ITR Due Date Extension: GCCI Urges Extension of Tax Return Deadline Due to Delays in Online Filing Portal:

ITR Due Date Extension: GCCI Urges Extension of Tax Return Deadline Due to Delays in Online Filing Portal The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, asking for an extension of the income tax return (ITR) filing deadline for individuals. This comes after a delay in releasing the necessary ITR forms and online tools needed to file taxes. Currently, the last date to file returns for salaried and non-audit taxpayers is July 31. GCCI director general Sanjay Amonkar said, "Tax utilities should ideally be made available at the beginning of the financial year. Given the delay, we request their immediate release. Additionally, extensions, if necessary, should be announced well in advance to enable taxpayers to plan their filings efficiently." Usually, the tax department releases the ITR forms before the financial year ends or at the start of the new one in April. But this year, the forms for assessment year 2025–26 were released late, and the digital tools to help people file their taxes still aren't ready. This makes it hard for taxpayers to prepare and submit their returns on time. Amonkar said, "The late release of the income tax utilities could make it difficult for taxpayers to complete the submissions in time and could result in rushed filing and errors. Taxpayers should not be subjected to penal costs for delayed return filing caused by the late release of the necessary utilities." He said the income tax portal will likely see heavy traffic once the tools are released and hopes they will work smoothly without glitches. GCCI has also raised these concerns with the chairperson of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Ravi Agrawal.