Introduction
The government recently extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) to 15th September 2025. While it might seem like a helpful move, it's causing serious problems for Chartered Accountants (CAs) and taxpayers. The government's unclear policies, combined with issues in the ITR utility software, are creating huge stress for everyone involved. Here's why.
1. Confusing Government Policies
The government keeps changing its tax rules without clear communication. These sudden changes create confusion, especially for tax professionals who have to stay on top of these updates. When the rules change last-minute, it's hard for everyone to keep up.
2. Government's ITR Utility Isn't Working Properly
The ITR utility provided by the government often doesn't work properly. Developers don't always understand the exact requirements of the law, and sometimes the software doesn't work well with new changes. This means CAs end up testing the software and fixing problems, wasting time instead of focusing on actual client work.
3. ITR Tools Are Never Ready on Time
The government's ITR utility is often still being developed just days before the filing deadline. So, professionals are left with incomplete or buggy tools to work with, making it harder to file returns accurately and on time.
4. CAs End Up as 'Testers'
Instead of helping clients file their taxes, CAs and tax experts find themselves acting as the testing team for the government's ITR utility. We have to figure out how to fix problems that should've been handled by the developers months ago.
5. Government Doesn't Consider Our Time
The government doesn't seem to understand the time pressures professionals face. Constant last-minute changes and tight deadlines leave little time for preparation or thorough work, putting us under a lot of stress.
6. Delayed ITR Filing Means More Interest for the Government
When ITRs are filed late, taxpayers are required to pay interest (under Section 234). This benefits the government because it earns extra money. But this means taxpayers are penalised for something that is often out of their control.
7. Government Gains Interest on Refunds
If a taxpayer is due for a refund, the government earns interest on that refund for 1.5 extra months. This is another way the government benefits from delayed filings, leaving taxpayers stuck waiting for their money.
8. CAs' Cash Flow Takes a Hit
Delays in filing affect the entire tax process, and CAs end up facing cash flow problems. The extension might sound like a relief, but it just delays all other work-like audits, GST filings, and more-creating a financial strain for professionals.
9. Delayed Work Affects Other Services
When ITR filings are delayed, it pushes back all other important work like audits and GST filings. This creates a backlog, and CAs struggle to keep up with multiple deadlines that overlap, causing more pressure on their resources.
10. Increased Pressure Without More Time
While the government extended the ITR deadline, it didn't extend other deadlines like audits or GST filings. This means professionals are still stuck trying to meet conflicting deadlines, leading to more stress and mistakes.
Conclusion: Government Needs to Step Up
The government's decisions are creating more problems than they solve. Constant changes to tax rules, poor performance of the ITR utility software, and unrealistic deadlines are putting too much pressure on tax professionals and taxpayers alike. If the government doesn't address these issues, the strain on everyone will keep growing. It's time for a more thoughtful approach to tax reform.
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