Income Tax Department Releases ITR-6 Excel Utility for FY 2024-25 — Who Can Use It and Deadlines Explained

The Income Tax Department has officially rolled out the ITR-6 Excel Utility for the financial year 2024-25, enabling eligible taxpayers to file their returns with updated forms. Alongside this release, the department has extended the ITR filing deadline for certain taxpayers, giving them more time to comply with tax requirements this year.

Extended Deadlines for ITR Filing in FY 2024-25

Earlier, the due date for filing Income Tax Returns was 31 July, but for the current assessment year, the government has extended it to 15 September 2025 for taxpayers who are not required to get their accounts audited.
For taxpayers whose accounts must undergo audit, the deadline is 31 October 2025.

Tax experts advise against waiting until the last moment to file returns, as last-minute submissions often lead to errors, delayed refunds, or penalties.

Who Can File ITR-6?

The ITR-6 form is specifically designed for companies registered under the Companies Act, 2013 (or earlier versions of the law). However, there’s one important exception — companies claiming exemption under Section 11 of the Income Tax Act, which applies to income from property held for charitable or religious purposes, cannot use this form.

Eligible entities for ITR-6 include:

• Private Limited Companies

• Public Limited Companies

• One Person Companies (OPCs)

It’s important to note that ITR-6 is not for individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), or other taxpayers who must file using forms like ITR-1, ITR-3, or ITR-5.

Why Was the ITR Deadline Extended This Year?

The primary reason for the extension is the changes in income tax rules, especially related to capital gains. The Income Tax Department needed to incorporate these revisions into the ITR forms before allowing filings.

Since these updates took time to finalize, the government granted taxpayers additional weeks to ensure accurate compliance.

What Happens If You Miss the 15 September Deadline?

If you fail to submit your ITR by 15 September, you still have the option to file a belated return by 31 December 2025.

However, there are financial implications:

• Penalty:

  • ₹1,000 if your annual income is below ₹5 lakh

  • ₹5,000 if your annual income exceeds ₹5 lakh

• Interest Charges: Interest will be levied on any tax due.

• Refund Delays: Filing late often delays your tax refund processing.

Tax professionals strongly recommend filing on time to avoid penalties and ensure faster refunds.

Key Takeaways for Taxpayers

Check Eligibility – Only companies registered under the Companies Act (except Section 11 exempt entities) can use ITR-6.

Know the Deadlines – 15 September for non-audited taxpayers, 31 October for audited accounts.

Avoid Last-Minute Rush – File early to reduce errors and get refunds faster.

Be Aware of Penalties – Late filings cost money and time.

With the ITR-6 Excel Utility now available, companies can start preparing and submitting their returns without delay. The earlier you file, the smoother your tax process will be — and the less you’ll worry about penalties or interest.