The Income Tax Department has made available the excel utilities for ITR-2 and 3 forms. This allows those with taxable capital gains, crypto income, and more to begin filing their income tax returns (ITRs) starting today. The extended due date to file ITR for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) is September 15, 2025. Previously only ITR-1 and ITR-4 were released (both online and excel utility) which enabled a limited set of taxpayers with specified income classifications to file their ITR.
Do note that only the excel utilities have been released. That means taxpayers who plan to file their ITRs through the online e-filing portal will have to wait. The online filing mechanism is yet to be enabled. Soon this facility is likely to be enabled by income tax department which will be separately notified.
The Income Tax Department said on X (formerly Twitter) on July 11, 2025: “Attention Taxpayers! Excel Utilities of ITR-2 and ITR-3 for AY 2025-26 are now live and available for filing.”
What is an Excel based ITR utility?
In the download section of the income tax department’s e-filing ITR portal, you can find the ITR-2 and ITR-3 utilities to download. After downloading, you will receive a Windows zip file. Extract this zip file and open the Excel file. The Excel file contains various schedules and options where you should enter your information as per requirements and declarations. After completing this, log in to the ITR e-filing portal to upload the file and submit your ITR. Remember to verify the filed ITR within 30 days of submission.
Who can file ITR-2?
According to the income tax department website as of July 11, 2025, ITR-2 can be filed by individuals or HUFs who:
Are not eligible to file ITR-1 (Sahaj)
Do not have income from profit and gains of business or profession and also do not have income from profits and gains of business or profession in the nature of:
interest
salary
bonus
commission or remuneration, by whatever name called, due to, or received by him from a partnership firm.
Have the income of another person like spouse, minor child, etc., to be clubbed with their income – if income to be clubbed falls in any of the above categories.
