ITR filing deadline: The deadline of filing the income tax return (ITR) for AY 2025-26 is approaching and a large number of taxpayers are rushing to the website. However, many are finding it difficult to operate due to frequent technical glitches and are flagging the same on social media.

The income tax department on Saturday said that users should clear their cache while logging into the portal, however several errors are still troubling the taxpayers. 

A few Chartered Accountants also took to X and shared the visuals of the non-working ITR portal. 

CAs flag errors on income tax department website

CA associations and tax lawyers have urged the government to extend ITR and audit deadlines for AY 2025–26. Many have shared the same on X, adding that for hours the website has not been working. According to an IANS report, the Karnataka State Chartered Accountants Association (KSCAA) sent a representation to the ministry to explain their demand. The KSCAA cited the following reasons:

  • ITR-5, ITR-6, ITR-7 and key audit forms released only in July-August, not by April 1 as per usual practice.
  • Frequent glitches, downtime, AIS discrepancies and error messages during peak filing periods.
  • Returns under Sections 54/54F wrongly asked for CGAS utilisation details despite full investment.
  • GST, MCA and tax audit timelines clashing with ITR deadlines.
  • ICAI’s Guidance Note on NCE financials adds audit burden with expanded disclosures.
  • National holidays and weather disruptions further cut compliance time
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Central India Regional Council (CIRC) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Advocates Tax Bar Association (ATBA) also demanded the ministry for an extension of ITR and audit deadlines.

A CA said that despite multiple attempts to pay the tax, the portal is not responding at all. “Tried making payment of tax but the portal isn’t responding after many tries also !!” he said.

“This is really frustrating. What should we do ? My staff says : Sir can we file the return quoting a fake challan and then after due date paying that challan before the ITR getting processed Is it right ? @IncomeTaxIndia @FinMinIndia 

Please confirm can we proceed to save ourselves from Late Fees & Interest ?” the CA added.

“Dear @IncomeTaxIndia, I have been unable to pay even a single challan since morning,” said another, who goes by the name of CA Nagachandra Somu. 

“Kindly do not post the usual screenshots saying ‘Portal is working fine’. Please fix the issue. #Extend_Due_Date_Immediately #extend_ITR_TAR_duedates,” he added.

Notably, the deadline to submit ITR for AY 2025-26 is September 15. This is an extended date after the government allowed people to file return beyond usual deadline of July 31.

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What if ITR filing gets delayed

As stated, the last date for ITR filing 2025 is 15 September and the Income Tax Department has not yet taken any decision on ITR deadline extension 2025.

In such a situation, if a taxpayer misses the ITR due date, then he or she may have to face many financial losses. The biggest loss will be that the person will not be able to change the Tax Regime, that is, if you wanted to go from Old to New regime or vice versa, then this option will not be available in belated return.

Also, the benefit of Loss carry forward is also available only to those who file by ITR last date 2025. Belated ITR filing can be done till 31 December 2025 but it will attract a penalty of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 and interest will also have to be paid. Updated return i.e. ITR-U can be filed till 31 March 2030 but refund claims cannot be made in it. Therefore, completing ITR filing AY 2025-26 in time is the best option.