- By Aditya Pratap Singh
- Wed, 16 Apr 2025 03:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Since the start of the new financial year 2025-26 on April 1, crores of taxpayers have focused on filing Income Tax Returns (ITRS). The Income Tax Department will notify the relevant online ITR forms for the assessment year (AY) 2025–26 at any time, which will open the official filing window.
When will ITR filing start?
The ITR filing process normally begins in April after the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) releases the revised forms. Forms for AY 2025–26 (FY 2024–25) will likely be notified this month and made available for electronic filing. Last year saw a trend of early availability, as ITR forms were notified in February and e-filing started in April.
However, after receiving important documents 16 issued by employers summarising salaries paid and TDS deducted during the financial year, most of the salaried taxpayers usually start the actual filing process in late May or early June. Employers must provide Form 16 by June 15 of each year.
So while the filing portal may open in April, most salaried people usually start filing in mid-June after receiving the required paperwork.
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How quickly will taxpayers get their money back?
So while the filing portal may open in April, most salaried people usually start filing in mid-June after receiving the required paperwork.
The good news is that the Income Tax Department has greatly expedited the refund process in recent years, if you are eligible for one, which is frequently the result of additional TDS or advance tax payment. As of now, refunds are usually issued 7–20 days after the ITR is filed. Early filers frequently get their money back quite quickly, especially if they file before the July 31 deadline for audit cases.
Important things to keep in mind while filing an ITR for AY26
- The e-filing window is expected to open in April 2025.
- The deadline for issuance of Form 16 is June 15; Last date for filing ITR (without audit) is July 31.
The Income Tax Department also offers pre-filled ITR forms to make filing easier, especially for small and salaried taxpayers. Experts recommend double-checking all pre-filled information before filing your return, though.