CA bodies including CAAS & BCAS urge CBDT to extend ITR & audit deadlines for AY 2025-26. Learn how to meet compliance and avoid penalties.

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Why Chartered Accountant Bodies Are Asking CBDT to Extend the ITR & Audit Deadlines for AY 2025-26: What You Need to Know


As the Income Tax Return (ITR) deadline for Assessment Year 2025-26 (FY 2024-25) approaches, many taxpayers, business owners, and CA professionals across India are raising concerns about several systemic issues that are making compliance difficult. In recent days, professional associations, including the Chartered Accountants Association, Surat (CAAS), have formally requested that the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) extend the deadlines for filing ITRs, tax audit reports, and related statutory responsibilities.

Here’s what you need to know — especially if you’re in Ahmedabad or Gujarat — and how Milind Joshi, CA at Maj Associates, can help you avoid penalties, stay compliant, and make the most of this period.

What are the current deadlines?

  • The deadline for ITR filing for individuals and entities not liable for audit was extended from 31 July 2025 to 15 September 2025. The Times of India+2PDICAI+2

  • The audit-related ITR filing and tax audit report deadlines (for entities subject to audit under Section 44AB etc.) remain tighter, and CA associations argue those deadlines didn’t get sufficient relief. Business Today+2A2ztaccorp+2

Why CA bodies want more time

The main reasons cited by CAAS, BCAS, CCATAX and others are:

  1. Late release of ITR / audit utilities and updated forms
    Many of the required tools (ITR-5, ITR-6, ITR-7, audit forms such as 3CA/3CB/3CD) were released quite late (in August), leaving very little time to prepare financial statements, reconciliations and reports. TaxGuru+2The Financial Express+2

  2. Technical glitches with the e-filing portal and data mismatches
    Issues like slow uploads, login / session timeouts, mismatches between AIS, Form 26AS and taxpayer data, validation failures etc. are being reported widely. 

  3. Compressed compliance window for audit cases
    Because audit entities need to do more work (finalizing accounts, reconciling books, preparing detailed audit reports), but with limited time due to delayed utilities, festivals, etc. CAAS argues this is unfair. 

  4. Overlapping statutory deadlines & increased burden of compliance
    Apart from ITR, there are GST, MCA, audit, etc., which also have timelines. The cumulative pressure is high. Business Today+1

What CA Associations are requesting

Some of the demands or proposals being made are:

  • Extending deadlines for ITR in audit cases, audit report submissions, transfer pricing, etc. 

  • “Time-compensation” rather than merely extension, meaning recognize the time lost due to delayed utilities or portal failures. 

  • Clear communication and stability of the web-portal, timely release of schemes, utilities, minimizing last-minute changes that burden taxpayers.

What this means for you (taxpayer / business)

  • Filing late or incorrectly can attract penalties, interest (under Sections like 234B etc.), notices from the Income Tax Department.

  • If deadlines for audit cases aren't extended, audit firms / CAs will need to work under tight time pressure, which may risk errors.

  • It's smart to engage a CA early, so you don’t get caught scrambling at the end. Maj Associates can help with audits, reconciliations, ITR filing etc., especially under these compressed timelines.

How Milind Joshi & Maj Associates Can Help

  • Proactive planning: start gathering documents, bookkeeping, reconciliation well in advance.

  • Experienced with audit format and utilities: familiar with ICAI’s Non-Corporate Entity (NCE) format etc., so less room for surprise.

  • Handling technicalities: resolving AIS/Form 26AS issues, ensuring full compliance, avoiding errors.

  • Guidance & peace of mind: ensure you meet whatever deadline applies, help apply for extensions or adjust strategy if CBDT grants them.

What you should do now

  1. Check whether your account is subject to audit (Section 44AB) or not.

  2. Start collecting financial statements, bank statements, Form 16 / 16A, Form 26AS etc.

  3. Contact a CA early (like Milind Joshi) to get proper guidance.

  4. Keep an eye on CBDT / ICAI notifications — extension might be announced.

  5. Don’t wait for the last minute: given uncertainties in portal, glitches etc., early filing reduces risk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Will CBDT definitely extend the ITR deadlines again?
A: No guarantee yet. Many bodies have requested it, but as of now no formal announcement for further extension beyond existing ones (for some categories).

Q2. What are the new penalties if you miss the current deadline?
A: Penalties depend on the type of filing (audit vs non-audit), and delay. Also interest under Section 234B, 234C etc.

Q3. How can I minimize risk if my deadline is tight?
A: Hire a CA, prepare documents in advance, reconcile differences between AIS / Form 26AS, avoid last-minute portal uploads.

Conclusion

The current situation is challenging, especially for businesses or individuals dealing with audits or complex returns. If you want peace of mind and ensure your tax compliance is done correctly, Maj Associates & Chartered Accountant Milind Joshi is ready to help. Don’t wait till the last moment — reach out now to get organized and avoid penalties.


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