Why October 2025 becomes crunch time for taxpayers

September 27, 2025 Finance Talk Valli Sarvani

In a major relief to tax professionals, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the tax audit report (TAR) filing deadline from September 30 to October 31, 2025.

This move comes after directions from the Rajasthan and Karnataka High Courts, and growing pressure from tax practitioner bodies across the country.

Every year, around 40 lakh audit reports are filed before the due date. However, as of September 23, only 4 lakh had been submitted. With over 36 lakh still pending, an extension became practically necessary.

The CBDT, in its official notification, confirmed that the new specified date for audit report submission under the Income Tax Act for the financial year 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26) is October 31, 2025.

This extension, while welcome, has added to the already heavy compliance load for October.

The month now includes key deadlines for GST filings, TDS/TCS payments, EPF and ESIC compliance, ROC submissions, and income tax return (ITR) filing for companies and audited entities.

Some of the critical compliance dates in October 2025 include:

October 7: Deposit of TDS and TCS for September, along with quarterly TDS payments under various sections.
October 15: Issue of TDS certificates for August transactions, submission of Form 24G, quarterly TCS statement, and Forms 15G/15H.
October 30: Submission of challan-cum-statements for TDS deducted in September and issuance of TCS certificates.
October 31: Final date for ITR filing for companies and audited taxpayers, submission of tax audit reports, Form 3CEB for international transactions, and selection of new tax regimes under Sections 115BAC, 115BAD, 115BAE, and others.

Although many of these apply primarily to corporates and institutional taxpayers, October 31 is now the most crucial deadline for a vast number of businesses and professionals.

While the extension provides breathing room, it also turns October into a high-pressure month.

Taxpayers and professionals must stay organised and act early to avoid last-minute issues, penalties, or missed filings.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on March 02, 2017