ITR Filing 2025: The Income Tax Department has not yet released the online filing utility for ITR-5, ITR-6 and ITR-7 forms. The extended last date for filing returns for non-audit cases is 15 September 2025, but now only two months are left. In such a situation, the concern of those filing returns through these forms has increased.
What is the reason for the delay?
According to tax experts, major technical and structural changes made in the income tax return forms are the main reason behind this delay.
Sandeep Sehgal, Tax Partner, AKM Global, says, “There are several changes in tax rates and reporting for assessment year 2025-26. The department has opted for a phase-wise rollout of the utility to ensure technical stability and perfect integration with backend systems like AIS and Form 26AS.”
BCAS treasurer and chartered accountant Kinjal Bhutta says that delays are also being caused due to technical glitches in the utility and errors in pre-filled data. She said that the utility for ITR-2 and ITR-3 was also delayed recently due to this reason.
For whom are ITR-5, 6 and 7?
As per the Income Tax Act, 1961, ITR-5 is for bodies such as firms, LLPs and co-operative societies. ITR-6 is filed by companies that do not claim exemption under section 11 (income from property held for religious or charitable purposes). ITR-7 is for trusts, political parties and other institutions that are eligible for exemption under sections 139(4A) to 139(4D).
Major changes this year
Important changes have been made in all three forms this time. It is important to know about them before filing the return.
- Buyback loss can be shown in ITR-5 only if tax has been paid on the relevant dividend.
- In ITR-6, it is mandatory to report capital gains before and after 23 July 2024 separately. Apart from this, income from cruise operations and sale of diamonds, and losses related to buyback will also have to be disclosed in detail.
- New reporting requirements have been made in ITR-7 such as capital gains, housing loan interest (section 24(b)) and TDS section codes. Also, tax on long term capital gains has been increased to 12.5% and on short term gains to 20%.
When can the utility come?
Experts believe that although this delay is inconvenient, it will reduce the chances of data errors on the portal. It is expected that the utility for ITR-5, 6 and 7 will be made available by the end of July.
At the same time, taxpayers who are filing ITR in physical mode will be required to take a printout of ITR-V, sign it and send it to CPC Bangalore within 30 days of filing the return, if they do not opt for e-verification.
