Amid Cyclone Ditwah’s disruption and nationwide delays, Sri Lanka’s taxpayers have been handed an unexpected lifeline as the Inland Revenue Department extends the income tax deadline with a no-penalty promise.
The Inland Revenue Department has announced an extended grace period for all registered income taxpayers to submit their Income Tax Returns for the Assessment Year 2024/2025, allowing submissions until December 31. Earlier, the deadline had been pushed to December 8 due to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah and extreme weather conditions that disrupted services across the island. The Department stated that taxpayers who file their Returns of Income on or before December 31, 2025 will not face any legal consequences for late submission, including penalties, assessments or criminal proceedings. This decision is expected to ease the burden on individuals and businesses affected by the cyclone’s aftermath.
The Inland Revenue Department has requested all taxpayers who were unable to file their returns so far to take advantage of this grace period and complete their submissions without delay. The extension aims to support tax compliance while acknowledging the challenges caused by severe weather and nationwide disruptions.
