The countdown is on for millions of taxpayers in India as the deadline to file Income Tax Returns for the financial year 2024-25 approaches on September fifteenth. Despite the urgency, the official portal of the Income Tax Department is showing signs of strain, leaving many individuals struggling to complete their filings on time. As of September seventh, only four crore eighty-nine lakh returns had been submitted out of over thirteen crore thirty-five lakh registered users. Of these submissions, four crore sixty-three lakh returns have been verified and just three crore thirty-five lakh processed, reflecting the slow pace of filings amid growing concerns about system performance.
Tax experts and trade bodies have highlighted that the portal has been experiencing repeated technical difficulties, making the filing process challenging for both individual taxpayers and professionals assisting clients. The delays are compounded by the unusually high compliance workload this year and the late release of updated ITR utilities, which has left many users scrambling to meet the deadline. Technical issues reported include repeated login failures, session timeouts during peak hours, and mismatches in critical statements such as the Annual Information Statement, the Taxpayer Information Summary, and Form twenty-six AS.
Several industry groups and professional associations have formally appealed to the Central Board of Direct Taxes for an extension of the filing deadline. The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Chartered Accountants Association in Surat pointed out that systemic delays are creating additional pressure on taxpayers.
The Bombay Chartered Accountants Society submitted a request for extension covering not only ITR filings but also tax audits and transfer pricing deadlines, citing unresolved system errors as a major hurdle. Similarly, the Tax Bar Association in Bhilwara highlighted persistent technical difficulties that prevent users from completing filings efficiently.
Despite these challenges, the Income Tax Department continues to encourage taxpayers to complete their filings on time to avoid penalties and interest. Experts suggest that individuals and businesses should prepare documents in advance, verify all forms for consistency, and make use of available online resources to navigate portal issues efficiently. Professionals assisting clients are also advising staggered filing throughout the day to avoid peak traffic on the system.
With just a few days left before the September fifteenth deadline, the situation has intensified calls for a formal extension from the government. Such a move would provide relief to millions of taxpayers and enable them to file accurate returns without the risk of system-induced errors. Tax authorities have acknowledged some of these challenges and are reportedly working to improve server capacity and address technical issues before the deadline.
Taxpayers are encouraged to remain vigilant, complete their filings as early as possible, and regularly check official updates from the Income Tax Department. Staying informed and proactive can help reduce last-minute stress and prevent penalties due to delayed submissions.
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