CBDT Extends Due Date for Filing Income Tax Audit Report for FY 2024-25
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has given a major relief to taxpayers by extending the due date for filing the Income Tax Audit Report for the financial year 2024–25 (Assessment Year 2025–26).
Originally, the last date to file the audit report was 30th September 2025. As per the new notification, the deadline has been extended by one month to 31st October 2025.
This move comes as a big relief for businesses, professionals, and chartered accountants who were struggling to complete audits before the earlier deadline.
🔎 Who Does This Extension Apply To?
The extension is applicable to taxpayers who are required to file a tax audit report under Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This generally includes:
Businesses with turnover exceeding prescribed limits
Professionals with gross receipts above ₹50 lakh
Companies, partnership firms, and other entities covered under audit requirements
Specific cases under Explanation 2(a) of Section 139(1) of the Act
📜 Why Was the Due Date Extended?
Several representations from taxpayers and professional bodies were made to CBDT citing genuine hardships in meeting the deadline. Some common challenges included:
Workload pressure on auditors and tax professionals
Delays in finalizing accounts and reconciliations
Pending legal petitions in certain states requesting an extension
Natural disruptions and practical challenges for businesses
CBDT also confirmed that the income tax e-filing portal is functioning smoothly, with lakhs of audit reports already uploaded. However, the extension has been granted to ensure smooth compliance.
✅ Example Scenarios
Business Audit Case
Mr. Rajesh runs a manufacturing business with turnover of ₹8 crore.
He is mandatorily required to get his accounts audited under Section 44AB.
Earlier, his deadline was 30th September 2025. Now, he has until 31st October 2025 to upload his audit report.
Professional Audit Case
Ms. Priya is a practicing architect with gross receipts of ₹65 lakh.
She also falls under mandatory audit provisions.
With the new extension, she has an extra month to complete her tax audit formalities.
⚠️ Consequences of Missing the New Deadline
If the tax audit report is not filed by 31st October 2025, taxpayers may face penalties under Section 271B of the Income Tax Act.
The penalty is 0.5% of turnover or gross receipts, subject to a maximum of ₹1,50,000.
Filing delays may also impact subsequent income tax return filing and processing.
Hence, taxpayers are advised not to wait till the last date and complete the audit process well in advance.
🕒 Next Steps for Taxpayers
Finalize your accounts and get them audited early.
Coordinate with your CA to upload the report on time.
Ensure compliance under Section 44AB and related provisions.
Avoid last-minute filing to prevent portal congestion or errors.
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✨ Conclusion
The extension of the tax audit due date to 31st October 2025 is a welcome move by CBDT. Taxpayers should utilize this extra time wisely to complete their audits, ensure accuracy, and avoid penalties. Filing early will also help reduce the last-minute rush and technical issues.