Income Tax Portal Upgraded: July 31 Deadline for I-T Returns Likely to Remain
By: Admin
July 26, 2024
Categories: Income Tax News|News
4 Min Read
As the deadline for filing Income Tax (I-T) returns approaches on July 31, 2024, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has assured taxpayers that the deadline is unlikely to be extended. Recent interventions by the CBDT have significantly upgraded the Income Tax portal, addressing previous glitches and performance issues. This article provides an overview of the recent developments and what taxpayers need to know.
CBDT’s Action Plan to Fix Portal Issues
The Income Tax portal has experienced increased traffic and technical problems this year, leading to concerns about the July 31 deadline. In response, the CBDT has ramped up the portal’s back-end capacity to manage the higher workload. CBDT Chairperson Ravi Agarwal confirmed that the issues related to the portal’s performance have been resolved.
Agarwal highlighted that as of Wednesday, July 24, a record 28 lakh tax returns were filed with no downtime reported. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of the recent upgrades. The chairperson noted that per-hour filings are at an all-time high, which instills confidence in meeting the upcoming deadline.
Addressing Taxpayers’ Concerns
Taxpayers have faced challenges this year, particularly with delayed generation of TDS (Tax Deduction at Source) and Form 16 certificates. Agarwal acknowledged these issues, attributing delays to a significant rise in transactions and government officials being occupied with election duties. This situation resulted in a temporary backlog in issuing deduction certificates.
The CBDT has implemented corrective measures to address these delays. The hardware has been upgraded, and additional solutions have been put in place to ensure smoother operations. As a result, the portal’s performance has improved, and taxpayers are now able to access their TDS certificates without further issues.
Increased Transactions and Portal Performance
The I-T department has reported a 15% growth in TDS transactions and a 30% increase in third-party transactions this year. These higher volumes have put additional pressure on the portal’s infrastructure. The CBDT’s recent upgrades have been aimed at handling this surge in data more efficiently.
Agarwal emphasized that the increase in transactions and the backlog created by election-related duties were key factors in the previous delays. However, the situation has been rectified, and the portal is now fully operational. The CBDT has also addressed the reported slowness, ensuring that users experience minimal disruptions.
Looking Ahead: July 31 Deadline
With the upgraded infrastructure and resolved issues, the CBDT is confident that the Income Tax portal will be able to handle the remaining workload leading up to the July 31 deadline. Taxpayers are encouraged to complete their filings promptly to avoid last-minute issues.
The CBDT’s proactive approach in addressing the technical problems and upgrading the system reflects its commitment to facilitating a smoother tax filing experience for all users. Despite the earlier challenges, the portal’s improved performance should help taxpayers meet their filing obligations within the set deadline.
Conclusion
In summary, the Income Tax portal has undergone significant enhancements to address the technical issues faced earlier this year. With the July 31 deadline fast approaching, the CBDT’s recent measures are expected to ensure a seamless filing process. Taxpayers should now be able to file their returns with confidence, knowing that the portal is equipped to handle the increased demand.
For more updates on Income Tax returns and portal performance, stay tuned to our blog. #IncomeTax #ITReturns #CBDT #TaxFiling #TDS #IncomeTaxPortal #TaxDeadline #FinancialNews #TaxUpdates #July31Deadline
