ITR filing deadline extension: Why hopes for an extension of the last date to file ITR are fading

As of July 22, 2024, over 4 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) have been submitted, showing an increase of over 8% compared to the filings during the same period last year, according to information available on the income tax department’s website. Data from the Press Information Bureau indicates that the milestone of 4 crore filed ITRs was reached on July 24, 2023, for the previous year.The Income Tax Department has not responded to requests from many Chartered Accountants and taxpayers for an extension of the July 31 deadline. It is highly unlikely that there will be any extension, as the number of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) filed per day has already crossed 15 lakh as of July 16 and is expected to increase daily as the July 31, 2024 due date approaches. According to the CBDT chairman, on July 23 alone, 22 lakh ITRs were filed.

Last year, a total of 6.77 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) were filed by July 31, 2023. Comparing the numbers, it is expected that the current figures will soon surpass the previous ones.

This is one reason why the tax department is not likely to extend the last date to file ITRs for FY 2023-24.

The Income Tax department has alerted the public about false information that appeared in a well-known newspaper in Gujarat. According to the department, a screenshot of the news is being shared on social media, asserting that the deadline for e-filing of ITR has been prolonged until August 31, 2024. The department has clarified that this claim is untrue and that the deadline to file ITR for FY2023-24 is July 31, 2024.

In addition, the tax department is working with service providers to fix major issues on the e-filing portal.Extend ITR deadline to August 31; ‘Why the income tax return filing last date needs to be extended this year’The CBDT chairman, according to a PTI news report said, “We are engaging closely with our service providers Infosys, IBM and Hitachi who are on the job. The volumes are high and the compliance is also good… I have been assured that the website will function properly”.

Despite the numerous technical issues on the e-filing portal, including problems with Aadhaar-based OTP authentication, slow page loading, and upload errors, it is unlikely that the deadline for filing ITR will be extended unless there is a significant technical issue on the website.

According to the Income Tax website, “Taxpayers facing any technical problem related to filing may reach out to our tollfree helpdesk numbers (1800 103 0025 or 1800 419 0025) or [email protected]”

Chartered accountant associations have been writing to the tax department asking them to rectify these issues at the earliest.

Here are some of the social media post on X, requesting for extension due to glitches
Can u explain what type error is showing , Whole day experiencing variety of errors. Kindly accept and consider the portal problem and #extend_due_date

Not able to download any thing from website since last 3 days.

Portal is in the mood to relax on Saturday n Sunday… Baaki din kaam nahi karna chhatha .. pls extend the date or fix the issue

Respected all, what is the point of #Extend_due_date_immediately on the last date. Disregarding suggestions and requests of industry bodies and professionals is not a good sign of governance.