ITR Filing Last Date Today: What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

The last date for filing your income tax return (ITR) for the financial year 2022-23 is today, July 31, 2023. If you miss the deadline, you will face a number of consequences, including late fees, loss of interest on refunds, and even prosecution.

Image source: WikiMedia

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

If you miss the deadline for filing your ITR, you will be liable to pay a late fee. The amount of the late fee depends on your total income. For individuals with a total income of Rs. 5 lakh or more, the late fee is Rs. 5,000. For individuals with a total income of less than Rs. 5 lakh, the late fee is Rs. 1,000.

In addition to the late fee, you will also lose out on any interest that you would have earned on your refund. If you are due a refund, you will only start earning interest on the refund amount from the date after the deadline.

If you miss the deadline for filing your ITR, you may also be prosecuted by the Income Tax Department. However, prosecution is usually only pursued in cases where there is a significant amount of tax due or where the taxpayer has deliberately tried to evade taxes.

How to File Your ITR on Time

If you have not yet filed your ITR, you can do so online through the Income Tax Department's website. You can also file your ITR offline by submitting a paper return to the Income Tax Department.

Here are the steps on how to file your ITR online:

1. Go to the Income Tax Department's website.
2. Click on the "File ITR" tab.
3. Select the type of ITR you need to file.
4. Enter your PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account details.
5. Enter your income and expenses for the financial year.
6. Review your ITR and submit it.

Here are the steps on how to file your ITR offline:

1. Download the ITR form from the Income Tax Department's website.
2. Fill out the ITR form.
3. Sign the ITR form.
4. Submit the ITR form to the Income Tax Department.

Tips for Filing Your ITR on Time

• Start early. Don't wait until the last minute to file your ITR. This will give you plenty of time to gather all of the necessary information and to avoid any last-minute problems. 
• Make sure you have all of the necessary information. You will need to have your PAN card, your Aadhaar card, and your bank account details. You will also need to have your income and expenses records for the financial year.
• Use the Income Tax Department's website. The Income Tax Department's website is a user-friendly platform that makes it easy to file your ITR online. * Get help if you need it. If you need help filing your ITR, you can get help from a tax professional.
  

Conclusion

The deadline for filing your ITR for the financial year 2022-23 is today, July 31, 2023. If you miss the deadline, you will face a number of consequences, including late fees, loss of interest on refunds, and even prosecution. To avoid these consequences, it is important to file your ITR on time. You can file your ITR online through the Income Tax Department's website or offline by submitting a paper return.

Call to Action

If you have not yet filed your ITR, don't wait any longer. Start filing your ITR today!