'Taxpayers Frustrated as Glitches Crash India’s ITR Portal, Demand Deadline Extension'

Business News: The government’s e-filing system has come under severe criticism as users report frequent crashes and long delays. Many say important forms simply refuse to load. With the deadline looming, panic has spread among salaried workers, small traders, and tax professionals alike. Taxpayers worry they may miss the deadline through no fault of their own. Failure to file on time can attract heavy fines. The lack of a government announcement on deadline extension has only added to the tension and uncertainty.

Chartered Accountants Vent Anger

Many CAs turned to social media to express frustration. Tushar Rawat accused the department of ignoring genuine appeals for more time. Others like Chirag Chauhan pointed out the portal had stopped responding completely, urging colleagues to retweet in protest.

Demands for Legal Action

Some professionals went further, suggesting negligence by tax officials amounts to criminal behavior. CA Saurav openly called for lawyers to file cases against the department. He argued taxpayers and practitioners cannot be punished for administrative failure beyond their control. Several others echoed his call, saying accountability should not stop at technical excuses. They stressed that repeated portal failures show deeper mismanagement. The pressure for legal remedies is now mounting alongside demands for deadline relief.

Young CAs Face Embarrassment

For new accountants, the glitches have been especially discouraging. Ayush Arora described how his first tax season turned humiliating as he failed to file returns for clients. Despite preparing all documents on time, the faulty portal left him red-faced.

He said the situation shook his confidence at the very start of his career. Many other young CAs reported similar struggles, saying clients grew frustrated. The episode has raised concerns about how the system discourages fresh professionals.

Growing Pressure on Authorities

Senior accountants like Vivek Khatri warned that problems remain widespread, with peers nationwide unable to complete submissions. Calls for extending the ITR deadline are growing louder by the hour. For now, taxpayers are waiting anxiously for government intervention. Industry associations are also weighing in, urging urgent action from the Finance Ministry. Experts say a short extension could calm panic and restore trust. Without clarity, the crisis may escalate into a legal and political storm.