Over 14 per cent of individual income taxpayers admitted that they will not be able to meet the July 31 deadline, showed a survey by LocalCircles on Friday. Out of 12,000 people who responded to this survey, 27 per cent admitted that they are still left to file their income tax returns.
The survey asked the question “How are you positioned to be able to file your individual income tax return for FY 2022-23 by the current deadline of July 31, 2023?” Of the over 12,000 who responded to this query 27% admitted that they are still to file their income tax returns. The data shows that while 7 in 10 have already filed their income tax returns; 5% of the respondents have tried but had difficulty in filing and will try again to file by July 31; 8% of those surveyed admitted that they haven’t filed their returns yet but will comfortably do so before month end; 5% admitted they haven’t filed it and it will take a significant effort to do so before the deadline and 9% indicated that it will be impossible for them to file the income tax returns by July 31. In effect, 14% of respondents admitted that they will likely be unable to file their income tax returns by the deadline.
Monsoon floods impacting ITR filing 2023
Chartered accountants believe that amid this rain fury and floods in several states, taxpayers are facing difficulty in filing ITRs, and the income tax department and the finance ministry might consider extending the deadline in these states. “Many taxpayers in these flood-affected states are facing hardships . There is a case for an exemption to these regions.
If you have not filed your income tax return (ITR) till now, do it before Monday, i.e July 31. Those missing the deadline will face strict penalty. The Income Tax Department has said that over five crore ITRs have been filed till July 27 this year.
“Out of the 5.03 crore ITRs filed till 27th July, 2023, about 4.46 crore ITRs have been e-verified i.e. more than 88% ITRs filed have been e-verified! Out of the e-verified ITRs, more than 2.69 crore ITRs have already been processed!” the Income Tax Department tweeted on Friday.
The I-T department also said it has set up a 24×7 helpdesk to provide support to the taxpayers via calls, live chats, Webex sessions and social media. The support will be provided till July 31, including the weekends.
On Saturday, the I-T department tweeted a reminder to the taxpayers to file their returns before the deadline. “Avoid last day rush. 3 days left to file your #ITR The due date to file your ITR for AY 2023-24 is 31st July, 2023. Remember to e-verify after filing”, the tweet read.
Revenue secretary Sanjay Malhotra on July 16 had asked all taxpayers to file their returns before July 31 as the Centre is not contemplating the extension of the deadline.
“We would like to thank income tax return filers as ITR filing has been at a much faster pace than last year and we would advise them not to wait to the last moment and also not to hope for any extensions. So, I would advise them to file their tax return at the earliest because the deadline of July 31 is approaching fast,” he was quoted by PTI as saying.