ITR deadline: Do I need to file ITR if my salary income is less than Rs 3 lakh? Know when you need to file ITR

The deadline for filing your income tax return (ITR) is September 15, 2025 for those who aren’t subject to an income tax audit. With just three weeks left, the tax department has started sending out SMS reminders about it.

The SMS read as follows: “Dear…, more than 3 Crore ITRs filed till date! Kindly file and e-verify your ITR for A.Y.2025-26 on e-filing portal before 15.09.25.-ITDept”

So, the next question that comes to mind is whether you need to file an income tax return. The answer is really simple. If your income exceeds the basic exemption limit as specified in the Finance Act, 2024, or you have engaged in certain specified transactions in FY 2024-25, then you have to report your income or loss in the ITR.

Check out the details below to learn more about the ITR filing rules.

Do I need to file ITR if my salary income is Rs 2.5 lakh?

Sanjoli Maheshwari , Executive Director, Nangia & Co LLP, explains that the income threshold for filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) for the Financial Year 2024-25 is based on the taxpayer’s total income and the tax regime chosen viz., Old or New.

Maheshwari says: “In case the total income of the taxpayer exceeds the basic exemption limit, the taxpayer should mandatorily file the ITR. The basic exemption limit is Rs 3 lakh for the new tax regime and Rs 2.5 lakh for the old tax regime.”

Also read: No income tax for wife who sold husband’s gifted land for Rs 17 crore; ITAT Bangalore ruling explained

How is the income threshold requirement for ITR filing calculated?

Maheshwari explains using an example:

Let's consider a 35-year-old individual for FY 2024-25 with the following incomes:

Salary: Rs 2,50,000

• Earned long-term capital gain (LTCG) from equity mutual funds: Rs 70,000
• Claimed deductions under Section 80C: Rs 1,00,000

Under Old regime:

Salary (Rs 2,50,000) + LTCG (Rs 70,000) – Deduction (80C)(Rs 1,00,000)= Rs 2,20,000
“Since the total income is less than the basic exemption limit of Rs 2,50,000, the taxpayer will not be required to file ITR in this scenario.”

Also read: Taxpayer to pay only Rs 33,000 income tax after selling a house for Rs 70 lakh; ITAT Mumbai ruling explained

Under New Regime:

Salary (Rs 2,50,000) + LTCG (Rs 70,000) – Deduction (80C)(NIL)= Rs 3,20,000

“Since the total income exceeds the basic exemption limit of Rs 3,00,000, the taxpayer would be required to file ITR in this scenario.”




Also read: Father receives Rs 4 lakh as cash gift in son’s marriage and wins income tax case of unexplained income; ITAT Ahmedabad ruling explained

Who needs to file an ITR for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) mandatorily?

Chartered Accountant Abhishek Soni, co-founder, Tax2Win explains the situations in which you need to file ITR for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) mandatorily -

1. When income is above the basic exemption limit

• If your total income before deductions (like 80C, 80D, etc.) is more than the basic exemption limit, you must file.

2. All companies and firms (including LLPs)

• They must file ITR every year, even if they have zero income or are in loss.

3. Residents with foreign assets or income

If you are a Resident and Ordinarily Resident (ROR) in India and have:

• a foreign bank account, property, shares, or
• are a beneficiary of such assets, or
• have signing authority in an overseas account —
• You must file, even if your total income is below the exemption limit.

4. High-value transactions

• Even if your income is below the basic exemption limit, you need to file if you carried out certain transactions (like large deposits, high electricity bills, foreign travel, etc.)

5. Claiming a refund of TDS or TCS

• If tax has been deducted from your income (like bank interest, salary, or mutual fund redemption) and you want that money back, you need to file an ITR.

6. Carrying forward losses

• If you made a loss (for example, in shares, mutual funds, or business) and want to carry it forward to adjust against future income, filing ITR within the due date is mandatory.