Income Tax Return Filing 2025: BJP MPs Demand Extension Amid Portal Glitches

The Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline for 2025 is fast approaching, and taxpayers across India are facing significant challenges due to technical glitches on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal. As a result, there are growing calls for the government to extend the deadline to ensure smooth compliance.

Current ITR Filing Deadline

The original ITR filing deadline for individual taxpayers was July 31, 2025.
Due to delays in the release of updated ITR forms and utilities, the government had extended the deadline to September 15, 2025.
Despite this extension, taxpayers are encountering issues accessing key documents such as:
- Annual Information Statement (AIS)
- Form 26AS
- Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS)

These issues are affecting timely filing, especially for salaried employees and taxpayers with multiple income sources.

BJP MPs Request Further Extension

Amid these challenges, several political representatives have formally requested the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, to consider an extension beyond September 15.

Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJP MP)
PP Chaudhary (BJP MP)

These MPs highlighted:

Persistent technical difficulties on the ITR portal.
Reduced number of effective working days for taxpayers due to the portal downtime.
Risk of penalties for taxpayers unable to file by the extended date.

The appeal underscores growing concern across both political and taxpayer communities.

Current Status of Extension

As of now, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has not issued any notification for further extension.
Taxpayers are advised to file their ITR before the September 15 deadline to avoid penalties.
Belated Returns: Filing after September 15 is allowed until December 31, 2025, but comes with:
- Late fees up to ₹5,000
- Possible delays in refund processing

Common ITR Portal Issues

Taxpayers are facing the following issues on the e-filing portal:

Issue	Possible Solution
Unable to access AIS or Form 26AS	Clear browser cache, try a different browser or device
Login errors	Use updated browser and check internet connectivity
Upload failures	Compress documents, check format, or retry during off-peak hours
Slow response	Access portal during non-peak hours (early morning/late night)
Error messages during filing	Contact Income Tax helpline for guidance

The Income Tax Department helpdesk is available 24/7 to assist taxpayers facing these issues.

Key Takeaways for Taxpayers

File before September 15, 2025 if possible, to avoid penalties.
If unable to meet the deadline, belated filing is allowed until December 31, 2025.
Keep digital copies of all forms and receipts for reference.
Monitor official updates from CBDT regarding any extension announcements.
Use alternate devices or browsers to overcome portal glitches.

Conclusion

The ITR filing process for 2025 has been challenging due to technical glitches, and the request from BJP MPs to extend the deadline highlights the gravity of the issue. While no further official extension has been announced yet, taxpayers should prioritize filing before September 15 to avoid penalties and ensure timely refund processing.

With careful preparation and use of portal alternatives, taxpayers can navigate the challenges and complete their ITR filing smoothly.