The Nagpur Chamber of Commerce Limited (NCCL) has approached the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court with a writ petition requesting an extension of the due date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) by assessees covered under tax audit. The chamber has urged that the deadline, currently set at October 31, be pushed to December 31.
The petition, signed by NCCL president and chartered accountant Kailash Jogani, highlights that the Income Tax Department released the ITR formats later than usual this year, leaving taxpayers with insufficient time for compliance. Jogani pointed out that while ITRs are due on October 31, tax audit reports (TARs) must be submitted a month earlier. An extension would automatically shift the TAR deadline to November 30, providing much-needed relief to businesses struggling to complete audits on time.
Key Reasons for Extension Request
- Delayed release of ITR utilities leading to a compressed compliance window.
- Technical glitches on the IT portal hampering smooth filing.
- Overlapping statutory deadlines adding to the burden.
- Festive season constraints reducing effective working days for professionals.
NCCL stressed that these factors together make it nearly impossible for taxpayers and professionals to meet deadlines without errors. A two-month extension, it argued, would ensure fair, accurate, and stress-free compliance.
Expert View
City-based tax consultant CA Naresh Jakhotia supported the demand, calling it both reasonable and necessary. He explained that every year professionals face severe challenges due to portal issues, overlapping dates, and the pressure of completing lakhs of audits within an impractical timeframe.
“This year, the situation is worse. Out of nearly 40 lakh audits required, only about 4 lakh have been filed so far with just days left. Clearly, without an extension, completing the task is humanly impossible,” he said.
Jakhotia further emphasized that tax audits are not routine filings but involve careful verification, analysis, and certification. “Rushed audits compromise accuracy, increase the risk of mistakes, and ultimately affect both taxpayers and the Revenue Department,” he cautioned.
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