Extension of ITR Filing Deadline? 11 Glitches on E-Filing ITR Portal
The July 31, 2024, deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) is fast approaching, but many taxpayers are struggling with technical glitches and issues on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal. From difficulties logging in and e-verifying returns to discrepancies in pre-filled data, the portal problems have led to a surge of complaints on social media and urgent requests from chartered accountant associations to extend the ITR filing deadline beyond July 31.
Also Read-How to Calculate Your Income Tax in India: Step-by-Step Guide
According to a letter from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to the Income Tax Department last week, taxpayers and professionals are facing numerous challenges while using the e-filing portal to submit their ITRs. “Many taxpayers are facing difficulty in relation to Form 26AS/AIS/TIS due to glitches in the income-tax e-filing portal,” wrote Piyush S Chhajed, Chairman of ICAI’s Direct Taxes Committee.
| Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Access problems and discrepancies | Taxpayers are having trouble accessing Form 26AS/AIS, and there are often discrepancies between figures in different statements. |
| Limited response options | The AIS/TIS portal doesn’t always offer adequate options for taxpayers to respond to the information reflected |
| Delayed updates | Even after updating responses, many find that changes don’t appear promptly in TIS. |
| Technical glitches | Continuous buffering on the portal makes it difficult to complete form-filling |
| Mismatch in pre-filled data | Pre-filled data in ITR sometimes doesn’t match data in Form 26AS |
| Dividend income issues | For taxpayers with business income, reflecting dividend income in Schedule OS is problematic. |
| Error messages | Taxpayers receive error messages while trying to file, delaying the process. |
| Non-receipt of OTPs | Some aren’t receiving the OTP needed for authentication |
| Downloading issues | Problems downloading ITR receipts, which are proof of submission, have been reported. |
Taxpayers Vent Frustrations on Social Media.
Scores of frustrated taxpayers have taken to platforms like Twitter to vent about the ongoing e-filing portal problems as the ITR deadline draws nearer. Many are tagging the Income Tax Department’s official handles, pleading for a resolution or an extension of the July 31 due date.
“I’m Trying to file my ITR, but the e-filing portal keeps throwing up errors! It’s so frustrating; it feels like I’m going in circles. @IncomeTaxIndia, please look into this urgently,” tweeted one exasperated taxpayer.
Another wrote: “E-verification is simply not working on the ITR portal. Have generated multiple OTPs but still can’t get through. With just 2 weeks left for the deadline, this is getting really stressful! Any word on an extension? @IncomeTaxIndiaOfficial”
ICAI, Tax Associations Appeal for ITR Deadline Extension.
The ICAI isn’t alone in flagging the ITR e-filing portal issues to the Income Tax Department. Multiple chartered accountant and tax professional associations across the country have written to the tax authorities, highlighting the difficulties faced by taxpayers and requesting a deadline extension.
The Karnataka State Chartered Accountants’ Association (KSCAA) also sent a representation to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Finance Ministry, stating that taxpayers are unable to file their ITRs due to the portal glitches. The association emphasized that the issues are creating immense hardship and mental stress, especially with the July 31 deadline looming.
“The CBDT needs to take immediate measures to resolve the issues and provide an extension of the due date to file ITRs by 2-3 months,” said the KSCAA in its letter. It added that the extension would provide much-needed relief to taxpayers struggling with the dysfunctional e-filing portal.
11 Key Glitches Affecting ITR E-Filing Portal.
Based on the grievances raised by taxpayers and tax professionals, here’s a closer look at 11 key technical glitches plaguing the Income Tax e-filing portal:
- Logging in issues: Many users have reported intermittent difficulties logging into the e-filing portal, possibly due to system overload or maintenance activities. This has impacted not only ITR filing but also other compliances like replying to notices.
- Access and download problems: Taxpayers have complained about numerous instances of being unable to access or download vital forms like 26AS, AIS and TIS. The time-consuming glitch has caused much anxiety with the deadline barely two weeks away.
- Data discrepancies: There appears to be a significant mismatch between the pre-filled data on the e-filing portal and the information available in Form 26AS/AIS. Inconsistencies between the forms are also causing confusion.
- Limited response options: The AIS/TIS portal is offering restricted options for taxpayers to submit responses to the data reflected in those statements. This is hindering their ability to provide accurate and complete information.
