Image Source: Mint
As the September 15 deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2024–25 looms, a wave of frustration is sweeping across India’s digital landscape. Taxpayers and professionals alike are flooding social media with urgent pleas to extend the deadline, citing persistent technical glitches on the Income Tax e-filing portal. With millions attempting to file returns in the final stretch, the system’s instability has sparked widespread concern and calls for immediate intervention.
Key Highlights from the Current Situation
Over six crore ITRs have already been filed for Assessment Year 2025–26, according to the Income Tax Department.
Despite this milestone, users are reporting login failures, slow navigation, and errors in accessing critical documents like Form 26AS, AIS, and TIS.
Hashtags such as #Extend_Due_Date_Immediately, #extend_ITR_TAR_duedates, and #itrextension are trending on social media platform X, reflecting the scale of public demand.
Technical Glitches and User Complaints
Login and Navigation Issues
Users have reported frequent auto-logouts and delays in page loading, especially during peak hours.
Some taxpayers experienced complete portal downtime, with the site failing to respond for extended periods.
Inaccessibility of Key Documents
Form 26AS, Annual Information Statement (AIS), and Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS) are reportedly unavailable or failing to download.
These documents are essential for accurate filing, and their absence has left many taxpayers unable to proceed.
Social Media Outcry
Tax professionals and individual filers have taken to X to voice their concerns, tagging the Income Tax Department and Finance Ministry.
Posts include screenshots of error messages and timestamps showing failed attempts to access the portal.
Government Response and Helpdesk Efforts
The Income Tax Department acknowledged the surge in filings and thanked taxpayers for helping reach the six crore mark.
A 24x7 helpdesk has been activated to assist users with ITR filing, tax payments, and related services.
Despite these efforts, the volume of complaints suggests that technical support alone may not be sufficient to resolve the bottleneck before the deadline.
Implications for Taxpayers
If the deadline is not extended, late filers may face penalties of up to ₹5,000, or ₹1,000 for those with taxable income below ₹5 lakh.
Delayed filings can also result in postponed refunds and increased scrutiny from tax authorities.
Professionals argue that punishing honest taxpayers due to system failures undermines trust in the digital filing process.
Political and Institutional Pressure
Several Members of Parliament have reportedly written to the Finance Minister requesting an extension of the deadline.
Industry bodies and tax associations are also lobbying for a grace period, citing the technical challenges and delayed release of ITR utilities.
Conclusion
With just hours left before the September 15 deadline, India’s tax filing ecosystem is under strain. The call for an extension is not just about convenience—it’s about fairness, functionality, and ensuring that digital infrastructure supports the scale of national compliance. Whether the Finance Ministry will heed these calls remains to be seen, but for now, taxpayers are holding their breath and refreshing their browsers.
Sources: Financial Express, NDTV Profit, Economic Times
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