Taxpayers' demand for extension of deadline for filing of income tax returns as date nears

For the last few days, taxpayers from all walks of life have been urging the Government to extend the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing due date for AY 2022-23 (FY 2021-22).

The last date for filing Income Tax Return is July 31, which is just four days away.

Many users have complained about technical glitches on the e-filing website. However, the Centre has made it clear that there is no plan to extend the ITR filing due dates this year.

Union Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj has made it clear that the government does not have any plan to extend the deadline. "So far, there is no thinking of extending the last date of filing," Bajaj was quoted as saying.

He added, "last time, we had over 50 lakh (filing returns on the last date). This time, I have told my people to be ready for 1 crore (returns filed on the last day)."

The statement comes days after the All India Federation of Tax Practitioners (AIFTPs), an association of advocates, chartered accountants, and tax practitioners, had requested the Ministry of Finance and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for an extension.

Amidst the requests for an extension in the deadline, the apex body of CAs, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), has announced not to make a representation to the Finance Ministry for an extension of the due date.

ICAI, on Monday, asked its members not to take any pressure for filing ITR while making it clear that it is "not in favour of making any representation for extension of any due date."

Over 2.8 crore ITRs have been filed till July 20, according to government data.

The hashtag "#Extend_Due_Date_Immediately" was trending on Twitter, with widespread requests for an immediate extension, with just four days to go for the deadline.

Taxpayers must submit their ITR for the financial year 2021-22 online before the end of the deadline to avoid any fine or penalty and legal consequences.