ITR Filling: Will the last date be extended this year or…, demand is…

ITR Filling: Like every year millions of taxpayers have filed their Income Tax Returns (ITRs). But like every year, several people forgot to file their ITRs. As per the latest data from the Income Tax Department, only 5.13 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) have been filed across India till September 9. The deadline is September 15. Out of the 513 crore ITRs the government has verified 4.84 crore returns, while 3.48 crore returns have been processed. In 2024, a total of 7.28 crore ITRs were filed by the last date.

ITR Filling: Will The Deadline Be Extended?

Experts, on the other hand, want the tax filing deadline to be extended. According to them, there was a delay in issuing the Excel utility for the income tax forms, due to which most of the taxpayers didn’t have the time to file their tax returns.

It is worth noting that the online facilities for ITR-1 and ITR-4 were released on June 4. The online facility for ITR-2 was released on July 17 and the utility for ITR-3 was released on July 30.

ITR Filling: What Are The Problems Faced By Taxpayers?

Taxpayers have raised the issue of not being able to file returns on time. RK Chatterjee, a taxpayer, took to X and said, Annual Information Statement is not accessible on the e-filing portal.

“Every year, as the filing deadline approaches, the AIS portal starts its drama. Blank screens, login issues, zero access. Taxpayers are left helpless at the crucial time,” he wrote X.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Till September 9, 5.13 crore ITRs were filed, the deadline is September 15.
• Experts seek an extension due to late release of ITR utilities and insufficient time for taxpayers.
• Taxpayers face portal glitches like inaccessible AIS, login failures, and delayed utilities.
• CAs highlight clashes with audit deadlines.

ITR Filling: Why CAs Are Worried?

According to chartered accountants, they are seeking extensions for – late issuance of ITR utilities, clash of dates etc.

“These include late issuance of ITR utilities, issues with the income tax portal and clash of dates with audit deadlines (September 30),” Pratibha Goyal said.

CA Ajay Bagadia highlighted the issue of not having access to AIS and TIS (taxpayer information statements).

ITR Filling: Will There Be An Extension?

However, some taxpayers believe that an extension for the deadline is not possible as only 5 days are left.

According to tax evangelist O P Yadav, the first extension of the deadline (September 15) is a relief for non-audit taxpayers, but further extension is doubtful.

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