The Income Tax Practitioners Association (ITPA), along with various legal and tax groups, has expressed strong disapproval of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for not extending the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs). This decision comes after many taxpayers reported experiencing technical difficulties and other challenges while trying to file their returns.
Associations quote issues that are carried on during return filing, like portal crashes, delays in Excel utility releases, and other persistent problems.
Joint Writ Petition
Association in answer has come to move legally. Before the Punjab & Haryana High Court, a joint writ petition shall be submitted to contest the decision of the CBDT.
Even after having the issues and hardships, CBDT has not extended the ITR due dates. ITPA, along with several Bar/Tax Associations in answer has passed a condemnation resolution. Before the Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana HC, a joint writ petition in collaboration with prominent tax Bars & CA Associations of Punjab & nearby regions will soon be submitted.
One-day Extension for ITR Filing Deadline
September 15 was the due date to submit the ITR for the Assessment year 2025-26; however, a one-day extension was allotted by CBDT, and it September 16 post getting repeated appeals from tax experts and practitioners.
Taxpayers who miss filing for September 16 can also submit their ITR by December 31, 2025, with penalties of Rs 1000 for incomes less than Rs 5 lakh and Rs 5000 for higher incomes. The interest on the taxes that have not been filed shall be applicable. Late filing restricts specific options such as switching between old and new tax regimes, carrying forward losses, and claiming some deductions.
Additional Tax Associations Raise Crises
Their concerns have been raised by other associations. The Karnataka State Chartered Accountants Association (KSCAA), Advocates Tax Bar Association (ATBA), and the Central India Regional Council (CIRC) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) have provided a representation to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Their request is towards distinct technical problems that upset taxpayers on the e-filing ITR portal.
