The income tax return (ITR) filing deadline for FY 2020-21 for individuals has already been extended to September 30, 2021, from the usual deadline of July 31, 2021. However, the new income tax e-filing portal has been marred by glitches and other problems from inception. The finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has given Infosys (the company which set up the new portal) time till September 15 to fix all the problems. However, this means that an individual is left with only 15 days to file ITR before the expiry of due date and that too with a new unfamiliar system which even experienced chartered accountants are finding a challenge. Chartered accountant society representatives are also saying that the deadline should be extended in view of the state of the e-filing portal. Therefore, it appears likely that the ITR filing deadline would be extended.
One should keep in mind that last year too, the government has extended the due date of filing ITR for individuals four times – first from July 31 to November 30, 2020, then to December 31, 2020, and finally to January 10, 2021.
ET Wealth online spoke to two chartered accountant societies and here’s what they have to say regarding extension of ITR filing deadline:
Chartered Accountant Deepak Shah, Chairman, Taxation Committee, Bombay Chartered Accountant Society says: “The ITR filing deadline for individuals, and entities other than companies whose accounts are not liable to audit, is September 30,2021. This should definitely be extended for the reason that the new income tax portal continues to have many glitches for the past two and a half months and these are yet to be resolved. We chartered accountants, as professionals, do not want that tax return filing dates get extended time and again, as this compounds our problems. We entirely support the governments endeavour for timely and complete compliance and extensions do create untold pressure though now there does not seem to be a choice. Our suggestion to the authorities in simple words, is it is like a GIVE & TAKE principle. ‘Give the taxpayer a proper glitch free site, efficient software, proper guidance well in advance, and expect proper timely compliance’ ..
Furthermore, considering the significant/multiple problems of the income tax portal which the government, income tax portal vendor, and all stakeholders are witnessing, the only option left is to suo-moto extend all the deadlines, that too well in advance, while ensuring that the glitches are solved expeditiously. This will result in better compliance and re-generate confidence in professionals and the taxpayers.”
Ketan Vajani, President, Chamber of Tax Consultants, says: “The income tax return for tax payers who are not required to get their books of accounts audited as per the income-tax provisions is due by September 30, 2021. The new income-tax portal which was launched on June 07, 2021 is riddled with technical glitches since its launch. The response time of the portal is very slow. Surprisingly, the website has discontinued support for uploading Form 10-IE, which is essent ..
Considering these genuine difficulties, it is appropriate for the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to consider extending the due dates for various compliance suo-moto. The Hon. Delhi High Court in the case of Avinash Gupta vs. Union of India (378 ITR 137) has observed that there is no justification for delay in prescribing statutory forms for compliance by the taxpayers and that the forms shall ideally be available on the 1st day of the assessment year. This year, though the forms were avail ..
Abhishek Soni, CEO, Tax2win.in, an ITR filing website, says, "Since the introduction of the new income tax website, there are a lot of technical glitches, due to which taxpayers are not able to file the income tax return. The portal was unavailable for two days i.e. on August 21 and 22. Further, the income tax portal is very slow. The pre-fill data, which was promised by the tax department in the new income tax portal, is also marred with glitches. The pre-fill data is either missing or not accurate which makes ITR filing difficult. Due to the technical glitches on the new income tax website, it is expected that the due date of income tax return may be further extended by the Income Tax Department."
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