What Is the Opening Date for ITR Filing in India?
What Is the Opening Date for ITR Filing in India?
Updated for FY 2024–25 & AY 2025–26
While most taxpayers know that the last date to file Income Tax Return (ITR) is usually 31st July, very few know about the opening date—the date when the government starts accepting ITRs for the financial year.
So, let’s answer the popular question:
“When does ITR filing open in India?”
Here's a complete guide based on how the system works and what to expect for FY 2024–25.
📅 What Is the Opening Date for ITR Filing?
The opening date for filing ITR depends on two key events:
1. When the Income Tax Department notifies the ITR forms
2. When the e-filing utility goes live on the official portal
Typically, the Income Tax Department starts accepting ITR filings between April and May, depending on the financial year.
🗓️ Expected ITR Filing Start Date for FY 2024–25
• Financial Year (FY): 2024–25 (1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025)
• Assessment Year (AY): 2025–26
• Expected Opening Date: Mid to Late April 2025
👉 For example, in the past:
• ITR filing for FY 2022–23 started on 20th May 2023
• ITR filing for FY 2023–24 started on May 20, 2024 (for most forms)
So, for FY 2024–25, you can expect ITR filing to begin by April–May 2025, once the Income Tax Portal releases the e-filing utilities.
🧾 Which ITR Forms Open First?
The order in which forms are released usually follows this pattern:
| ITR Form | Applicable To | Expected Release |
| ITR-1 | Salaried individuals with income < ₹50L | Early (April) |
| ITR-4 | Presumptive income taxpayers | Early (April) |
| ITR-2/3 | Business or capital gains cases | Later (May-June) |
📌 Salaried taxpayers and small businesses generally get early access.
💡 How to Stay Updated on the Opening Date?
To stay ahead:
• Check www.incometax.gov.in regularly
• Follow official updates from the Income Tax Department’s Twitter handle (@IncomeTaxIndia)
• Use platforms like ClearTax, TaxBuddy, or your CA’s portal—they usually notify you when ITR filing begins
🛑 Can You File ITR Before 1st April?
No.
You can’t file ITR before the financial year ends.
Filing begins only after 1st April of the new financial year (start of the assessment year). Even then, the e-filing utility must be live.
Final Words
The opening date for ITR filing in India typically falls between April and May, after the end of the financial year. For FY 2024–25, expect ITR filing to begin by April or May 2025, depending on when the Income Tax Department activates the filing portal.
