report (TAR) was extended to October 31, 2025, the ITR deadline must follow suit, ensuring a minimum one-month gap for compliance.
- Mounting Pressure on CBDT: With three High Courts (Gujarat, Punjab & Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh) now aligned on this matter, there is significant pressure on the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to issue a uniform, nationwide extension circular immediately.
What This Means for You
If your accounts require an audit, you now have an extra month to complete your compliance filings, providing much-needed relief to chartered accountants and assessees.
The Delhi High Court is also scheduled to hear a similar plea soon, potentially leading to further judicial consensus and solidifying the expectation for a nationwide relief measure.
Stay tuned for an official CBDT circular, which is now highly anticipated!
Would you like me to keep an eye out for the official CBDT notification on a nationwide extension and let you know as soon as it’s released?
