<h1>Tax authority reports over six crore returns for AY 2025-26; penalty-free filing extended to September 15</h1> The tax authority reported over six crore income tax returns filed for assessment year 2025-26, with the penalty-free filing deadline on September 15; a 24x7 helpdesk and multiple support channels are in operation to assist filers. The authority earlier extended the due date to September 15 for non-audited individuals, HUFs and similar entities due to structural and content revisions in return forms, which required updates to filing utilities and back-end systems. Filings have risen year-on-year, continuing a trend of expanding compliance and a widening tax base.