Income Tax Filing Deadline Ends Today: Key Tips to Overcome Slow Portal Issues

The Income Tax Department has extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) by one day, setting September 16, 2025, as the final date. This extension comes after multiple taxpayers and professionals reported difficulties in accessing the e-filing portal over the past few days.

While those who miss today’s deadline can still submit a belated return until December 31, 2025, they will be required to pay a penalty ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000. In addition, delayed filing can lead to the loss of certain benefits such as carrying forward losses and interest on refunds. For this reason, experts strongly recommend that taxpayers complete their filing before the extended deadline.

Complaints of Slow Portal Performance

In recent days, taxpayers and chartered accountants have voiced their frustrations on social media, citing issues such as:

• Portal unavailability or frequent downtime

• Extremely slow loading speeds

• Difficulty in downloading the Annual Information Statement (AIS)

• Delays in the release of updated ITR utilities

These problems have caused last-minute panic among many taxpayers. To ease the process, the Income Tax Department has shared some practical troubleshooting tips that users can implement on their systems and browsers.

How to Fix Browser and Portal Access Issues

If you are facing trouble while accessing the income tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in), here are some solutions recommended by experts:

1. Delete Temporary Files

Press Win + R, type temp and %temp%, and delete all files in both folders. Removing these temporary files often improves system performance and resolves access issues.

2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Go to your browser settings and clear cache data along with cookies. This helps remove corrupted or outdated files that may be interfering with portal access.

3. Use Supported Browsers

The e-filing portal performs best on the latest versions of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you are using older or unsupported browsers, switch to one of these for smoother access.

4. Try Incognito or Private Mode

Sometimes, browser extensions or saved cache can disrupt performance. Opening the site in Incognito/Private Mode—using shortcuts like Ctrl + Shift + N (Chrome/Edge) or Ctrl + Shift + P (Firefox)—can bypass such issues.

5. Disable Browser Extensions

Temporarily turn off ad-blockers, VPNs, or privacy extensions. These can interfere with site loading and secure login processes.

6. Update Your Browser

Ensure you are using the latest browser version. Outdated versions may lack compatibility with the updated e-filing system.

7. Switch Networks if Needed

If problems persist, try changing your internet connection. Switching from Wi-Fi to a mobile hotspot, or vice versa, may resolve connectivity issues.

Record Number of Returns Filed

Despite these challenges, the Income Tax Department reported that as of September 15, 2025, more than 7.3 crore ITRs had already been filed, surpassing last year’s figure of 7.28 crore. The department also expressed gratitude to taxpayers and professionals for their cooperation in completing the process.

Final Advice for Taxpayers

With only hours left before the extended deadline ends, taxpayers are urged to:

• Keep all financial documents ready

• Double-check details before submitting the return

• Avoid waiting until the last moment, as the portal may experience heavy traffic

Failing to file on time not only invites penalties but also complicates financial planning for the year ahead. A proactive approach today will save taxpayers from unnecessary stress and additional costs tomorrow.