The Income Tax Return (ITR) season for Assessment Year (AY) 2025–26 is well underway, but several forms—particularly ITR-2, ITR-3, and ITR-5—have seen significant delays in utility releases and online filing options. Here is the complete status update, including release timelines, extended due dates, and what taxpayers can do now to stay on track.
Table of Contents
ITR-2 and ITR-3 Status
Form Notification:
- ITR-2: Notified on April 29, 2025
- ITR-3: Notified on April 30, 2025
(Both via CBDT notifications)
Excel Utility Release:
- Available from July 11, 2025, after nearly a 100-day delay.
Online Filing:
- Still pending as of mid-July 2025.
- The Income Tax e-filing portal has not yet enabled online filing or provided pre-filled form options.
Reason for Delay:
- New reporting mandates on capital gains bifurcation,
- Detailed TDS section code validations,
- Enhanced asset disclosures,
- And increased form validation complexity.
Extended Deadline:
- The due date for filing ITR-2 and ITR-3 has been extended to September 15, 2025.
ITR-5 Status
Form Notification:
- Notified on May 1, 2025, via CBDT Notification No. 42/2025.
Key Structural Changes:
- Capital gains to be bifurcated by acquisition/sale dates.
- New reporting under Section 44BBC.
- Additional columns for TDS section codes.
- Reporting for buyback-related losses.
Utility Availability:
- Not yet released – neither Excel nor JSON versions are available.
- Online filing is also currently disabled.
Expected Timeline:
- Based on historical trends, the utility may be released between late July and early August 2025, followed by online filing enablement.
Extended Deadline:
- Filing deadline extended to September 15, 2025.
- For audit cases, the October 31 deadline continues to apply.
Summary Table
| ITR Form | Notified Date | Utility Released | Online Filing Status | Extended Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITR-2 | April 29, 2025 | Excel utility (July 11) | Pending | September 15, 2025 |
| ITR-3 | April 30, 2025 | Excel utility (July 11) | Pending | September 15, 2025 |
| ITR-5 | May 1, 2025 | Not Released | Pending | September 15 (Oct 31 for audit) |
What Taxpayers Should Do Now
For ITR-2 & ITR-3:
- Download Excel utilities from the e-filing portal.
- Fill, validate, and generate JSON/XML files for offline upload.
- Start preparing supporting documents such as:
- Capital gains statements (including mutual fund and equity transactions),
- Foreign asset disclosures,
- Business income schedules,
- Crypto transaction records.
- Keep monitoring the portal for online filing enablement.
For ITR-5:
- Review new form structures and changes, particularly for:
- Section 44BBC applicability,
- Buyback loss provisions,
- Detailed TDS section reporting.
- Prepare structured data while waiting for utility release.
- Expect utility release by late July or early August.
For All Taxpayers:
- Check the Downloads section of the Income Tax portal regularly.
- Follow official updates and announcements by CBDT.
- Use the extended deadline of September 15 as a buffer—but avoid last-minute filing to prevent server issues or data loss.
FAQs
Q1. Why is online filing still unavailable for ITR-2 and ITR-3?
The Income Tax Department has introduced several new reporting and validation layers in these forms, including complex capital gains classification and asset-level disclosures. This has delayed integration with the online filing system.
Q2. Can I file using Excel utilities now and switch to online filing later?
Yes. You can prepare and upload your return using the offline method now. If online filing becomes available later, there’s no need to refile as long as your original return is successfully submitted and acknowledged.
Q3. When can we expect the ITR-5 utility?
Based on the pattern for ITR-2 and ITR-3, the utility for ITR-5 is expected by late July or early August 2025, with a few days’ lag before portal-based filing opens.
Q4. Is there any risk in filing closer to the deadline?
While the due date has been extended, portal congestion and last-minute glitches are common in August–September. Early preparation is advised to avoid filing errors and missed deadlines.
Conclusion
This year’s ITR filing for AY 2025–26 is moving at a slower pace due to enhanced disclosure requirements and system upgrades. While delays in online utility release have caused uncertainty, the extended deadline of September 15, 2025, offers breathing room. Taxpayers using ITR-2 and ITR-3 should proceed with Excel-based filing immediately. Those awaiting ITR-5 should begin organizing data and keep watch for the upcoming utility release.
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