ITR deadline ends tonight: Tax Department shares tips to resolve portal access issues

With the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline for assessment year (AY 2025–26) ending tonight at 11:59 pm, the Income Tax Department has issued guidance for taxpayers facing difficulties accessing its e-filing portal.

Heavy last-minute traffic often leads to slow page loads, login errors, or failed submissions, and the department has shared simple steps to help users troubleshoot these issues.

KIND ATTENTION TAXPAYERS!

“Having difficulty accessing the Income Tax e-Filing Portal?

Sometimes, access difficulties with the Income Tax e-Filing Portal may arise due to local system/browser settings. These simple steps often help resolve such issues:

▶️Delete temporary files…

— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) September 15, 2025

Tax Dept shares tips to fix portal access problems 

Taxpayers have reported issues such as OTP delays, login failures, and submission errors. Many of these problems are caused by local browser or system settings rather than the portal itself. The IT Department recommends the following fixes:

• Delete Temporary Files: Press Win + R, type temp and %temp%, then delete all files.
• Clear Browser Cache & Cookies: Go to browser settings and remove cached data and cookies.
• Use a Supported Browser: Latest versions of Chrome or Microsoft Edge are recommended.
• Open in Incognito/Private Mode: Use Ctrl+Shift+N on Chrome/Edge or Ctrl+Shift+P on Firefox to avoid cached files interfering.
• Disable Browser Extensions: Turn off ad-blockers or privacy tools that may block portal features.
• Update Your Browser: Ensure the browser is updated to the latest version.
• Try a Different Network: Switch to another Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot if pages fail to load.

Why early filing helps

Tax experts caution against waiting until the final hours, as portal traffic spikes close to midnight, increasing the risk of delays or errors. Filing early also allows sufficient time for e-verification, which is mandatory for the return to be considered valid.

Official reminder

The Income Tax Department has clarified that the deadline will not be extended beyond September 15, 2025. Taxpayers have been urged to complete filing and e-verification well before 11:59 PM. If problems persist, users should contact the official helpdesk through the portal for support.

By following these steps, taxpayers can reduce last-minute stress, avoid potential mistakes, and ensure their returns are submitted and verified on time.

Also Read: Income tax return filing: CBDT unlikely to extend deadline — here’s why