One in four taxpaying citizen yet to file IT returns with 3 days to deadline

• 14% taxpayers say they will not be able to meet the deadline.
  
• 70% surveyed said that they have already completed filing their income tax (IT) returns.
  
• Taxpayers cite inability to file returns due to the effect of floods in various parts of India.
  

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra said last week that the possibility of extending the deadline for filing income tax returns for the financial year 2022-2023 beyond July 31, 2023, is unlikely. He advised taxpayers to expedite the process of filing their income tax returns before the mentioned deadline. However, according to community social media platform LocalCircles, 27% of individual income taxpayers surveyed are yet to file their FY2023 income tax returns. Moreover, 14% say they will not be able to meet the deadline.

The surveyed have said that the delay in filing returns is primarily because India is grappling with the effects of heavy monsoon and floods in July, causing havoc in various regions.

States like Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Delhi NCR have been impacted by floods, landslides, and excessive rains, resulting in the displacement of thousands of people. The floods have led to power outages that last for hours and even days in some areas, disrupting the lives and work of many individuals.

Based on the feedback from community discussions on LocalCircles, it appears that people are suggesting the Government to consider a two-week deadline extension for filing income tax returns.

Where do things stand, as per the survey

Out of over 12,000 respondents, one in four tax paying citizens admitted that they have not yet filed their income tax returns, as mentioned earlier.

Out of these, 5% encountered difficulties but intend to try again before July 31, while 8% expressed confidence that they will comfortably file before the month-end. 9% stated it would be impossible for them to file before the deadline. This translates to approximately 14% of the respondents may likely be unable to meet the income tax return deadline. Well, the clock is ticking.