- Password reset glitches: Users are facing hurdles in resetting their e-filing portal passwords due to non-generation of OTPs, leading to delays in ITR filing.
- Challan generation issues: Glitches in generating challans for tax payments on the portal are causing much stress, as taxpayers worry about potential consequences of late filing or non-filing.
- Vague error messages: Unknown and vague error messages are frequently popping up during the ITR submission stage. The lack of clear resolutions or explanations is making it difficult for filers to complete the process.
- Filing and verification troubles: Apart from the filing issues due to technical glitches and buffering, many taxpayers are struggling to e-verify their submitted ITRs because of OTP failures. The reduced 30-day window for e-verification has added to their woes.
- Multiple OTP failures: Since OTPs are not getting generated in real-time, some taxpayers are resorting to generating multiple OTPs. However, these are not getting validated, further compounding their problems.
- ITR receipt download issues: Even after managing to file their ITRs, many taxpayers are complaining that they are unable to download the acknowledgment receipt.
- Form 67 problems: Taxpayers needing to file Form 67 for LTC claims are unable to do so due to issues in accessing the relevant portal. This is preventing them from making legitimate leave travel allowance claims.
Will ITR Filing Deadline Be Extended?
With the swell of complaints about the malfunctioning e-filing portal and appeals by several tax associations, the big question is whether the government will agree to extend the July 31 ITR filing deadline. However, the Income Tax Department has not yet given any official indication of such a move.
In the meantime, the tax authorities have said they are working to resolve the portal glitches, but haven’t committed to a timeline. The CBDT has also instructed Infosys, which designed the e-filing portal, to address the fresh crop of tech problems flagged by the ICAI and taxpayers.
Despite the persisting issues, ITR filing for the assessment year 2024-25 is on the rise as the deadline approaches. As of July 14, over 2.7 crore ITRs had been filed, a 13% jump from the same period last year. The daily filing rate crossed 13 lakh on July 13 and is expected to soar in the final days of the month.
What Taxpayers Can Do.
While taxpayers await clarity on a possible ITR deadline extension, experts say it’s best not to delay the filing process further. In case the July 31 due date isn’t relaxed, a last-minute scramble could mean battling even more technical snags on the portal.
“The wise thing would be to start collating all the documents and file your ITR well in time. If you still encounter problems on the e-filing portal, at least you will have some buffer to get them resolved before the deadline,” advises Kuldip Kumar, a tax and investment expert.
Taxpayers facing specific glitches can also try reaching out to the Income Tax Department’s helpdesk or their chartered accountant for guidance. Some of the portal issues may get resolved with simple troubleshooting steps like updating personal information, using the latest version of utilities, or restarting the filing process.
Key Takeaways.
- The July 31 deadline for filing ITRs for the financial year 2023-24 is fast approaching
- However, many taxpayers are facing a host of technical glitches on the Income Tax e-filing portal
- Issues range from login and access problems to data discrepancies and vague error messages
- Several tax associations, including the ICAI, have urged the CBDT to extend the ITR filing deadline
- The Income Tax Department has acknowledged the portal issues but not yet indicated any extension
- Experts advise taxpayers to start filing ITRs early to avoid last-minute technical problems
- Those facing specific glitches can seek help from the IT Department helpdesk or their chartered accountant
As the ITR filing deadline draws closer, taxpayers will be hoping for a swift resolution of the e-filing portal problems and an extension of the July 31 due date. Keep watching this space for the latest updates on the ITR filing process and deadlines.
Discover more from TaxGst.in
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
C.K. Gupta
Hello, I am C.K. Gupta Founder of Taxgst.in, a seasoned finance professional with a Master of Commerce degree and over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance. My extensive career has been dedicated to mastering the intricacies of financial management, tax consultancy, and strategic planning. Throughout my professional journey, I have honed my skills in financial analysis, tax planning, and compliance, ensuring that all practices adhere to the latest financial regulations. My expertise also extends to auditing, where I focus on maintaining accuracy and integrity in financial reporting. I am passionate about using my knowledge to provide insightful and reliable financial advice, helping businesses optimize their financial strategies and achieve their economic goals. At Taxgst.in, I aim to share valuable insights that assist our readers in navigating the complex world of taxes and finance with ease.
