Bikaner Tax Consultants Call for ITR Deadline Extension Due to ITD Portal Issues

Request for Extension of Income Tax Return Filing Deadline

The Bikaner Tax Consultants Association, a premier organization of chartered accountants and tax advocates in the Bikaner region, has formally sought an extension of the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline. In a letter dated July 20, 2024, addressed to Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Hon’ble Finance Minister, the Association outlined significant challenges faced by taxpayers and professionals due to technical issues with the Income Tax Department (ITD) portal and problems concerning Section 87A of the Income Tax Act.

Technical Issues with the ITD Portal

A primary concern raised by the Bikaner Tax Consultants Association is the technical disruptions that have plagued the ITD portal over the past week. These issues have made essential documents, including Form 26AS, Annual Information Statements (AIS), and Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) details, inaccessible. The deadline for filing ITRs for non-auditable cases is July 31, 2024, which aligns with the due dates for TDS returns and GSTR-3B under the GST regime. Therefore, the association requests an extension of the ITR filing deadline to August 31, 2024, to alleviate the hardship faced by taxpayers and professionals who cannot complete their filings due to these challenges.

Anomaly Related to Section 87A

The letter also highlights an anomaly concerning Section 87A, which offers a rebate to taxpayers with income up to Rs. 7 lakhs. Recent modifications to the ITD utility have inadvertently excluded taxpayers under the new tax regime (Section 115BAC) from receiving this rebate. This situation has generated difficulties for both professionals and taxpayers, opposing the government's goal of providing marginal relief to all eligible individuals. The Association urges the Finance Minister to rectify this issue and direct the relevant authorities to address the anomaly promptly.

Conclusion

The appeal from the Bikaner Tax Consultants Association emphasizes the need for immediate attention to the technical and procedural challenges affecting taxpayers and professionals. By extending the ITR filing deadline and resolving the Section 87A discrepancy, the government can offer essential relief and facilitate a smoother tax filing experience.