What is the time limit for filing an income tax return?

What is the maximum time to file taxes?

The due date for filing your federal income tax return is typically April 15 if you're a calendar year filer. Generally, most individuals are calendar year filers. For individuals, the last day to file your 2025 taxes without an extension is April 15, 2026.

Can I file an income tax return late?

The last date to file your Income Tax Return (ITR) for Financial Year 2024–25 (Assessment Year 2025–26) is 16 September 2025. If you miss this deadline, a late filing fee of Rs. 5,000 will apply.

How long do I have to complete a tax return?

Understanding tax years

It's this 2024/25 tax year that you have to submit a tax return for by the end of January 2026. The 2025/26 tax year we're currently in started on 6 April 2025 and will end on 5 April 2026. Tax returns for 2025/26 will be due by 31 January 2027.

What happens if I do a late tax return?

In addition to a fine, the ATO can also apply General Interest Charges (GIC), on any amount still owing. Note: The rate for GIC changes quarterly. At the time of writing this article, the rate is 10.61% per annum (October – December 2025).

Can I file my taxes if I haven't filed in 3 years?

You risk losing your refund if you don't file your return. If you are due a refund for withholding or estimated taxes, you must file your return to claim it within 3 years of the return due date. The same rule applies to a right to claim tax credits such as the Earned Income Credit.

How many years can I backdate my tax return?

The general rule is that a refund or repayment cannot be claimed more than four years after the end of the relevant tax year. For example: if you are claiming a refund for the 2024-25 tax year, you add four years to 2025. You must make your claim by 5 April 2029.

How to file an old income tax return?

To file a belated ITR, follow the below steps:

1. Login to the income tax e-filing portal.
2. Select the ITR form that matches your pay, deductions, and exemptions.
3. Input your income, tax details, and other mandatory information in the ITR form.
4. Ensure 'Return filed under section 139(4)' under 'Filing Status.

What is the oldest tax return you can file?

Technically, you can file back taxes for any past year you are missing. However, in most situations, only the past six years are required to be in good standing with the IRS. The recommendation is to file all past due tax returns, regardless of whether you can pay past due taxes.

What happens if you've never filed taxes?

What happens if you never file taxes? If you never file taxes, you can miss out on thousands of dollars of tax credits every year. If you owe, the IRS will eventually find you and assess taxes and penalties against you. You may even face criminal charges if you didn't file due to evasion.

What is the 5 year rule for taxes?

The 5-year rule for Roth IRAs just means you must wait five years from a certain point in time before you can take those tax-free and penalty-free distributions. Often, people taking distributions from their Roth IRAs are already complying with the 5-year rule without even knowing it.

How many years can HMRC go back for taxes?

HMRC's investigations can only go back a certain amount of time based on how serious the situation is, as outlined in the table below: Genuine mistakes - investigate back 4 years. Carelessness - investigate back 6 years. Offshore matters/offshore transfers - investigate back 12 years.

What is the last date for income tax return 2025?

Was the ITR last date extended to 15 September 2025 or 16 September 2025? Yes, the ITR due date was initially extended to 15th September, 2025. And it was later extended to 16th September, 2025, thereby making the return filing due date for FY 2024-25 16th September.

How long do I have to complete my tax return?

If you're lodging your own your tax return, it is due by 31 October. If you lodge through a registered tax agent, they'll tell you when they will lodge your tax return.

How many years return can be filed now?

Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act allows taxpayers to file an Updated Return or ITR-U within 4 years from the end of the relevant assessment year, with additional penalties based on the filing timeline. If you missed filing the ITR for FY 2023-24 (AY 2024-25), you can still file it before 31st March 2029.

What is the maximum penalty for late filing of an individual income tax return?

If you owe tax and don't file on time (with extensions), there's also a penalty for not filing on time. The failure-to-file penalty is usually five percent of the tax owed for each month, or part of a month that your return is late, up to a maximum of 25%.

What are the consequences of not filing income tax return?

defaulter can be punished with rigorous imprisonment and fine. However, no prosecution is called for defaulters other than company, if tax payable on income is less than Rs 3,000 after giving effect to Advance tax and TDS credits.

What is the deadline for the tax return in Germany?

What is the deadline for the tax return in Germany? If you are obligated to submit a tax return, you can submit it any time between January 1 and July 31 the following year (i.e. July 31, 2022, for your 2021 tax return).

What's the longest you can go without filing your taxes?

While there is a 10-year time limit on collecting taxes, penalties, and interest for each year you do not file, the period of limitation does not begin until the IRS makes what is known as a Deficiency Assessment. Additionally, you have to consider the state you live in.

What happens if you file after October 15th?

If you file more than 60 days after the due date, the minimum penalty is $525 (for tax returns required to be filed in 2026) or 100% of your unpaid tax, whichever is less.