The Income Tax Practitioners Association (ITPA), along with several Bar and Tax Associations, has passed a strong resolution condemning the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for refusing to extend Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadlines. This move comes despite continuous complaints of technical glitches and filing hardships faced by taxpayers.
Associations have pointed out repeated problems like portal crashes, delays in Excel utility releases and other persistent difficulties while filing returns. These ongoing issues, according to them, have left taxpayers struggling to complete filings smoothly.
What does the joint writ petition say?
In response, the associations have now joined hands to move legally. A joint Writ Petition will be filed before the Punjab & Haryana High Court to challenge CBDT’s decision. The update was shared by CA Himank Singla on X (formerly Twitter), who highlighted the collective effort being taken by various Tax Bars and Chartered Accountant Associations from Punjab and nearby regions.
“CBDT has refused to extend ITR deadlines despite persistent glitches & hardships. In response, ITPA along with several Bar/Tax Associations has passed a condemnation resolution. A joint Writ Petition, in collaboration with prominent Tax Bars & CA Associations of Punjab & nearby regions, will shortly be filed before the Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana HC,” he wrote.
CBDT has refused to extend ITR deadlines despite persistent glitches & hardships.
In response, ITPA along with several Bar/Tax Associations has passed a condemnation resolution. A joint Writ Petition, in collaboration with prominent Tax Bars & CA Associations of Punjab & nearby… pic.twitter.com/ycdpkWoDB6
— CA Himank Singla (@CAHimankSingla) September 16, 2025
Deadline extended by only one day
Initially the deadline for filing ITR for AY 2025-26 was September 15, but CBDT granted a one-day extension and made it September 16, after receiving repeated appeals from tax experts and practitioners.
Taxpayers who miss the September 16 deadline will still be able to file belated returns until December 31, 2025. However, they will face penalties: Rs 1,000 for incomes below Rs 5 lakh and Rs 5,000 for higher incomes. Additionally, interest on unpaid taxes will apply. Belated filing also limits certain options like switching between old and new tax regimes, carrying forward losses and claiming some deductions.
Other associations raise concerns
Meanwhile, several other associations have also voiced their concerns. The Karnataka State Chartered Accountants Association (KSCAA), Advocates Tax Bar Association (ATBA) and the Central India Regional Council (CIRC) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) have submitted a representation to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Their request focuses on the various technical issues troubling taxpayers on the e-filing ITR portal.